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
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?
Thanks! Notepad++ continues to amaze me.