How to compare two files in Notepad++
Installing the Compare Plugin
First, you need to install the Compare plugin. Follow these steps:
- Open Notepad++.
- Go to the Plugins menu and select Plugin Admin.
- In the Plugin Admin window, find the Compare plugin in the list.
- Check the box next to it and click the Install button.
- Notepad++ will restart to complete the plugin installation.
Using the Compare Plugin to Compare Files
After installing the Compare plugin, you can start comparing files:
- Open both files you want to compare in Notepad++.
- Go to the Plugins menu, then select Compare and click Compare.
The Compare plugin will highlight the differences between the two files in different colors, making them visually noticeable. You will see lines that differ, as well as lines that have been added or deleted.
Additional Features of the Compare Plugin
In addition to basic comparison, the Compare plugin offers several additional features that may be useful:
- Scroll Sync Mode: Enable scroll synchronization to scroll both files simultaneously.
- Word Comparison: The plugin can compare files at the word level, not just lines.
- Export Differences: You can export differences to a separate file for further analysis.
File comparison will help you identify differences and simplify working with source code and text documents.