How to Replace Text Using Notepad

Notepad, a program that is included with most versions of Microsoft Windows including Windows Vista, is a very simple, easy-to-use text editor.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Knowledge of how to use basic Windows applications

1. 
    
   Notepad instruction

   Opening Notepad in Windows one can run Notepad by selecting Start, run, and then enter 'Notepad' and select OK.

2. 
    
   Notepad instruction

   Open a program using Windows Vista to run a program in Windows Vista, enter the program name in the text box and select ENTER.

3. 
    
   Notepad instruction

   We will be working with a document that contains sample text. The content contains the word 'sample'. We will replace this word with 'new'.

4. 
    
   Notepad instruction

   Select from the Notepad menu Edit, Replace or use the shortcut Ctrl + H to open the 'Replace' menu.

5. 
    
   Notepad instruction

   Either type the word 'sample' in the 'Find what' textbox or you can select the word 'sample' in the content with the left mouse button, select Ctrl + C (Edit, Copy) to copy, select the 'Find what' textbox, and then select Ctrl + V (Edit, Paste) to paste the word 'sample'.

6. 
    
   Notepad instruction

   Enter the word 'new' into the 'Replace with' textbox. Select 'Replace All' to replace every instance of 'sample' with the word 'new'. If you want to replace one instance at a time select the 'Replace' button to be taken to the first instance and then select 'Replace' again and the first instance of the word will change.

7. 
    
   Notepad instruction

   If you continue to select 'Replace' all words will be changed and you will encounter an popup message which indicates that there are no more instances of the word that you requested to change.

8. 
    
   Notepad instruction

   All instances of 'sample' have been changed to the word 'new'. Make sure you save your changed document.

Tips & Warnings

• If you select 'Match case', only those words using the same case as your source word will be changed. For example, if you wanted to change the word 'Patrol' to 'pepper' only words spelled as 'Patrol' would change. 'patrol' would not be replaced by the new word.

[onehappylassie]

on 1/18/2009 Nice done!

[ElectricalNut]

on 1/18/2009 Great tips - most useful.