How to set the default language in Notepad++

languagenotepadxml

I mostly use Notepad++ for dealing with XML files. It would be good if Notepad++ parsed and colorized my files based on the XML language when I open the files. Instead, I have to open the file, pick XML from the Languages menu.

Is there a way to tell Notepad++ that XML is the default language and to treat the files accordingly.

Best Answer

In Notepad++ open the Preferences dialog box by clicking on Settings -> Preferences click on the New Document/Default Directory tab and change the Default Language to XML.

Notepad++ Preferences

EDIT: Just saw that you wanted it to apply to .config files as well. This can be done but you'll need to do it for every extension you want to override. Click on Settings -> Style Configurator scroll down to XML in the language section and add config to the User ext box. Save & Close and any new .config file opened will show up as XML. In fact, I've already done that for my installation as seen below:

Style Configurator

Related Solutions

How to tell Notepad++ to always use a particular language with a particular file extension

All you have to do is tell Notepad++ that "xul" files are actually "XML" files.

Go to Settings > Style Configurator
Under Language, scroll down and highlight "XML"
At the bottom, under User ext. type in "xul"
Press Save & Close
Open your file and it should now highlight properly.

Some other helpful links:

Firefox – How to get Firefox to open XML files in Notepad++ instead of in the browser

Holy cow! This issue drove me CRAZY all evening. I finally figured it out. I realize the original question was long ago, but I want this answer on the internet, so here goes:

Instead of adding an entry for XML, I had to update the extensions list for text/plain. Here is what the text/plain entry now looks like in my mimeTypes.rdf file. The file is located in the firefox profile folder, see firefox troubleshooting page (type about:support into the navigation bar) and under "Profile Folder" click on "Show Folder" then edit the mimeTypes.rdf file with notepad++.

  <RDF:Description RDF:about="urn:mimetype:text/plain"
                   NC:description="Text Document"
                   NC:value="text/plain"
                   NC:editable="true">
    <NC:fileExtensions>xml</NC:fileExtensions>
    <NC:fileExtensions>txt</NC:fileExtensions>
    <NC:handlerProp RDF:resource="urn:mimetype:handler:text/plain"/>
  </RDF:Description>

  <RDF:Description RDF:about="urn:mimetype:handler:text/plain"
                   NC:alwaysAsk="false"
                   NC:saveToDisk="false"
                   NC:useSystemDefault="false"
                   NC:handleInternal="false">
    <NC:externalApplication RDF:resource="urn:mimetype:externalApplication:text/plain"/>
  </RDF:Description>

  <RDF:Description RDF:about="urn:mimetype:externalApplication:text/plain"
                   NC:path="C:\Program Files\Notepad++\notepad++.exe"
                   NC:prettyName="notepad++.exe" />

Best Answer

Related Solutions

How to tell Notepad++ to always use a particular language with a particular file extension

Firefox – How to get Firefox to open XML files in Notepad++ instead of in the browser

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