"Offering free computer help, hints, and tips to the Internet populace." Now with over 3,820 tips!

Text Editors - Notepad Replacements

UltraEdit for Windows

SUMMARY: UltraEdit is a powerful Windows text editor with features useful for programmers or those just needing a replacement for the Notepad application.

UltraEdit is a shareware text editor for Windows 2000 - Vista that is available in multiple languages including Chinese, English, and French. A wealth of options are available whether you just need a Notepad replacement or if you are a programmer, technical writer, or web developer.

As a replacement for Notepad, UltraEdit includes features such as opening multiple files via tabs, sorting, multiple text selection options, spell check, word count, multi-file searching with optional use of regular expressions, templates, multi-level undo, text case conversion, file encryption, and sending the open file via e-mail.

Editing a text file via UltraEdit

Programmers such as web developers will find even more features including the ability to open or save files via FTP; braces matching; syntax highlighting for HTML, C++, Java, and other languages; converting tabs to spaces and vice-versa; converting file formats from Unix to DOS and vice-versa; HTML URL encoding; code re-indenting and reformatting; a hexadecimal editor; a function list; and macros and scripting.

Configuration options (via "Advanced" - "Configuration") include adjusting word wraps and tabs, choosing a spell checker dictionary and whether or not to ignore words with all capitals and other options, enabling spell checking as you type, creating automatic backups of files, changing system file associations, editor display and layout options, and toolbar and menu customization.

UltraEdit Configuration

Note when installing UltraEdit you may want to choose the "Custom Install" feature. This lets you prevent the installer from adding a desktop shortcut, Quick Launch Shortcut, Explorer integration, Internet Explorer "View Source" integration, and/or other options as desired. You can also choose your usage type such as a "Power User", "Technical Writer", or "Web Developer".

A free trial (30 or 45 days, "depending on previous usage"), is available at the following address:

* UltraEdit: http://www.ultraedit.com/

This tip was written regarding UltraEdit 15.10.0.1019 on a Windows Vista machine. Features, information, and screenshots for other versions and operating systems may vary.