Make Notepad++ Great Editing App with Plug-Ins

Notepad++ is an awesome replacement for Notepad within Windows and makes text editing and markup simple. For such a light, free app, it has a lot of functions. Functions that can be further enhanced by plugins. Here are some of the best Notepad++ plugins you can download right now.

Just like modern browser, Notepad++ supports a huge range of plugins that add power and functionality to the already excellent application. From coding to editing, navigation to coloring, there is something here for everyone.

How to install a Notepad++ plugin

1. Open Notepad++ and select Plugins.
2. Select Plugin Manager and then Show Plugin Manager. You should see a new window appear with a selection of plugins.
3. Select Settings in the bottom left and check the box next to Show unstable plugins and click OK. This will let you know what to expect with any plugin you add.
4. In the main window, all you need do is check the box next to a plugin and select the Install button.
5. Once installed, go back to Plugins and enable the one you just installed.

There is no need to go elsewhere to download these plugins as they are all included in the Plugin Manager. Simply find any of the below you want to add, check the box and install. That’s it! You may be prompted to allow Notepad++ to restart after each install, you can either load them all and restart or do it individually.

Whether you’re a coder, web designer, writer or editor, there is a Notepad++ plugin here that will make life just a little easier for you.

Explorer

Explorer was the first Notepad++ plugin I installed. It sets a small explorer window on the left side of the interface that allows you to quickly navigate your computer to find files. If you work with a lot of them, this plugin is invaluable. It works just like Windows Explorer and makes it simple to find what you’re looking for across a local computer or network drives.

Compare

I do a lot of work inside Notepad++ so Compare is essential for me. It does just what the title suggests, Compares your work to a saved copy so you can check editing, code or whatever. This is essential for more detailed work and is invaluable. It shows two files side by side and will scroll them both at the same time. Differences between the two files will be highlighted in different colors to make them so much easier to spot.

Multi Clipboard

If Microsoft Word had an option like Multi Clipboard, I would be so much happier to use it. Again as its name suggests, this Notepad++ plugin creates an editable clipboard that allows you to save a selection of text rather than just the last selection. It shows a small window on the left side of the pane and adds a line entry for each copy or cut you make. You can then select each one individually to paste into the file. It is a work of genius!

DSpellCheck

DSpellCheck is another plugin I use a lot. While I don’t depend on spellchecker in any application, it is a useful secondary check of my work. DSpellCheck does a good job of checking the spelling and can do it in a variety of languages. I write in three versions of English and this little plugin helps me with each of them.

FingerText

FingerText is very useful for speeding up HTML or CSS or general writing. When in this plugin, you set trigger text and bind it to a hotkey. It could be anything from a simple set of HTML code to a phrase you type a lot. You then set a hotkey to trigger that text and use it in documents. It is so simple yet saves so much time!

HTML Preview

HTML Preview is another useful Notepad++ plugin for both writers and coders. It allows you to view your work in an HTML page to see if it all looks nice. It only works in pure HTML, so won’t read a CSS stylesheet but for checking your workings out, it is very useful indeed.

TopMost

TopMost allows you to keep Notepad++ always on top of other programs.

Falling Bricks

Okay, Falling Bricks isn’t exactly a productivity plugin but it is a bit of light relief for if you have been staring at code all day. It’s a Tetris clone that runs inside Notepad++. It isn’t the most advanced game ever but it is fun and a little bit of relaxation while you rest your brain.