Do you love to code on Notepad++ like me? You have come home, mate! I just love to write codes on Notepad++ for the simple, all-in-one, and user-friendly environment that the platform offers.
But, it is quite hard to differentiate between keywords, commands, etc., as Notepad++ doesn’t come with a pre highlighted text feature. To solve the issue, I have enabled and configured the Syntax Highlighting in Notepad++, and my coding experience has become a whole lot easier.
Aren’t you looking for this magical feature? Well, say no more! I’ll share the methods that I have used to highlight the syntax in Notepad++.
So read the full article to know how to configure syntax highlighting in Notepad++ in no time!
Why is Syntax Highlighting Important?
Syntax highlighting lets you set different color schemes for various keywords. It helps the coder clearly identify the keywords, commands, and comments quickly. You will have difficulty identifying any lines as the code looks like a plain text file if the highlighting feature is off.
Notepad++ is not like some other rich coding softwares. It offers a simple, clean coding experience. That’s why Notepad++ doesn’t come with many features built in. You just have to add the feature you need.
Notepad++ doesn’t come with the syntax highlighting feature turned on by default. As a result, you often face difficulties identifying any problem inside your code. Syntax highlighting can help you set free from this misery.
Look at the picture following. I know you will agree with me on the fact that highlighted texts are more visible than the non highlighted ones.
Also, check our exclusive tutorial on Column Mode in Notepad++.
How to Set the Syntax Highlighting in Notepad++
Notepad++ has 87 pre-configured languages built into it. You can add new language definitions and can even define your own language. You can add your own syntax highlighting in Notepad++.
Here is how you can enable syntax highlighting in Notepad++:
- Open Notepad++.
- Click on the Language tab.
- Select the exact language from the second level of the drop-down menu.
You can configure the highlighting to your preferences. That means you can configure each and every syntax color.
Check out the easiest way to display documents side by side in Notepad++.
Here is the method to configure syntax highlighting in Notepad++:
- Open Notepad++.
- Click on the Settings tab.
- Choose Style Configurator…
- Select the language you want to configure highlighting colors.
- Choose any feature from the style menu.
- Click on the Foreground color and Background color, respectively, to choose your preferred color.
- Hit Save & Close.
As I have mentioned before, you can even define your own language in Notepad++. And you can configure syntax highlighting for that language as well.
Here are the steps to add User Defined Language in Notepad++:
- Open Notepad++.
- Click on the Language tab.
- Navigate to User Define Language.
- Select Define your language…
- Enter the details to add your new language.
Also, check out our separate post on troubleshooting Notepad not saving.
How to Fix Syntax Highlighting not Working in Notepad++
The highlighting feature may not work sometimes. This situation can arise if Notepad++ is having any issues. You may not see some or any highlighted syntax at all in your previously saved works, even if the highlighting feature is turned on.
Here are the methods to fix syntax highlighting not working in Notepad++:
1. Enable the Syntax Highlighting again
You can fix this problem by enabling the syntax highlighting feature again. This process should fix the issue you are facing.
Here is how you can enable highlighting:
- Open the files of your work on Notepad++.
- Click on the Language tab.
- Select the exact language from the second level of the drop-down menu.
2. Update Notepad++
Notepad++ may often face file missing, bugs, etc. These can be the reasons for not working on highlighting features. An update can fix this issue.
Usually, the notepad++ gets updated automatically. If you used the installation package to install it, the auto update option is switched on instantly. You will see an auto updater (WinGUp) prompt every 15 days.
Or, you can simply uninstall the previous version from your system and get the latest one from the main website.
Here’s a complete guide on how to enable word wrap in Notepad.
3. Reset to Default
You can fix the syntax highlighting not working issue by deleting/resetting the configuration files.
Here is the method to delete the configuration files of Notepad++:
- Close the Notepad++ completely if it is running in the background.
- Go to the following directory: C:\Users\%UserName%\AppData\Roaming\notepad++
- Delete all or selected configuration files (.xml) you want to remove from that folder.
- Open Notepad++ again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I code in any language on Notepad++?
Yes, you can. Notepad offers 87 programming languages. So if you don’t write codes in extremely rare languages, notepad++ is all that you need.
What is the file limit of Notepad++?
Notepad++ only supports text files that are no larger than 2 gigabytes. The older version of notepad only supports up to 512 megabytes of files.
How to count lines in Notepad?
Notepad shows the line number at the bottom right corner of the status bar. But you can also check the line number by pressing Ctrl + G from the keyboard.
Conclusion
There you go! Go to the Notepad++ settings and then select style configurator to configure your Notepad++ syntax highlighting. Take your time and configure the highlight color according to your preference.
Thanks for reading this article. Hopefully, my guidelines helped you configure the syntax highlighting effortlessly. If you still have any queries, write them down in the comments section. I will be there to help you again.
Peace!
