How to Replace Text in Multiple Files in Notepad++

Edited 3 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Notepad++ is a popular text and source code editor that is widely used by developers and individuals who need a powerful tool to edit text files. One of the great features of Notepad++ is that it can replace text in multiple files at once. This can be a huge time-saver if you need to make extensive changes to multiple documents. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the process of replacing text in multiple files using Notepad++. The explanation will include every detail to help you perform this task efficiently.

Overview of Notepad++

Notepad++ is an open-source text editor that offers a wide range of features, including syntax highlighting, code folding, and advanced search and replace capabilities. It supports multiple programming languages and is highly customizable, making it a favorite among coders and writers alike. Notepad++ runs on the Windows operating system, and its functionality can be extended through plugins.

Why replace text in multiple files?

There may be many instances where you need to change text in multiple files. For example, if you are working on a large project and you need to update the name of a variable or function in multiple files, making these changes manually is time consuming and prone to errors. Automating this process with Notepad++ can greatly improve productivity and accuracy.

Preparatory steps before replacement

Before you begin the process of converting text in multiple files, make sure you have the following things ready:

• Backup your files: It is always a good practice to create a backup of your files before making important changes.
• Notepad++: Make sure you have the latest version installed on your system. If you haven’t installed it yet, you can download it from the official website.

Steps to replace text in multiple files

Step 1: Open Notepad++

Launch Notepad++ on your computer. You will see the main editor interface. Notepad++ has a simple and intuitive UI, making it easy to navigate.

Step 2: Access the 'Convert to Files' option

To start the text replacement process, you need to access the 'Replace in files' option. Follow these steps:

1. Click the "Search" menu at the top of the window. This will display a dropdown menu with various search and replacement options.
2. Select the "Find in files..." option from the dropdown list. This will open the 'Find in files' dialog box.

Step 3: Configure the replacement settings

In the 'Find in Files' dialog box, you will need to configure the settings to perform the replacement operation. Here's how:

• Find what: Enter the text string you want to find in the input box provided. This is the text you want to replace in the files.
• Replace with: Enter the new text string that will replace the old text. This can be a word, phrase, or series of characters, depending on your need.
• Filter: Specify the file types to include in the search. For example, to include only certain file types, use filters such as *.txt, *.html, or *.cpp. To search all file types, use *.*
• Directory: Here you need to enter the path of the folder where the files are located. You can type the path manually or click on the “…” button to browse to the desired directory.
• Match case: If this option is selected, the search will distinguish between uppercase and lowercase characters. Use this if you need case-sensitive replacement.
• Match whole word only: Enable this if you want to replace the entire word exactly as specified without replacing partial matches.
• Search Mode: Choose between Normal, Extended (for escape sequences) and Regular Expression (for regex patterns) to determine how the search should be performed.

Step 4: Perform the replacement operation

Once you have set up the configuration and made sure everything is correct, you can proceed with the replacement. Click the "Replace in files" button located at the bottom of the dialog box. Notepad++ will start searching for text in the directory specified to replace and apply the changes to all files that meet the criteria you have given.

Step 5: Closing and Review

When Notepad++ completes the replacement process, it will provide you with a summary in the output window, which shows how many occurrences were found and replaced. It is advisable to review a few of the replaced files to ensure that the operation has been performed as expected and confirm that no additional editing is required. It may be helpful to open a few modified files and check that the replacement has been performed correctly.

Example use case

Consider a scenario where you have a set of HTML files that reference an old CSS class called oldClass. You have updated your stylesheet and need to replace this class with newClass in all these HTML files.

1. In the "Find what:" field, type oldClass.
2. In the "Replace with:" field, type newClass.
3. To process only HTML files, specify the filter as *.html.
4. Enter the directory path where your HTML files are located.
5. Click "Convert to Files" to replace oldClass with newClass.

Benefits of using Notepad++ for this task

• Efficiency: Automating the replacement process saves time compared to manual editing.
• Accuracy: Reduces the risk of errors occurring during manual search and replacement.
• Flexibility: Supports complex search patterns via regular expressions, allowing for more precise modification.
• Versatility: Can handle various file types and large directory structures.

Advanced options

For users who need more than basic replacements, Notepad++ provides the following advanced features:

• Regular Expressions: Using regular expressions (regex) allows you to define complex search patterns and replace conditions.
• Escape sequences: Using escape sequences you can search and replace special characters such as newline (\n) and tab (\t).

Conclusion

The ability to replace text in multiple files in Notepad++ is a powerful feature that serves as a valuable tool for anyone working with large amounts of text or code files. With its user-friendly interface and extensive configuration, Notepad++ simplifies the process of making bulk changes, ensuring both efficiency and effectiveness. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can confidently leverage Notepad++ to streamline your text replacement tasks, whether they involve straightforward text replacements or sophisticated regex-based conversions. Remember, understanding the configuration and setting your criteria correctly is the cornerstone of successful batch replacement in Notepad++.

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