How do you add syntax highlighting for Less in Notepad++?

Question

I want Notepad++ to treat my .less files just as my .css files and thereby get syntax highlighting for any .less files I open.

Maybe this question is better suited for Super User, especially considering a similar question already exists there. — alex, Feb 06 '11 at 14:25
First time i heard someone mention Super User but I'm guessing you're right. Is that forum more application oriented? — Mattias Alfborger, Feb 06 '11 at 14:33
yes, it's application oriented. However, this question is partly programmer related. It can go to either site. — alex, Feb 06 '11 at 14:40

kapex · Accepted Answer · 2016-06-02T11:36:41.043

62

To get LESS syntax highlighting, you have to download and import a user defined language file. Here are some links to language files:

LESS language file, as listed in the Notepad++ User Defined Language List
LESS language file on GitHub

Installation instructions from the GitHub repository:

Download the less.xml file

Open Notepad++

Go to Language -> Define your language..., click on Import... and select the less.xml file you've downloaded

Close and restart Notepad++

Done

Another way to install language files is to copy them into a file in the Notepad++ installation directory.

edited Jun 02 '16 at 11:36

answered Apr 15 '12 at 11:53

kapex

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This answer addresses much more the original question than the one of alex. Thank you. – Martin Feb 19 '13 at 07:57
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Not a huge savings in time, but you don't have to download the file. You can just paste the URL as if it were a file, when you get to the Import dialog. – Andrew Cheong Aug 07 '14 at 04:52

score 4 · Answer 2 · answered May 23 '13 at 12:41

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Download from this page the XML file of the language to add (such as Less)

In Notepad++ open Language menu > Define your language... and Import the file

answered May 23 '13 at 12:41

Fred K

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How do you add syntax highlighting for Less in Notepad++?

2 Answers2