Visual Studio Code (Mac OS) rename symbol doesn't work

Question

When I right click and try to rename a variable name in Microsoft Visual Studio Code on Mac OS Mojave, it prompts for the new name, I hit enter and nothing happens.

I have Python extension and Latex extension installed.

Usually there are no errors, no nothing.

Sometimes, there's a little box that pops up saying "No Result. No Result".

The python interpreter I selected was a Conda install.

I ensured rope, and pylint were installed.

Expected behaviour: right click > rename symbol > type new name > enter > all instances of variable renamed.

Observed behaviour right click > rename symbol > type new name > enter > variable has same name everywhere, including spot of renaming.

Answer 1

It turns out the solution was simple, but frustrating. To do refactoring in VS Code (at least for python) you need to be in a workspace.

I solved the problem by first closing the open folder I was in:

File > Close Folder.

then navigating to a sub folder of .py file I was editing, and opening it. In my case it was

1. Click the little document icon in the upper left of screen
2. In the welcome screen, choose "open folder"
3. navigate to my desktop folder (where my .py file is)

Now refactoring works as expected

Click on file icon in upper left of screen > in the welcome screen