[notepad++] How to indent HTML tags in Notepad++

I installed Notepad++. How to make tags automatically indent especially when nesting? All the tags seem to be lining up to the left of the screen.

This question is related to notepad++

The answer is


Use the XML Tools plugin for Notepad++ and then you can Auto-Indent the code with Ctrl+Alt+Shift+B .For the more point-and-click inclined, you could also go to Plugins --> XML Tools --> Pretty Print.


The answers on this question are not only wrong, but dangerous. CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+B will not indent HTML but XML. Consider the following HTML code:

<span class="myClass"></span>

The function 'Notepad++ -> Plugins -> XmlTools -> Pretty print (Xml only with line breaks)' (CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+B) will transform this to:

<span class="myClass"/>

which will not be displayed correctly anymore by your browser! I strongly advice against using this function to indent HTML.

Instead use the plugin Tidy2. This will indent the HTML correctly without bad side-effects (but it will also create <html>, <head>, <body>, ... elements around your code, if these are not there).


Building on Constantin's answer, here's the essence of what I learned while transitioning to Notepad++ as my primary HTML editor.

Install Notepad++ 32-bit

There's no 64-bit version of Tidy2 and some other popular plugins. The 32-bit version of NPP has few practical downsides, so axe the 64-bit version.

Install the Plugin Manager

Plugin Manager isn't strictly necessary for plugin usage. It does make things much easier, though.

Plugin Manager was eliminated from the core package apparently because the developer didn't like some included attribution linking.

You may notice that Plugin Manager plugin has been removed from the official distribution. The reason is Plugin Manager contains the advertising in its dialog. I hate Ads in applications, and I ensure you that there was no, and there will never be Ads in Notepad++.

It's a manual install, but it's not difficult.

  1. Download the UNI (32-bit) zip package and extract it. Inside you'll see folders called plugins and updater. Each contains one file.
  2. Drag those two files to the respective identically-named folders in your Notepad++ installation directory. Typically that's C:\Program Files (x86)\Notepad++.
  3. Restart Notepad++ and follow any install/update prompts.

Now you'll see a new entry under Plugins for Plugin Manager.

Install Tidy2 (or your preferred alternative)

In Plugin Manager, check the box for Tidy2. Click Install. Restart when prompted.

To use Tidy2, select one of the preconfigured profiles in its Plugins submenu item, or create your own.


I have a solution for you.

Just you need to install a plugin named Indent By Fold.

You can install this by going through Plugins -> Plugin Manager -> Show Plugin Manager. OR Plugins -> Plugins Admin -> chekmark Indent By Fold from list than install

Then just select the list item and all you need is to type the first word then you got it.

you can use this plugin from a plugin in the menu bar.



In Notepad++ v7.8.9 you can use the Tab key to increase the indention level, and use Shift + Tab to decrease the indentation level.


Step 1: Open plugin manager in notepad++

Plugins -> Plugin Manager -> Show Plugin Manager.

Step 2:install XML Tool plugin

Search "XML TOOLS" from the "Available" option then click in install.

Now you can use shortcut key CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+B to indent the code.


On Notepadd++ v7.5.9 (32-bits), "Indent by fold" plugin is working fine with html content.

  1. Search and install in plugin manager
  2. Use "Plugins" > "Indent by fold" > "Reindent file"

https://www.fesevur.com/indentbyfold/