How to compare two files in Notepad++

Question

I want to compare values from two different files.
In Notepad++ version 5.0.3 we had shortcut button Alt+d but in version 6.6.8 I cannot find any option to compare.

Also let me know which version is most stable.

Answer 1

There is the "Compare" plugin. You can install it via Plugins -> Plugins Admin... (or Plugins -> Plugins Manager in older versions of Notepad++) in the top menu.

Alternatively you can install a specialized file compare software like WinMerge.

Answer 2

Update:

• for Notepad++ 7.5 and above use Compare v2.0.0
• for Notepad++ 7.7 and above use Compare v2.0.0 for Notepad++ 7.7, if you need to install manually follow the description below, otherwise use "Plugin Admin".

I use Compare plugin 2 for notepad++ 7.5 and newer versions. Notepad++ 7.5 and newer versions do not have plugin manager. You have to download and install plugins manually. And YES it matters if you use 64bit or 32bit (86x).

So Keep in mind, if you use a 64-bit version of Notepad++, you should also use a 64-bit version of the plugin, and the same is valid for 32-bit.

I wrote a guideline how to install it:

1. Start your Notepad++ in administrator mode.
2. Press F1 to find out if your Notepad++ is 64bit or 32bit (86x), hence you need to download the correct plugin version. Download Compare-plugin 2.
3. Unzip Compare-plugin in a temporary folder.
4. Import the plugin from the temporary folder.
5. The plugin should appear under the Plugins menu.

Note:
It is also possible to drag and drop the plugin .dll file directly in the plugin folder.
64bit: %programfiles%\Notepad++\plugins
32bit: %programfiles(x86)%\Notepad++\plugins

Update Thanks to @TylerH for this update: Notepad++ Now has "Plugin Admin" as a replacement for the old Plugin Manager. But this method (answer) is still valid for adding plugins manually for almost any Notepad++ plugins.

Disclaimer: the link to this guideline refer to my personal website.

Answer 3

Update (2022-09-22): use the ComparePlus plug-in, and not the outdated Compare plug-in.

Demo:

1. Open 2 files side-by-side
2. Plug-ins -> ComparePlus -> Compare:

Features:

---

The Compare plug-in is no longer maintained:

Compare plugin will not be supported anymore (at least by me) because I consider it obsolete and because (as Peter Jones said) I am working on another plugin - ComparePlus that is Compare plugin’s successor.

For example, the Compare plug-in doesn't show the compared text clearly with dark mode:

Answer 4

If you are looking for the latest release of Compare, here it is:

https://github.com/pnedev/compare-plugin/releases/latest

Answer 5

If you installed Notepad++ with the Plugin Manager then its easy: open notepad++, go to Plugin -> Plugin Manager -> Show Plugin Manager and then search/install the Plugin „compare“. Restart Notepad++

Tutorial: https://youtu.be/8ESbIZbXI7I

If you do not have installed the Plugin Manager:

• download the plugin manually : https://github.com/pnedev/compare-plugin/releases/tag/v2.0.0_npp7.7

-Copy the contents of the zip file into Notepad++'s plugins installation folder (%Notepad++_program_folder%\Plugins). use the correct archive version based on your Notepad++ architecture - x86 or x64.

• restart Notepad++

Answer 6

2018 10 25. Update.

Notepad++ 7.5.8 does not have plugin manager by default. You have to download plugins manually.

Keep in mind, if you use 64 bit version of Notepad++, you should also use 64 bit version of plugin. I had a similar issue here.

Answer 7

I give the answer because I need to compare 2 files in notepad++ and there is no option available.

So first enable the plugin manager as asked by question here, Then follow this step to compare 2 files which is free in this software.

1.open notepad++, go to

Plugin -> Plugin Manager -> Show Plugin Manager

2.Show the available plugin list, choose Compare and Install

3.Restart Notepad++.

http://www.technicaloverload.com/compare-two-files-using-notepad/

Answer 8

Alternatively, you can install "SourceForge Notepad++ Compare Plugin 1.5.6". It provides compare functionality between two files and show the differences between two files.

Link to refer : https://sourceforge.net/projects/npp-compare/files/1.5.6/