How to Execute a Python File in Notepad

Question

I prefer using Notepad    for developing   How do I execute the files in Python through Notepad

User · Answer

I also wanted to run python files directly from Notepad++. Most common option found online is using builtin option Run. Then you have two options:

Run python file in console (in Windows it is Command Prompt) with code something like this (links: ):
```
C:\Path\to\Python\python.exe "$(FULL_CURRENT_PATH)"
```
(If your console window immediately closes after running then you can add cmd /k to your code. Links: ) This works fine, and you can even run files in interactive mode by adding -i to your code (links: ).
Run python program in IDLE with code something like this (links: , in these links C:\Path\to\Python\Lib\idlelib\idle.py is used, but I am using C:\Path\to\Python\Lib\idlelib\idle.bat instead, because idle.bat sets the right current working directory automatically):
```
C:\Path\to\Python\Lib\idlelib\idle.bat "$(FULL_CURRENT_PATH)"
```
Actually, this doesn't run your program in IDLE Shell, but instead it opens your python file in IDLE Editor and then you need to click Run Module (or click F5) to run the program. So it opens your file in IDLE Editor and then you need run it from there, which defeats the purpose of running python files from Notepad++.

But, searching online, I found option which adds '-r' to your code (links: ):
```
C:\Path\to\Python\Lib\idlelib\idle.bat -r "$(FULL_CURRENT_PATH)"
```
This will run your python program in IDLE Shell and because it is in IDLE it is by default in interactive mode.

Problem with running your python files via builtin Run option is that each time you run your python file, you open new console or IDLE window and lose all output from previous executions. This might not be important to some, but when I started to program in python, I used Python IDLE, so I got used to running python file multiple times in same IDLE Shell window. Also problem with running python programs from Notepad++ is that you need to manually save your file and then click Run (or press F5). To solve these problems (AFAIK*) you need to use Notepad++ Plugins. The best plugin for running python files from Notepad++ is NppExec. (I also tried PyNPP and Python Script. PyNPP runs python files in console, it works, but you can do that without plugin via builtin Run option and Python Script is used for running scripts that interact with Notepad++ so you can't run your python files.) To run your python file with NppExec plugin you need to go to Plugins -> NppExec -> Execute and then type in something like this (links: ):

C:\Path\to\Python\python.exe "$(FULL_CURRENT_PATH)"

With NppExec you can also save your python file before run with npp_save command, set working directory with cd "$(CURRENT_DIRECTORY)" command or run python program in interactive mode with -i command. I found many links ( ) online that mention these options, but best use of NppExec to run python programs I found at NppExec's Manual which has chapter 4.6.4. Running Python & wxPython with this code:

npp_console -  // disable any output to the Console
npp_save  // save current file (a .py file is expected)
cd "$(CURRENT_DIRECTORY)"  // use the current file's dir
set local @exit_cmd_silent = exit()  // allows to exit Python automatically
set local PATH_0 = $(SYS.PATH)  // current value of %PATH%
env_set PATH = $(SYS.PATH);C:\Python27  // use Python 2.7
npp_setfocus con  // set the focus to the Console
npp_console +  // enable output to the Console
python -i -u "$(FILE_NAME)"  // run Python's program interactively
npp_console -  // disable any output to the Console
env_set PATH = $(PATH_0)  // restore the value of %PATH%
npp_console +  // enable output to the Console

All you need to do is copy this code and change your python directory if you use some other python version (e.g.* I am using python 3.4 so my directory is C:\Python34). This code works perfectly, but there is one line I added to this code so I can run python program multiple times without loosing previous output:

npe_console m- a+

a+ is to enable the "append" mode which keeps the previous Console's text and does not clear it.

m- turns off console's internal messages (those are in green color)

The final code that I use in NppExec's Execute window is:

npp_console -  // disable any output to the Console
npp_save  // save current file (a .py file is expected)
cd "$(CURRENT_DIRECTORY)"  // use the current file's dir
set local @exit_cmd_silent = exit()  // allows to exit Python automatically
set local PATH_0 = $(SYS.PATH)  // current value of %PATH%
env_set PATH = $(SYS.PATH);C:\Python34  // use Python 3.4
npp_setfocus con  // set the focus to the Console
npe_console m- a+
npp_console +  // enable output to the Console
python -i -u "$(FILE_NAME)"  // run Python's program interactively
npp_console -  // disable any output to the Console
env_set PATH = $(PATH_0)  // restore the value of %PATH%
npp_console +  // enable output to the Console

You can save your NppExec's code, and assign a shortcut key to this NppExec's script. (You need to open Advanced options of NppExec's plugin, select your script in the Associated script drop-down list, press the Add/Modify, restart Notepad++ , go to Notepad++'es Settings -> Shortcut Mapper -> Plugin commands, select your script, click Modify and assign a shortcut key. I wanted to put F5 as my shortcut key, to do that you need to change shortcut key for builtin option Run to something else first.) Links to chapters from NppExec's Manual that explain how to save you NppExec's code and assign a shortcut key: NppExec's "Execute...", NppExec's script.

P.S.*: With NppExec plugin you can add Highlight Filters (found in Console Output Filters...) that highlight certain lines. I use it to highlight error lines in red, to do that you need to add Highlight masks: *File "%FILE%", line %LINE%, in <*> and Traceback (most recent call last): like this.

User · Answer

In case someone is interested in passing arguments to cmd exe and running the python script in a Virtual Environment  these are the steps I used   On the Notepad   -  Run -  Run   I enter the following   cmd  C cd   CURRENT DIRECTORY   amp  amp   PATH to  bat file    FULL CURRENT PATH    Here I cd into the directory in which the  py file exists  so that it enables accessing any other relevant files which are in the directory of the  py code   And on the  bat file I have    ECHO off set File Path  1  call activate Venv python  File Path  pause

User · Answer

I started using Notepad   for Python very recently and I found this method very easy  Once you are ready to run the code right-click on the tab of your code in Notepad   window and select  Open Containing Folder in cmd   This will open the Command Prompt into the folder where the current program is stored  All you need to do now is to execute      python    This was done on Notepad    Build 10 Jan 2015    I can t add the screenshots  so here s a blog post with the screenshots - http   coder-decoder blogspot in 2015 03 using-notepad-in-windows-to-edit-and html

User · Answer

I would like to avoid using full python directory path in the Notepad   macro  I tried other solutions given in this page  they failed   The one working on my PC is   In Notepad    press F5   Copy paste this   cmd  k cd  d   CURRENT DIRECTORY   amp  amp  py -3 -i   FULL CURRENT PATH    Enter

User · Answer

My problem was  as it was mentioned by copeland3300  that my script is running from notepad   folder  so it was impossible to locate other project files  such as database file  modules etc  I solved the problem using standard notepad    Run  command  F5  and typing in   cmd  k   cd  d    CURRENT DIRECTORY    amp  python    FULL CURRENT PATH      Python WAS in my PATH  Cmd window stayed open after script finished

User · Answer

None of the previously proposed solutions worked for me  Slight modification needed   After hitting F5 in Notepad    type   cmd  k  C  Python27 python exe   FULL CURRENT PATH     The command prompt stays open so you can see the output of your script

User · Answer

No answer here  or plugin i found provided what i wanted  A minimalist method to launch my python code i wrote on Notepad   with the press of a shortcut  with preferably no plugins   I have Python 3 6  64-bit   for Windows 8 1 x86 64 and Notepad   32bit  After you write your Python script in Notepad   and save it  Hit F5 for Run  Then write     C  Path to Python python exe  -i    FULL CURRENT PATH     and hit the Run button  The i flag forces the terminal to stay still after code execution has terminated  for you to inspect it  This command will launch the script in a cmd terminal and the terminal will still lie there  until you close it by typing exit      You can save this to a shortcut for convenience  mine is CTRL   SHIFT   P

User · Answer

Here is what s worked for me  Open notepad   and press F5  You ll get a little popup box    Type  C  Python27 python exe -i  quot   FULL CURRENT PATH  quot  for Python 2 7  and then Save As     and pick your own key combo to start it each time you want to run something

User · Answer

On the menu go to   Run  --   Run      or just press F5    For Python 2 type in   py -2 -i    FULL CURRENT PATH     For Python 3 type in   py -3 -i    FULL CURRENT PATH     References   To understand the py command better   py -h   Another helpful link to understand the py command  How do I run python 2 and 3 in windows 7   Thanks to Reshure for his answer that got me on the right track to figure this out

User · Answer

In Notepad    go to Run   Run     select the path and idle py file of your Python installation   C  Python27 Lib idlelib idle py   add a space and this      FULL CURRENT PATH     and here you are   Video demostration   https   www youtube com watch v sJipYE1JT38

User · Answer

Extending Reshure s answer   Open Run   Run    from the menubar in Notepad    shortcut  F5  In the given space  enter       FULL CURRENT PATH    -1  Click Run   ta da

User · Answer

First install Python from https   www python org downloads   Run the installer     IMPORTANT     Be sure you check both     Install launcher for all users Add Python 3 6 to path   Click install now and finish the installation   Open notepad   and install plugin PyNPP from Plugin Manager  I m using N   6 9 2  Save a new file as new py  Type in N    import sys  print  Hello from Python    print  Your Python version is      sys version     Press Alt Shift F5  Simple as that

User · Answer

I usually prefer running my python scripts on python native IDLE interactive shell rather than from command prompt or something like that  I ve tried it  and it works for me  Just open  Run   Run      then paste the code below  python  -m idlelib idle -r    FULL CURRENT PATH     After that  you can save it with your hotkey   You must ensure your desired python is added and registered in your environment variables

User · Answer

First option   Easiest  recommended   Open Notepad    On the menu go to  Run -  Run    F5   Type in   C  Python26 python exe    FULL CURRENT PATH     Now  instead of pressing run  press save to create a shortcut for it   Notes   If you have Python 3 1  type in Python31 instead of Python26 Add -i if you want the command line window to stay open after the script has finished     Second option  Use a batch script that runs the Python script and then create a shortcut to that from Notepad     As explained here  http   it-ride blogspot com 2009 08 notepad-and-python html    Third option   Not safe      The code opens    HKEY CURRENT USER Software Python PythonCore     if the key exists it will get the path from the first child key of this key    Check if this key exists  and if does not  you could try creating it

User · Answer

All the answers for the Run- Run menu option go with the   K  switch of cmd  so the terminal stays open  or  -i  for python exe so python forces interactive mode - both to preserve the output for you to observe   Yet in cmd  k you have to type exit to close it  in the python -i - quit    If that is too much typing for your liking  for me it sure is     the Run command to use is  cmd  k C  Python27 python exe     FULL CURRENT PATH    amp  pause  amp  exit   C  Python27 python exe - obviously the full path to your python install  or just python if you want to go with the first executable in your user s path     amp  is unconditional execution of the next command in Windows - unconditional as it runs regardless of the RC of the previous command   amp  amp  is  and  - run only if the previous completed successfully     - is  or     pause - prints  Press any key to continue        and waits for any key  that output can be suppressed if need    exit - well  types the exit for you     So at the end  cmd runs python exe which executes the current file and keeps the window opened  pause waits for you to press any key  and exit finally close the window once you press that any key

User · Answer

You can run your script via cmd and be in script-directory   cmd  k cd  d   CURRENT DIRECTORY   amp  amp  python   FULL CURRENT PATH

User · Answer

There is one issue that I didn t see resolved in the above solutions  Python sets the current working directory to wherever you start the interpreter from  If you need the current working directory to be the same directory as where you saved the file on  then you could hit F5 and type this   cmd  K cd    CURRENT DIRECTORY   amp C  Users username Python36-32 python exe -i    FULL CURRENT PATH     Except you would replace C  Users username Python36-32 python exe with whatever the path to the python interpreter is on your machine   Basically you re starting up command line  changing the directory to the directory containing the  py file you re trying to run  and then running it  You can string together as many command line commands as you like with the   amp   symbol

User · Answer

I wish people here would post steps instead of just overall concepts  I eventually got the cmd  k version to work   The step-by-step instructions are    In NPP  click on the menu item  Run In the submenu  click on  Run In the Run    dialog box  in the field The Program to Run  delete any existing text and type in  cmd  K    FULL CURRENT PATH   The  K is optional  it keeps open the window created when the script runs  if you want that  Hit the Save    button  The Shortcut dialogue box opens  fill it out if you want a keyboard shortcut  there s a note saying  This will disable the accelerator  whatever that is  so maybe you don t want to use the keyboard shortcut  though it probably doesn t hurt to assign one when you don t need an accelerator   Somewhere I think you have to tell NPP where the Python exe file is  e g   for me  C  Python33 python exe   I don t know where or how you do this  but in trying various things here  I was able to do that--I don t recall which attempt did the trick

User · Answer

I use the NPP Exec plugin  Found in the plugins manager   Once that is installed  open the console window  ctrl    and type   cmd   This will launch command prompt  Then type   C  Program Files Notepad   gt    python    FULL CURRENT PATH       to execute the current file you are working with

User · Answer

Ramiz Uddin s answer definitely deserves more visibility      Open Notepad   On the menu go to  Run  rarr  Run    F5  Type in  cmd  K python    FULL CURRENT PATH

User · Answer

In addition to the many other answers about using a system-wide installation of a Python interpreter  there is also a Python plugin for Notepad     I ve used it many times  and it works quite well   You can even assign shortcut keys to run specific Python scripts  It is open-source and gratis  free of charge   The source code and plugin are located here  https   github com bruderstein PythonScript

[python] How to Execute a Python File in Notepad ++?

Examples related to python

Examples related to notepad++