How to Customize Syntax Highlighting in Notepad++

Edited 3 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Notepad++ is a popular text and source code editor that many developers and programmers love to use. It is open-source, which means it is free to use and supported by the community. One of its most attractive features is syntax highlighting. Syntax highlighting makes your code more readable by color-coding various elements such as keywords, variables, strings, and more. However, you may not like the default colors, or perhaps you want to add support for a new programming language. Thankfully, Notepad++ allows users to create and customize syntax highlighting as they wish. This guide will provide a detailed explanation on how to customize syntax highlighting for Notepad++.

Understanding syntax highlighting

Syntax highlighting is a feature that displays source code in different colors and fonts according to the category of words. For example, keywords, variables, operators, and other elements of programming languages can be given different colors to help users easily distinguish between them. The main goal is to provide better visibility and organization when reviewing and writing code. Notepad++ allows users to define and modify these rules for highlighting through its system of language definitions called "user defined languages" (UDL).

User defined language (UDL)

Notepad++ includes a UDL system, which allows users to create their own language definitions or modify existing definitions. This way you can customize syntax highlighting to suit your needs. With UDL, you can set the styles, keywords, comments, and delimiters that make up a language's particular syntax. You can create a definition from scratch or clone and customize an existing definition. Below, we'll go into detail about creating a customized syntax highlighting scheme using UDL.

Creating a new user defined language

To create a new user-defined language, follow these simple steps:

1. Open Notepad++.
2. Go to the "Language" menu on the top menu bar.
3. In the dropdown, select "Set your language...". This will open the User Defined Language dialog box.
4. Click "Create New" to define a new language. A prompt will appear asking for a name for your new language, so enter a desired name and click "OK."

Defining keywords

Keywords in a language usually have a specific purpose and the editor can use them for convenient highlighting. Notepad++ lets you easily categorize and color these keywords:

• In the User Defined Language dialog, go to the "Keyword List" tab.
• Here, you will find several categories (Keyword Lists 1-8). Add your keywords to these lists according to your preference or logical classification.
• Select the "Styler..." button next to each listing to define the font style, color, etc. for these keywords. A dialog box will open with styling options.

Setting up comments

Comments are an integral part of any code, providing important information for anyone reading the code. Different languages have different comment syntax:

• In the User Defined Language dialog, go to the "Comments and Numbers" tab.
• Define single-line and multi-line comments. For example, in C-like languages, single-line comments begin with //, and multi-line comments are spaced between /* and */.
• Select the "Styler..." button to set the appearance of these comments (color, font style, etc.).

Delimiters and operators

Delimiters and operators often require special highlighting rules to distinguish them from regular text:

• Go to the "Operators and Delimiters" tab under the User Defined Language dialog.
• Here, you can specify various operators and delimiters, such as braces {}, brackets [], etc.
• As in the previous steps, use the "Styler..." button to specify a style.

Defining numbers

Numbers often need different styling to distinguish them from strings and variables:

• In the "Comments & Numbering" tab, you can determine how numbers will appear in your code through various check boxes and options.
• If your language supports specific number bases or requires special formatting, you can configure it here.

Folders and default tabs

This tab is not about folding code like in some IDEs, but about formatting sections and text using start and end pairs:

• Customize these settings to organize, establish borders, and format related parts of the code.
• Adjust settings to refine how your code is read; pairs help group linguistic blocks, sections, or code fragments.

Styling and testing

Once you've applied these settings, type code in the main window to see how your styles look. Here are some more tips:

• Test with a sample snippet of your target language to make sure all elements are highlighted according to your settings.
• Adjust the styles until you’re satisfied with the visual output.

Sharing and exporting your language

Once you've customized your syntax highlighting to your liking, you may want to share it with others or use it on another machine. Here's how to export and import your user-defined language:

Export your language

• Go to the "Language" menu and select "Set your language...".
• Select your language from the list and click the “Export” button.
• This will create an XML file representing your language definition. Save this file for later use or sharing.

Importing a language

• When you want to import a new or shared language file, go to "Set your language..." again.
• Click "Import..." and select the XML file for your preferred language.
• After this, the language will be available in your list.

Updating and deleting unwanted entries

If you find that your language definitions need updating or you want to remove unwanted entries, the UDL system makes this simple:

• To update a language, edit the existing language definition according to your new requirements via the "Define your language" dialog.
• To remove, select the language and use the "Delete" button.

Advanced customization

If you are more adventurous and require a higher level of customization, Notepad++ allows users to make changes directly to the XML configuration.

Modifying XML files

• Locate the User Defined Languages folder inside the Notepad++ installation directory.
• If you need special elements that are not possible through the UI, the XML configuration for languages can be changed with a text editor.
• Be careful when making changes, as incorrect configuration may result in incorrect highlighting.

Referencing user communities

Another way to make sure your syntax highlighting is on point is to get involved with the Notepad++ community and resources:

• Forums and online communities can provide XML files and correction guidelines for completing difficult syntax highlighting tasks.
• Open-source repositories may contain examples of user-defined language files for various specific programming languages.

Conclusion

Customizing syntax highlighting in Notepad++ can dramatically improve code readability and organization. By taking advantage of the built-in user defined language system, you can tailor language definitions to suit your personal preferences and needs. Whether starting with built-in templates or creating a custom set from scratch, the process can become a fun and rewarding experience. As your familiarity with Notepad++ grows, you may find it to be an indispensable tool in your coding toolkit.

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