How to Compare Two Files in Notepad++

Helpful when collaborating on code

Need to compare the changes in two documents? Notepad won’t help you, but Notepad++ might. Notepad++ is a powerful text editor for Windows, offering many functionality and customization improvements over its similar namesake.

With the help of a third-party plugin, you can use Notepad++ to help identify differences between two versions of a text document.This is especially helpful when you’re collaborating on projects together or trying to revise some code.

To compare two files in Notepad++, follow these steps.

Installing the Compare Plugin in Notepad++

Unlike Microsoft Word, which allows you to compare Word documents, Notepad++ doesn’t include the ability to compare files by default. Instead, you’ll need a third-party plugin to enable the feature.

The well-namedCompareplugin for Notepad++ enables you to view the changes and differences between two text files side-by-side. While it doesn’t come preinstalled with Notepad++, you can install it quickly using these steps.

After completing these steps, you should have successfully installed the Compare plugin in your Notepad++ application. The plugin will now be accessible through thePluginsmenu.

To ensure it’s installed correctly, pressPlugins>Plugin Adminand check thatCompareis visible in theInstalledtab.

How to Compare Two Files in Notepad++

Once you’ve installed theCompareplugin, you can open and compare two documents in Notepad++. You’ll see the differences, line by line, across both documents.

To compare two files in Notepad++, follow these steps.

Using the Compare plugin, Notepad++ displays variations in the text using a simple color-coded system and symbols to give you a clear overview of the changes.

In the comparison process, you’ll encounter three main types of differences: added lines, deleted lines, and changed sections in lines.

Added lines are represented with agreen colorand a“+”symbol, while deleted lines appear inred colorwith a“-“symbol.

Changed sections within lines have a“≠”symbol and are also highlighted inred or greenfor deletion or addition, respectively.

Line numbers also play a crucial role in helping you navigate through the differences. The line numbers for both versions are displayed side by side, enabling you to keep track of the changes as you move through the files.

Customizing the Compare Plugin in Notepad++

You can customize the Compare plugin in Notepad++ to better suit your requirements. For instance, if you’re struggling with the colors in use, you can switch to alternatives.

You can also set other settings, such as text wrapping and file priority, in the Settings menu. To customize the Compare plugin in Notepad++, follow these steps.

Using Notepad++

Thanks to the steps above, you can quickly compare two files in Notepad++ using the Compare plugin. Notepad++ is an excellent alternative for opening large text files if your default text editor (like the original Notepad) struggles with them.

Notepad++ proves that you shouldn’t settle for the default applications on Windows. There areplenty of good alternative applicationsyou can try out next.

Ben Stockton is a freelance technology writer based in the United Kingdom. In a past life, Ben was a college lecturer in the UK, training teens and adults. Since leaving the classroom, Ben has taken his teaching experience and applied it to writing tech how-to guides and tutorials, specialising in Linux, Windows, and Android. He has a degree in History and a postgraduate qualification in Computing.Read Ben’s Full Bio

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