Notepad++ is a lightweight Windows editor that works well for APDL scripts. The language file supplied by Marc & Structures adds basic highlighting for comments, blocks and selected commands in .mac, .inp and .out files.

Before you start. This guide uses Windows 11 and the standard 64-bit x64 installer. Choose ARM64 only if your Windows device uses an ARM processor. The portable package is useful when you cannot install software, but its setup is outside this guide.

Step 1 — Download the x64 installer

Go to the official downloads page, open the latest stable release and choose Installer under Download 64-bit x64. Do not choose ARM64 unless your computer actually uses that architecture.

Open the official Notepad++ downloads page ↗

Security. Download Notepad++ only from its official website. The screenshots show the current stable release at publication time, but the version number will change.

Step 2 — Run the downloaded file

Open the browser download list or your Downloads folder and run the file whose name begins with npp and ends in Installer.x64.exe.

Windows Downloads folder showing the Notepad++ installer — Double-click the x64 installer downloaded from the official site. 2. Downloaded installer.

Variable Windows prompts. Windows may display a User Account Control or Microsoft Defender SmartScreen prompt. Check that the publisher and downloaded file are the ones you expect before allowing it to run.

Step 3 — Choose the installer language

Select English and continue with OK. The choice affects the installer; you can change the editor interface language later.

Notepad++ installer language selector set to English — Select English and press OK. 3. Installer language. 4. Continue.

Step 4 — Start the setup wizard

The welcome screen confirms that you are installing Notepad++. Close other copies of the editor and continue.

Notepad++ setup wizard welcome screen — Press Next to start the guided installation. 5. Next.

Step 5 — Accept the licence

Read the licence and press I Agree to continue.

Notepad++ licence agreement screen — The installer only continues after you accept the licence. 6. Accept the licence.

Step 6 — Keep the default destination folder

For a standard installation, keep the proposed Program Files folder. Change it only if your organisation has a specific policy.

Notepad++ destination folder screen — The default destination is appropriate for most computers. 7. Default installation path. 8. Continue.

Step 7 — Install the default components

Keep the default component selection. The language definition used in this guide does not require any plugin.

Notepad++ component selection with the defaults enabled — Leave the default components selected and continue. 9. Default component tree. **10.** Continue.

Step 8 — Finish the installation and open Notepad++

A desktop shortcut is optional. Start the installation, leave Run Notepad++ enabled on the final screen and finish the wizard.

Notepad++ installation options and completion screens — Install with the defaults, then launch Notepad++. **11.** Optional desktop shortcut. **12.** Install or Finish.

Step 9 — Download the ANSYS APDL language file

Use the download button at the top of this note. Keep the XML file in Downloads until the import is complete; do not open or edit it.

Download ansys-apdl-notepad++.udl.xml

Step 10 — Open the User Defined Language window

In Notepad++, open Language → User Defined Language → Define your language.

Notepad++ Language menu leading to Define your language — Open the User Defined Language editor from the Language menu. **14.** Language menu. **15.** User Defined Language submenu.

Step 11 — Import the XML file and restart

Press Import, select ansys-apdl-notepad++.udl.xml from Downloads and accept the success message. Close every Notepad++ window and open the application again so the new language is loaded cleanly.

Notepad++ User Defined Language dialog with the Import button highlighted — Press Import, choose the downloaded APDL XML file, confirm and restart Notepad++. **16.** Import button.

Step 12 — Open a .mac file and verify the highlighting

Download and open the M00 test script. Notepad++ should associate the .mac extension with ANSYS APDL automatically. If it does not, select Language → ANSYS APDL manually.

Download 00_session_template.mac

APDL macro open in Notepad++ with syntax highlighting enabled — The .mac file is ready when ANSYS APDL is active and its syntax is visibly highlighted. **19.** Highlighted APDL script. **20.** Active ANSYS APDL language.

Final check. The setup is complete when a .mac file opens with coloured comments and APDL blocks and “User Defined language file — ANSYS APDL” appears in the status bar or ANSYS APDL is selected in the Language menu.

Troubleshooting

Problem	What to do
The installer will not run	Check whether the computer is x64 or ARM64 and download the matching installer.
Import failed	Download the XML again without renaming or editing it. Make sure you are importing the .xml file, not a ZIP.
A duplicate language message appears	ANSYS APDL is already installed. Close the dialog, restart Notepad++ and verify it from the Language menu.
ANSYS APDL is missing from the menu	Close every Notepad++ window, open it again and repeat the import only if it is still missing.
The .mac file has no colours	Choose Language → ANSYS APDL manually and confirm that the file really ends in .mac rather than .mac.txt.

Installer screenshots adapted from Academic Software Helpcenter ; UDL import reference from Manual Latino .

Reference: official Notepad++ user interface manual .

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How to install Notepad++ and enable Ansys APDL syntax highlighting