How to Set up Dark Mode in Notepad++

Edited 3 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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In this detailed guide, we focus on enabling dark mode in Notepad++, a popular text editor among developers and casual users. Notepad++ stands out as a free, open-source editor with a wide range of features that attract a global user base. One of the most loved features today is dark mode, which offers a modern aesthetic and reduces eye strain during long coding sessions or writing tasks. Dark mode is especially beneficial in low-light environments.

This guide will walk you through the dark mode setup process in detail. We'll cover different ways to achieve it, explain alternative nighttime readability strategies, and also provide insight into customizing the theme to suit personal preferences. Let's take a deeper look at enabling dark mode in Notepad++ and tweak it for optimal use.

Method 1: Using the built-in Notepad++ themes

The easiest way to enable dark mode in Notepad++ is to use the built-in themes feature. Notepad++ includes several themes, many of which offer dark backgrounds. Here is a step-by-step guide to explore this feature:

1. Open Notepad++. If you haven't installed it yet, download the latest version from the official Notepad++ website, install it, and launch the program.
2. Go to the menu bar at the top of the window.
3. Click Settings menu, and then choose Style Configurator... from the drop-down menu. This opens the Style Configurator dialog box.
4. In the Style Configurator, you'll see Select theme: This drop-down list contains a variety of themes you can choose from.
5. Check out dark themes like Obsidian, Twilight, Deep Black or Half-Life. Choose one of them and see how the editor's appearance changes in real time.
6. Once you find a theme you like, click Save & Close to apply the theme. This will change the background and text color for all documents in Notepad++.

It's important to note that these dark themes can vary considerably in color combinations, so you may want to try several themes to find the one that best suits your needs.

Method 2: Customizing the theme manually

If the existing themes don’t meet your preferences, Notepad++ allows you to manually customize the theme colors using the Style Configurator. Here's how you can do it:

1. Open Style Configurator... via Settings in the menu bar.
2. Choose a base theme that is close to your preference but needs changes. Alternatively, if you plan to make the theme completely dark, you can start with the default or any of the light-themed options.
3. Within each theme, there is a style list with categories like Default style, Python, HTML, etc. Each language or file type can have different styles.
4. To adjust the colors, highlight a style (such as Global override), and you'll see checkboxes and color pickers on the right panel for Foreground and Background.
5. Tick the boxes next to Foreground and Background to activate the color change and choose the colors you want. For dark mode, typically, you would set Background to a dark color and Foreground (text color) to a light color.
6. Go to each relevant style category that you commonly use and set the colors accordingly.
7. Once you're satisfied, click Save & Close. Your personalized dark-themed settings will be saved for future sessions.

Customizing themes can be a beneficial process because it allows precise control over your coding environment, which can enhance productivity and visual comfort.

Benefits of using dark mode

Before we proceed further, let us highlight some of the key benefits of using dark mode:

• Reduced eye strain: Dark mode can reduce screen brightness, making your eyes less tired when working on a screen for long periods of time.
• Better battery life: On OLED screens, dark themes consume less power, which can improve battery life.
• Improve focus: With reduced brightness, dark mode can help some users focus better on their work.
• Aesthetic preference: Many users prefer dark mode over traditional light interfaces.

Advanced method: Creating a custom theme

If you're adventurous, Notepad++ also allows creating entirely new themes via its themes folder. Here's a comprehensive guide to doing so:

1. Go to the Notepad++ directory on your computer. This is usually found at C:\Program Files\Notepad++\themes or %AppData%\Notepad++\themes.
2. Create a new XML file in this directory. For naming convenience, you can call it something like MyCustomDarkTheme.xml.
3. Open this new XML file in Notepad++ or any text editor of your choice.
4. Every Notepad++ theme is XML-based, and you will need to define several elements to suit the appearance of the interface. Here's a basic structure:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <NotepadPlus> <Theme name="My Custom Dark Theme" styleExt="xml" isDarkBg="yes"> <GlobalStyles> <GlobalStyle name="Default Style" fgColor="E0E0E0" bgColor="0F0F0F" fontName="Consolas" fontSize="10" /> </GlobalStyles> </Theme> </NotepadPlus>
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <NotepadPlus> <Theme name="My Custom Dark Theme" styleExt="xml" isDarkBg="yes"> <GlobalStyles> <GlobalStyle name="Default Style" fgColor="E0E0E0" bgColor="0F0F0F" fontName="Consolas" fontSize="10" /> </GlobalStyles> </Theme> </NotepadPlus>

5. Here, we have set bgColor to a dark color (0F0F0F) and fgColor or foreground text to a light color (E0E0E0).
6. Discover more tags by referencing existing XML theme files in the directory. You can set styles for specific languages like HTML, Python, etc. using separate style tags.
7. Save your XML file and relaunch Notepad++. Your new theme should appear in Select theme: dropdown inside Style Configurator.

This method is more technical, but is excellent for users who want complete control over the aesthetic of their text editor environment.

Troubleshooting common problems

It's rare to have problems after changing themes in Notepad++, but it can happen. Here are the most frequently occurring problems and their solutions:

• Text visibility: If text disappears or is hard to read, you may have accidentally set the text to the same color as the background. Visit Style Configurator again to adjust the colors.
• Theme not listed: If a newly created theme is not displayed, make sure the XML file is saved in the correct themes directory, and make sure Notepad++ is restarted after any changes.
• Font issues: Check if Notepad++ supports the selected font. Fonts with incompatible or incorrect names may not display as intended.

Optional: Nighttime environment adjustment

If dark mode isn’t fully meeting your needs or if the customization is insufficient, consider other environment adjustments to complement it:

• Screen brightness: Adjust your monitor's brightness and contrast, pairing with dark mode for a balanced view.
• Blue light filters: Available in the operating system settings or through third-party apps, these filters can further reduce eye strain.
• Ambient lighting: Use desk lamps with warm colors to create a cozy, eye-friendly workspace late at night.

In short, enabling dark mode in Notepad++ enhances usability in many ways, each step and additional customization can lead to a unique, personalized editing experience. Whether you choose the built-in themes or change your own, Notepad++ offers the flexibility to meet different preferences, enabling a comfortable and efficient coding environment.

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