Automatic indentation for Python in Notepad++

Question

It doesn't act like Python's IDLE.

Example:

else:  
    name = 'World'
    print 'Howdy', name
    print 'yay'

but in Notepad++

else: # i press enter and this is what it does
lands me here

But I want to be able to do it like in IDLE: after the : I can just press enter and keep on going.

I have my file type set to Python and my format to unix.

score 51 · Answer 1 · answered Jun 27 '11 at 12:06

51

This is what you want:

Settings > Preferences > MISC. > Auto-Indent (checkbox)

--

Sometimes people ask, "How can I do x in program y?"

I have a dream that one day "Use program z instead" will not be the most popular response.

answered Jun 27 '11 at 12:06

Thomas B.

519
4
3

8

Doesn't work, unfortunately; even with the option enabled, it does not indent correctly. There's a reason people suggested using a different editor than TextPad. – JasonFruit Jan 08 '13 at 14:59
2

Not working for me, either. But the Python Indent plugin mentioned by @Peter McElhinney works great. – blablatros Jul 01 '13 at 21:01

score 38 · Answer 2 · edited Feb 23 '16 at 17:02

38

I played a bit with python in Notepad++ and I had a problem with the tab. Since in python your indentation is really important but notepad ++ put space instead of a tab.

So to change to tab you need to go in notepad ++ Menu Settings > Preferences... then select Tab Settings Then select python in the Tab Settings box and uncheck Use default value and check Replace by space.

Like the other answer, you might want to consider another ide. I personally use eclipse with the pydev plugin and django plungin. Erik is nice too.

edited Feb 23 '16 at 17:02

themadmax

2,344
1
31
36

answered Apr 03 '11 at 21:49

Chris

1,080
20
44

3

I've just discovered this option (I was wondering why in Python it automatically changes to space indentation instead of tab). Anyway, is there any option to tell Notepad++ to automatically detect the tab setting in a file (i.e. if it's already indented with tab, then continue with tab - that's where Sublime really excels) – Jim Raynor Feb 23 '17 at 16:46

score 20 · Answer 3 · edited Mar 23 '15 at 15:40

20

I found the Python Indent plugin on the official plugin page, and it worked fine!

http://docs.notepad-plus-plus.org/index.php/Plugin_Central#P

edited Mar 23 '15 at 15:40

AdrianHHH

13,492
16
50
87

answered May 15 '13 at 17:13

Derwent

606
1
5
13

The link is dead. Here's the most recent snapshot from the Wayback Machine: https://web.archive.org/web/20190618000144/http://docs.notepad-plus-plus.org/index.php/Plugin_Central – Gino Mempin Dec 28 '19 at 02:24

score 11 · Answer 4 · answered Sep 15 '14 at 22:03

11

Well, here is a updated answer:

Notepad++ >> Plugins >> plugin manager >> show plugin manager >> find (python indent) click install >> should be downloaded you need to reach to enable again from Plugins>>python indent>>enable

answered Sep 15 '14 at 22:03

Joseph Wasily

141
2
8

score 3 · Answer 5 · answered Feb 18 '17 at 07:24

3

Go to Settings > Preferences > Language

Then on the "Tab Settings" box select "python" and tick the "Use default value" checkbox.

You're welcome.

P.S. Yeah, I know this a little old. I really just couldn't help it. Anyway, this is for version v7.3.2.

answered Feb 18 '17 at 07:24

Macho Gwapito

149
2
12

score 1 · Answer 6 · edited Feb 17 '22 at 08:55

None of the above solutions worked for me but this worked:

Install latest version of notepad++ (as of Feb 2022)
Goto Settings -> Preferences -> Language -> Tab Settings -> Select Python -> Uncheck (Default Value) and make sure that the 'Replace by space' is selected with 4 as the count
Next, goto Settings -> Preferences -> Auto-Completion -> Enable Auto-Indent (if it's not already enabled)

This should work as expected as it's working for me.

score 0 · Answer 7 · answered Apr 08 '16 at 17:56

0

Click on Settings
Click Preferences...
Browse drop-down menu to find MISC.
Tick the box which says Auto-indent

After that, you should be fine.

answered Apr 08 '16 at 17:56

attachPost

75
1
1
10

score 0 · Answer 8 · answered Aug 17 '20 at 16:46

0

Restart Notepad++ after, and then it works.

answered Aug 17 '20 at 16:46

Guy Micciche

378
1
4
11

score 0 · Answer 9 · answered Sep 04 '20 at 20:30

-- For Newer Versions , Goto Settings>>Preferences>>Auto-Completion>>Auto-Indent(checkbox)

-- For Older Versions , Goto Settings > Preferences > MISC. > Auto-Indent (checkbox)

By the time of this post, The newest Version of Notepad++ is v7.8.7.(tested)

glass on · Answer 10 · 2021-12-14T19:13:42.990

This is for Notepad++ version v8.1.9.3 (the latest as of today)

Before starting this, save your work... but no need to close any open tab

First; install the plugin

Plugins > Plugins Admin > Search: Python Indent > Python Indent (check box) > Install > Yes

Notepad++ will restart... it will take 10 seconds or so

Second; enable the plugin

Plugins > Python Indent > Enable

Third; Have fun!

Do a test... and let me know

score 0 · Answer 11 · answered Sep 01 '22 at 15:27

0

In Notepad++ version v8.4.4 The Auto Indent is located in Settings->Preferences->Auto-Completion and no longer in MISC. However, for Python indentation it didn't work for me. What worked is to use the Python Indent plugin (set to Enable).

answered Sep 01 '22 at 15:27

Yaniv Ben David

43
3

score -3 · Answer 12 · answered Apr 04 '11 at 12:59

I've found Notepad++ to live up to the task of being a better basic text editor than Notepad, but it isn't really designed to be as smart as a proper programming IDE.

It might be possible to get it to do what you're asking for, but I certainly don't know how to set it up that way.

score -4 · Answer 13 · answered Apr 04 '11 at 13:28

-4

Emacs has python-mode which (also) does it. Grab it and prepare for life-time enjoyment.

answered Apr 04 '11 at 13:28

janislaw

300
1
7

Automatic indentation for Python in Notepad++

13 Answers13

First; install the plugin

Second; enable the plugin

Third; Have fun!

Linked