Is it possible to automate Notepad++, specifically the search and replace across files?

Question

Is it possible to automate Notepad++, specifically the search and replace across files?

I want to be able to automate the search and replacement of placeholder values across a number of file types, e.g. .config and .pubxml, and rather than write PowerShell script, I'd prefer to use the ready built (and tested) functionality in Notepad++

Solution

There's so many ways for achieving this. I'll stick to the ones that uses Notepad++ for now

1. Notepad++ > Search > Find in Files and go from there adjust the mask or make backups, and read your option this WILL replace all files in sub folders by default

   OR

2. for more advanced search and replace Notepad++ > Plugins > Plugin Manager > Show Plugin Manager now search for and Install "Python Script" read here for more. This require some basic coding skills or you'll need to read and test for a while.

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if you're looking for a command-line tool you can use fnr.exe - Find And Replace Tool, It's a simple and effective Open source tool It's portable, free, lightweight and more Stable than basic codes that we may create.

Comments

[kailash gaur]

@PJMahoney Yeah, but I find UI automation a bit on the brittle side ... I was hoping for an accessible API for driving N++ through PowerShell or the like

[kailash gaur]

Thanks for the pointer to item 2. I don't think item 1 is a valid answer, as it's purely manual, which I already do. I wanted to automate the process.

[Maher Fattouh]

Please note that option number 1 will find and replace text of ALL FILES in a folder and sub folders and will save the modified files automatically.

[Maher Fattouh]

Updated Answer.