Here’s a short tip on how to align columns (separated by comma or other character) for text files in Notepad++ for increased readability.
When a delimited text file is opened in Notepad++ (or any other text editor), the content may look something like this:
Non aligned columns in Notepad++
Since the columns aren’t aligned, it is quite hard to read the data.
To make the columns aligned (e.g. like in Excel), the plugin TextFX can be used. In Notepad++, select Plugins -> Plugin Manager and check the plugin to install:
TextFX plugin download
Restart Notepad++ when prompted.
Copy the character that is used as a column delimiter (in the example above it is “;”) and select all rows. Next, select TextFX -> TextFX Edit -> Line up multiple lines by (Clipboard Character):
TextFX Line up multiple lines by
Now the result should be much more readable:
Aligned columns in Notepad++
And here is the text that I used in my example:
PK;Name;InvoiceNumber;InvoiceDate;ReferenceNumber;DueDate;Amount 12688564;Tomas Lind;123456;2016-02-17;111;2016-03-17;1000 101;Mr X;88;2016-02-07;0;2016-03-17;100
This plugin doesn’t work with Tab-Delimited txt files.
Hi, as a workaround, you can search and replace tab with | for instance.
good work around; thanks!
Just what I was looking for, thanks!
Thanks! This is what I was looking for
This isn’t working on my CSV. After about the 4th column in extra spaces appear on certain rows pushing things out of line. Re-running the line up command doesn’t fix it.
You probably have quotes or doublequotes in your content; it recognizes them as something that negates the delimiter
This happened to me too – because I didn’t read the instruction thoroughly…
1. Copy the delimiting character
2. Select All rows
3. Follow the TextFX menu instructions above
No, that’s not it; i did read and do as described. Removing double quotes worked.
I keep trying to do this but am seeing this error, “This tool requires more than one line be selected.” So, I select all and then see another warning “This tool requires exactly one character in the clipboard.” I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong. 🙂 I appreciate any help, in advance.
Hi, I haven’t seen that error… Are you sure you have only one character copied?
This happened to me too – because I didn’t read the instruction thoroughly…
1. Copy the delimiting character
2. Select All rows
3. Follow the TextFX menu instructions above
Thanks! Notepad++ continues to amaze me.
Not working for csv files T____T
This is really awesome and very helpful. Thank you.
It’s a great Idea BUT!!!
In most of the work I do the separator MUST immediately follow the data which means the added spaces have to come BEFORE the data not after.
The following is an example but you will have to paste it into Notepadd++ to undo the silly “rich text” interference.
Original
P 5.3170, 23.2019, 0.0020, 127, 0, 127, 3, Exterminator_Valern
P 685.0489, 61.0334, -13.9980, 0, 127, 0, 3, Tolkar_Parlone
P 321.0277, 93.7604, 0.0020, 0, 0, 0, 3, Tacar_Tissleplay
What TextFX did
P 5.3170 , 23.2019, 0.0020 , 127, 0 , 127, 3, Exterminator_Valern
P 685.0489, 61.0334, -13.9980, 0 , 127, 0 , 3, Tolkar_Parlone
P 321.0277, 93.7604, 0.0020 , 0 , 0 , 0 , 3, Tacar_Tissleplay
What I needed TextFX to do
P 5.3170, 23.2019, 0.0020, 127, 0, 127, 3, Exterminator_Valern
P 685.0489, 61.0334, -13.9980, 0, 127, 0, 3, Tolkar_Parlone
P 321.0277, 93.7604, 0.0020, 0, 0, 0, 3, Tacar_Tissleplay
Well forget the example from my previous post. The forum removed all the fixes from my example and set EVERYTHING to one space only between blocks of text.
Either way what I’m getting at is just that you can’t put spaces after the data b4 its comma… You have to back up and add the spaces b4 the data and then move on the the next one.
Is there a workaround for a two characters delimiter? For example |~. The error message states only one character should be copied.
Thanks in advance.
Hi, as you noted the plugin requires that you use only one character. But would it be possible to replace |~ with only one character?
Tomas, thanks for getting back with me on this. No I can switch out any of the characters. Since I work with medical data we have a standard for delimiters. Thanks for your help, highly appreciated.
hi. what if there are no plugins available on my plugin manager?
If you want to edit a tab delimited CSV and Google lands you here, there’s a plugin called Elastic Tabstops that does the job.
More here: http://nickgravgaard.com/elastic-tabstops/
you, sir, are a star!
7.5.8 64 bit plugin manager does not have TetFX. Any suggestions for working with CSV to see the columns align?
(next to uninstalling x64 and installing the 32 bit version)
Thx a lot for this guide!
Nice. I had to work a bit to revert it though (I needed to do this to update the text in 1 column of a CSV text file and I didn’t want to use Excel). Anyway revert it process:
1. Use “Search” to confirm 0 instances of an unlikely character – I chose “*”
2. Use “Replace” to replace all spaces with that character
3. Use this TextFX plugin to line up the columns
4. Make the change to the text
5. Use “Replace” to replace all spaces with null character (nothing)
6. Use “Replace” to replace all “*” (or whatever character you used in step #1) with a space character
Tada! I ran a compare across the before and after file and confirmed no change except the additional column I populated.
Glenn, thanks for the information..
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Too much work for tab-delimited files.