This page contains useful hints in question and answer format to help you use Scid better. If you are new to Scid, please read the quick guide first. Most of the information on this page is available in more detail on the other help pages listed in the index. If you think of a useful hint to add to this page, please send it to the author of Scid.
Yes, you can add databases, PGN files or EPD files to the command line. For example:
Yes, you can use the shortcut keys Control+Shift+LeftArrow and Control+Shift+RightArrow to decrease or increase the board size.
You can hide the next move by pressing the right mouse button in the game information area, and selecting Hide next move from the menu that appears.
The ECO code is displayed on the bottom line of the game
information box, below the chessboard in the main window,
if you have the ECO classification file (scid.eco) loaded.
The ECO codes help page explains how to load the ECO classification
file and save options so it will be loaded every time you start Scid.
You can use the Import window; see the entering moves help page for more information.
Use the database switcher window: drag from the source database to the target database to copy all games in the source database filter.
Turn it off with the Ask before replacing moves option in the [Options: Moves] menu. Or, get into the habit of taking back moves using the right-mouse button, which actually removes the move from the game if you are at the last move of the game.
Click the left or right mouse button on each column title.
Use the clipbase. Set your database filter to contain the games you want to use the tree on, then copy them to the clipbase using the database switcher. Then, just open the tree window in the clipbase.
Save the Tree cache often, to save tree results for future use. See the caching section of the Tree help page for details.
You cannot use the PGN window to edit the current game, but you can still edit its PGN representation using the Import game window. Just open it (shortcut key: Control+Shift+I) and then press the Paste current game button, then edit the game, then press Import.
You can edit individual names or spellcheck all the names in a database with the commands in the [File: Maintenance] menu. See the maintenance page.
In the large database, open the tree window and press the Lock button to lock the tree to that database. Then switch to the other database, and the tree will continue to show data for the large database.