IDA Pro: use structs on parameters

Question

I have a small function that is given a struct as parameters. The struct looks to something like this:

struct my_struct {
  short a;
  unsigned int b;
  unsigned int c;
};

Taking care of the alignment I build the following struct in IDA:

field_0 +0x0
field_1 +0x4
field_2 +0x8

The compiler builds it so that it takes rbp+0x10 as the first field in the struct, rbp+0x14 as the second and so on. The problem now arises because if I try to apply the pre-defined IDA struct to the instructions, I always get something like [rbp+struct.field_0+0x10]. This get more complicated if there is actually something in my struct at +0x10, because then it just shows [rbp+struct_fieldX] (which is wrong).

The question is: Is there a way to tell IDA (I'm using 6.3) to apply the struct with an offset of 0x10?

The dirty trick for this simple case is to create a struct that has 2 size_t dummy fields for the RIP and SFP, but that does not seem to be right way to go here.

Answer 1

Add your struct in the function's stack view:

1. With your cursor in the function's disassembly view, press Ctrl+K to open the stack view.
2. In the stack view, ensure that enough function arguments exist to get to at least +00000010 in the stack. Use D to add more function arguments as necessary.
3. Position your cursor on the +00000010 line in the stack view and press Alt+Q to specify my_struct at that offset.