Whether you're a programmer looking for a simple solution to dump your code, or you're searching for an easy-to-use text editor with more shazam, Notepad++ is a fine choice.
Available for Windows, Notepad++ is a free text and source code editor that offers persistent tabs that auto-save your content. It might not display all of the bells and whistles on first look, but Notepad++ certainly offers much more than Windows' native Notepad. Plus, best of all, it's free.
To help you use Notepad++ like a pro, we've put together this mega list of all the keyboard shortcuts you need to know.
FREE DOWNLOAD: This cheat sheet is available as a downloadable PDF from our distribution partner, TradePub. You will have to complete a short form to access it for the first time only. Download the Notepad++ Windows Keyboard Shortcuts Cheat Sheet.
Notepad++ Windows Keyboard Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| File Menu | |
| Ctrl + O | Open the File |
| Ctrl + N | New File |
| Ctrl + S | Save File |
| Ctrl + Alt + S | Save As |
| Ctrl + Shift + S | Save All |
| Ctrl + P | Print the File |
| Alt + F4 | Exit the File |
| Ctrl + Tab | Open the next Document |
| Ctrl + Shift + Tab | Open the previous Document |
| Ctrl + W | Close current Document |
| Ctrl + Numpad | Navigate to the n-th Document |
| Edit Menu | |
| Ctrl + C | Copy |
| Ctrl + Insert | Copy |
| Ctrl + Shift + T | Copy the current line to the clipboard |
| Ctrl + X | Cut |
| Shift + Delete | Cut |
| Ctrl + V | Paste |
| Shift + Insert | Paste |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo |
| Alt + Backspace | Undo |
| Ctrl + Y | Redo |
| Ctrl + A | Select All |
| Alt + Shift + Arrow Keys | Column Mode Select |
| Ctrl + Left Mouse Click | Start the new selected area |
| ALT + C | Column Editor |
| Ctrl + D | Duplicate the Current Line |
| Ctrl + T | Switch the current line position with the previous line position |
| Ctrl + Shift + Up | Move the Current Line |
| Ctrl + Shift + Down | Move the Current Line |
| Ctrl + Left Mouse Click | Delete the Current Line |
| Ctrl + I | Split Lines |
| Ctrl + J | Join Lines |
| Ctrl + G | Launch the GoToLine Dialog |
| Ctrl + Q | Single line comment |
| Ctrl + Shift + Q | Single line uncomment |
| Ctrl + K | Toggle the single line comment |
| Ctrl + Shift + K | Block comment |
| Tab | Insert indent |
| Shift + Tab | Insert outdent |
| Ctrl + Backspace | Delete to the start of the word |
| Ctrl + Delete | Delete to the end of the word |
| Ctrl + Shift + Backspace | Delete to the start of the line |
| Ctrl + Shift + Delete | Delete to the end of the line |
| Ctrl + U | Convert to lower case |
| Ctrl + Shift + U | Convert to upper case |
| Ctrl + B | Go to matching brace |
| Ctrl + Space | Launch the CallTip ListBox |
| Ctrl + Shift + Space | Launch the Function Completion ListBox |
| Ctrl + Alt + Space | Launch the Path Completion ListBox |
| Ctrl + Enter | Launch the Word Completion ListBox |
| Ctrl + Alt + R | Text Direction RTL |
| Ctrl + Alt + L | Text Direction LTR |
| Enter | Split the line downwards |
| Shift + Enter | Split the line downwards |
| Ctrl + Alt + Enter | Insert new unindented line above the current one |
| Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Enter | Insert new unindented line below the current one |
| Search Menu | |
| Ctrl + F | Launch Find Dialog |
| Ctrl + H | Launch Find/Replace Dialog |
| F3 | Find Next |
| Shift + F3 | Find Previous |
| Ctrl + Shift + F3 | Find in Files |
| F7 | Switch to the Search Results window |
| Ctrl + Alt + F3 | Find (volatile) Next |
| Ctrl + Alt + Shift + F3 | Find (volatile) Previous |
| Ctrl + F3 | Select and Find Next |
| Ctrl + Shift + F3 | Select and Find Previous |
| F4 | Got to next found |
| Shift + F4 | Go to previous found |
| Ctrl + Shift + I | Incremental Search |
| Ctrl + N | Jump Down |
| Ctrl + Shift + N | Jump Up |
| Ctrl + F2 | Toggle Bookmark |
| F2 | Go to the Next Bookmark |
| Shift + F2 | Go to the Previous Bookmark |
| Ctrl + B | Go to the Matching Brace |
| Ctrl + Alt + B | Select All between the Matching Braces |
| Macro Menu | |
| Ctrl + Shift + R | Start to record / Stop recording the macro |
| Ctrl + Shift + P | Play the recorded macro |
| Alt + Shift + S | Trim Trailing and Save |
| Run Menu | |
| F5 | Launch Run Dialog |
| Alt + F1 | Get PHP help |
| Alt + F2 | Google search |
| Alt + F3 | Wikipedia search |
| Alt + F5 | Open file |
| Alt + F6 | Open file in another instance |
| Ctrl + Alt + Shift + R | Open in Chrome |
| Ctrl + Alt + Shift + X | Open in Firefox |
| Ctrl + Alt + Shift + I | Open in IE |
| Ctrl + Alt + Shift + F | Open in Safari |
| Ctrl + Alt + Shift + O | Send via Outlook |
| Incremental Search | |
| Enter | Next match |
| Shift + Enter | Previous match |
| View Menu | |
| Ctrl + (Keypad-/Keypad+) | Zoom in and zoom out |
| Ctrl + Keypad/ | Restore the original size |
| F11 | Toggle full screen |
| F12 | Toggle Post-It mode |
| Ctrl + Alt + F | Collapse the current level |
| Ctrl + Alt + Shift + F | Uncollapse the current level |
| Alt + 0 | Fold all |
| Alt + (1~8) | Collapse the level (1~8) |
| Alt + Shift + 0 | Unfold all |
| Alt + Shift + (1~8) | Uncollapse the level (1~8) |
The Quest Is Over for a Great Text Editor
Notepad++ is a multifunctional text editor, with syntax highlighting and autocomplete functions for keen programmers. This free open-source editor comes with the standard features you'd expect, as well as support for over 50 programming and markup languages.
And for those that are environmentally conscious, Notepad++ uses less CPU power in order to reduce your PC's power consumption. You can't get better than that!
How to Install the Notepad++ Plugin Manager to Manage Plugins Read NextShareTweetShareEmail Related TopicsAbout The AuthorGeorgie Peru(137 Articles Published)Georgie is MakeUseOf's Buyer's Guides Editor and a freelance writer with 10+ years of experience. She has a hunger for all things tech and a passion for helping others.
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