Notepad Features You Probably Didn’t Know

Introduction

Most people think Notepad is just a very basic text editor with almost no features. It looks simple compared to Word, WordPad, or modern code editors. But the truth is, Notepad hides some useful and lesser-known features that many users never explore.

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Whether you are a student, office worker, or programmer, these hidden features can make your work faster and easier. In this article, we will explore the top Notepad features you probably didn’t know and explain how to use them effectively.

1. Word Wrap for Easy Reading

By default, long lines of text in Notepad continue horizontally, requiring you to scroll sideways.

• Go to Format → Word Wrap.
• This automatically moves long lines to the next line.

👉 Very useful when writing long notes or opening log files.

2. Insert Date and Time Instantly

Instead of typing the current date and time manually:

• Press F5 on your keyboard.
• Notepad instantly adds the current system date and time.

👉 Great for keeping logs, notes, or daily journals.

3. Create Automatic Log Files

Did you know Notepad can maintain a self-updating log file?

1. Open a new Notepad file.
2. Type LOG (in uppercase) at the very first line.
3. Save the file as filename.log.
4. Every time you open the file, Notepad automatically inserts the current date and time.

👉 Ideal for keeping daily activity records.

4. Search and Replace Text Quickly

For long notes or scripts, finding and replacing text is easy:

• Press Ctrl + F → Search for specific text.
• Press Ctrl + H → Find and replace text.

👉 Saves a lot of time when editing documents or code.

5. Change Font and Size for Better Readability

Notepad allows you to customize the text display:

• Go to Format → Font.
• Choose font style, size, and weight.

👉 Perfect for people who prefer larger text or monospaced fonts for coding.

6. Simple Keyboard Shortcuts

Some useful shortcuts:

• Ctrl + N → New file
• Ctrl + O → Open file
• Ctrl + S → Save file
• Ctrl + P → Print file
• Ctrl + Z → Undo
• Ctrl + Y → Redo

👉 These small shortcuts make writing and editing much faster.

7. Save in Different File Extensions

Notepad is not limited to .txt. You can save files in:

• .html (for web pages)
• .bat (for batch scripts)
• .ini (for configuration files)
• .log (for logs)

👉 To do this, go to File → Save As and select All Files in the Save as type box, then add your desired extension.

Print Your Notes Directly

Need a hard copy?

• Go to File → Print.
• Select a printer and print your notes instantly.

👉 Useful for quick reports, essays, or to-do lists.

Use Notepad for Coding

Notepad may look basic, but it supports writing code in:

• HTML
• CSS
• JavaScript
• Batch files
• Python (basic scripts)

👉 Developers often use Notepad for quick editing or testing code snippets before moving to advanced IDEs.

10. Word Count Trick (via Status Bar)

Notepad does not have a direct word counter, but in Windows 11’s updated Notepad, the status bar shows line and column numbers. This helps estimate word length and structure.

👉 For word count, copy-paste text into Word or online tools.

11. Multi-level Undo (Windows 11 Only)

In older versions, Notepad only allowed a single undo. But in Windows 11, you can undo multiple actions in a row.

• Just press Ctrl + Z repeatedly.

👉 Makes editing much easier.

12. Dark Mode for Comfort (Windows 11)

Windows 11 introduced Dark Mode in Notepad.

• It reduces eye strain during long hours of writing.
• Switch between Light and Dark themes from Windows Settings.

13. Drag and Drop Files

Simply drag any .txt file into an open Notepad window, and it will open automatically.

👉 Quick way to view files without browsing manually.

14. Reopen Recent Files (Windows 11)

The latest Notepad version lets you quickly reopen recently used files.

• Go to File → Recent files.
• Saves time when working on multiple notes.

15. Line & Column Numbers

The status bar in Notepad shows the line number and column number of the cursor position.

• Useful for coders and editors when finding errors.

👉 Example: Line 15, Column 30 helps locate exact position in a document.

Bonus: Easter Eggs & Fun Tricks

Some users have discovered fun tricks in Notepad:

• Typing Q33NY and changing the font to Wingdings shows strange symbols (old viral trick).
• Saving files with .vbs extension allows running simple VB scripts.

👉 These are more fun experiments than practical features.

Conclusion

Notepad may look extremely basic, but it actually has many hidden and helpful features. From automatic logs and date/time insertion to dark mode and coding support, Notepad proves itself as more than just a simple text editor.

If you learn these features, you can use Notepad more efficiently for notes, coding, logging, and document editing.

So next time you open Notepad, try out these tricks—you might be surprised by how useful this tiny app can be!