This appears to be a JSON5 file. Probably it has the .json file extension, so it is highlighted with the JSON syntax highlighter, which treats unquoted keys as a syntax error. More recent versions of Notepad++ have a JSON5 syntax highlighter, available under Language->J->JSON5 from the Notepad++ main menu. If the JSON5 syntax highlighter isn’t available, you can just change the language preference to None (Normal Text).

EDIT: even in the most recent version of Notepad++, the JSON5 syntax highlighter still doesn’t properly parse unquoted keys in objects, so you should just change your Language to None (Normal Text).

You may also find the JsonTools plugin useful for working with JSON or JSON5. If you pretty-print a JSON5 file with JsonTools, it will convert it to JSON, and then the syntax highlighting will work correctly (but you won’t have unquoted keys anymore).

@PeterJones Thanks much for the infos.

@Robert-Or-Janet-Diebel ,

The following script for the PythonScript plugin runs the same macro (called DoNothing) on all files open in either view of Notepad++.

You would have to edit the script to call the name of your Macro, as listed in your Macro menu.

# encoding=utf-8 """in response to https://community.notepad-plus-plus.org/topic/21663/ Run a macro on each open file """ from Npp import notepad # store active tab in each View keepBufferID = notepad.getCurrentBufferID() docIndexes = [notepad.getCurrentDocIndex(v) for v in range(2)] for filename, bufferID, index, view in notepad.getFiles(): notepad.activateBufferID(bufferID) notepad.runMenuCommand("Macro", "DoNothing") # restore active tab in each View for v in range(2): notepad.activateIndex(v, docIndexes[v]) notepad.activateBufferID(keepBufferID)

@Dan-A

I would just start by saying the program talked about here is Notepad++ or also NPP. NOTEPAD is a Windows application, so not to be confused with NPP. It is always nice to be respectful of someone accomplishments, even if you don’t necessarily agree with the “other” stuff that comes with it, so calling it by the correct name is respectful.

So, you ask what else can do the job that NPP can. Quite possibly lots, some free some you pay for. As for actual names it’s unlikely you will get answers to that since this is a NPP forum, not a forum for “Anything other than NPP”.

But we wish you well in your search.

Terry

@Real-Cat

There is another post similar in request to yours which might help.

See this post.

Terry

@Juan-Fco-Rubio-Diaz

No solution.
Notepad++ 's limited development team hasn’t tackled this particular problem yet.
There are already official “issues” open for it.

@n3tcom said in Vertical tabs with horizontal text?:

PLEASE consider proper vertical tabs! The current “feature” feels like it was implemented as a troll to everyone that bothered asking for proper vertical tabs over the years

The readers of this post are users of Notepad++, not the Developer of the app. See our FAQ

it blow my mind that we still do not have this in 2025

Easily explainable if no one has officially requested it, and/or if the developer never thought of it, was never interested in it, or believes that the Document List feature is close enough.

@n3tcom said:

so the best we get across most of the better note apps is this repurposed function list solution

And so you yearn for something better?
I’m not sure what form that would take, as the function-list solution works reasonably.

@pockytu

Go to Plugin Admin, type fold into the Search box and keep clicking Next until you see Folding Line Hider. Check the checkbox and click the Install button. After Notepad++ restart, it should be active at hiding the fold lines.

Description of the plugin:

This Notepad++ plugin can hide the unsightly folding lines, and for convenience, you can fold and unfold the current level using the Alt + Left/Right keys.
Author: leonardchai@gmail.com
Homepage: https://github.com/leonardchai/FoldingLineHider

actually I think they’re only two: config xml and shortcuts.xml,

If used, there is also toolbarIcons.xml and overrideMap.xml

It appears that the “shortcoming” has been FIXED and should appear in the next Notepad++ release.
Nice.