Sorting lines in Notepad++ without the TextFX plugin

notepadpluginssorting

The current version of Notepad++ (at the time of this writing) is 6.6.3. Version 6.5.2 is the first that introduced a native (without a plugin) sorting function. At least, that's what they claim; even though we're nine releases after version 6.5.2, I have found nothing about this feature:

  • There is no sign of it in the menu (or I am blind),
  • There isn't even a word in Notepad++ documentation (online help).

Everything I read around the Internet (including this answer) still talks about sorting lines using the TextFX plugin. There isn't anything about a native (QuickSort-based) function.

So: How do I sort lines in Notepad++ without using the TextFX plugin?

Best Answer

The proper menu option is as follows.

For all versions prior to 6.8.3:

Menu Edit → Line Operations → Sort Lines in Ascending / Descending Order

For version 6.8.3 and following:

Menu Edit → Line Operations → Sort Lines Lexicographically Ascending / Descending

Select a few lines and your selection will be sorted. If there's no selection, your entire file will be sorted.

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