Sorting Text Files with Notepad++: A Guide to Sorting on Column

In this article, we will explore how to sort text files using the popular text editor Notepad++. Specifically, we will focus on sorting on column, which can be useful when working with large datasets or files that require organization.

To begin with, let's talk about why you would want to sort a text file. Imagine having a list of lines in a file, each with varying lengths and contents. Without some way to organize this data, it can become difficult to work with. This is where sorting comes in. By sorting your text files on column, you can quickly identify patterns, group similar data together, or simply make the file easier to read.

Now that we've established the importance of sorting, let's dive into how to do it using Notepad++. One way to sort text files with Notepad++ is by using its built-in TextFX menu. To access this menu, follow these steps:

1. Open your text file in Notepad++.

2. Go to the 'TextFX' menu and select 'TextFX Tools.'

3. From the drop-down menu, choose 'Sort lines case sensitive (at column).'

This will open a new window with options for sorting. In this window, you can specify which column you want to sort on by entering the corresponding number in the 'Column' field. For example, if you want to sort on the second word, you would enter '2' in this field.

Once you've specified your column, click 'OK' to apply the sort. Notepad++ will then reorganize your text lines based on the length of each line.

Another way to sort text files using Notepad++ is by using the command-line tool awk. This method requires more technical knowledge, but it can be useful for those who are comfortable working with the terminal.

To use awk, follow these steps:

1. Open a terminal window.

2. Run the following command: `awk ' '{print length}' file.txt`

Replace 'file.txt' with the name of your text file. This will print out the length of each line in the file.

3. To sort the output by length, run the following command: `sort -n -k 1 file.txt`

This will sort the lines based on their length.

In conclusion, sorting text files is an important task that can be accomplished using Notepad++ and other tools. Whether you're working with large datasets or simply trying to organize a list of lines, sorting can help make your work easier and more efficient. By following these steps, you can learn how to sort on column using Notepad++ and improve your workflow in the process.

If you have any questions or comments about this article, please feel free to reach out.

Notepad ++ sort on column