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NP++ can't edit 2-byte Unicode file

AndyS01
2006-09-08
2012-11-13
  • AndyS01

    AndyS01 - 2006-09-08

    I tried to edit a file that has 2-byte characters (Unicode), and for each character, the screen shows the character, then a highlighted "NULL".  I tried all of the different formats from the "Format" menu, but nothing worked.  Is there a configuration or plugin that addresses this?

     
    • AndyS01

      AndyS01 - 2007-01-02

      I did this and was able to see the file correctly.  However, these files are generally READ-ONLY on my system, and there are a lot of them, so I have to play with temporary files, etc.  What I really need is to have NP++ recognize a file with NULL bytes between each text byte, as a Unicode file.  Is there a way for me to get at the signature recognization logic?

       
    • Nobody/Anonymous

      What do you mean by:
      > and for each character, the screen shows the character

      something like an HEX Edit? There is a plugin available.

      In addition: Be sure that the file has the correct BOM.

       
    • AndyS01

      AndyS01 - 2006-10-04

      The file I'm looking at is a log file created by a BREW application.  Each character is actually 2 bytes (Unicode?).
      Here's what the HexEditor sees:
      30 00 38 00 2e 00 30 00 39 00 .... etc.

      Hope that helps ... Andy

       
    • Nobody/Anonymous

      Hello,

      this is in USC2-LE encoding.

      Do following:
      - open your log file
      - create an empty file and select in menu 'Format' USC2-LE encoding
      - switch here to HEX-Edit (now only 2 bytes are visible [fffe] (BOM))
      - switch back to your log file and select the complete text
      - copy into clipboard
      - switch to HEX-Edit file back and paste here at the end of the two bytes your text
      - disable HEX-Edit

      Now your text should be readable.

      Regards
      Jens

       
    • Nobody/Anonymous

      Thank you.  Now I understand.  The file needs the FF FE bytes to indicate it's format.  However, I was not successful following your detailed steps.  When I got to the part where I selected all in my UNICODE file, then pasted into the Hex Edit window, nothing got pasted.  I tried pasting into the generic Notepad supplied with XP, and nothing got pasted.  It looks like I can't copy into the clipboard!

       
      • AndyS01

        AndyS01 - 2006-11-03

        I used Hex Edit to insert FFEE at the start of my file, but NP++ still read it in as an ASCII file as before.  Is there a way to force UC-LE?  Could I write a plug in that either inserts the FFEE or just forces UC-LE mode?  What about auto-preview? Will I have to write something to make it work with my UNICODE files? I have lots of these files, so I don't want to do lots of manual operations just to see the data.

         
        • Nobody/Anonymous

          For USC encoding it should be FF FE or FF EF but not FF EE!