How do I replace all text in Notepad?

To replace all occurrences of specific text in Notepad, you will use its built-in "Replace" feature, which allows you to find and substitute text throughout your entire document.

Accessing the Replace Dialog Box

There are several straightforward methods to open the "Replace" dialog box in Notepad:

1. Using a Keyboard Shortcut (Recommended):
   • The quickest way is to press the Ctrl + H keys on your keyboard simultaneously.
   • Alternatively, you can first select (highlight) text you want to search for, and then press Ctrl + H to open the dialog. However, selecting text beforehand is not necessary for a full document search and replace.
2. From the Menu Bar:
   • Click on the Edit option in the menu bar at the top of the Notepad window.
   • From the dropdown menu that appears, select Replace.

Steps to Replace All Text in Your Document

Once the "Replace" dialog box is open, follow these steps to execute a complete text replacement:

1. Identify Text to Find: In the "Find what:" field, type the exact word, phrase, or character string you wish to locate within your document.

2. Specify Replacement Text: In the "Replace with:" field, enter the new text that will substitute all instances of the "Find what" text.

3. Execute "Replace All":

   • To replace only the next occurrence of the text found, click the Replace button.
   • To replace every instance of the specified text throughout your entire Notepad document, click the Replace All button.

   Practical Tip: Before committing to "Replace All," you might want to use the "Find Next" button a few times to preview what will be replaced, ensuring it's the intended text.

Understanding Replacement Options

The "Replace" dialog box in Notepad includes a couple of options to refine your search and replace operation:

• Match case: If this checkbox is selected, the search will be case-sensitive. For example, "Apple" would not match "apple". If unchecked, the search ignores case.
• Wrap around: When this checkbox is selected, Notepad will continue the search from the beginning of the document once it reaches the end, ensuring all occurrences are found, regardless of where your cursor was when you started the search.

Example: Changing a Word Globally

Imagine you have a document where you've used the word "organise" multiple times, but now you need to change all instances to "organize".

1. Open your document in Notepad.
2. Press Ctrl + H to open the Replace dialog.
3. In the "Find what:" box, type organise.
4. In the "Replace with:" box, type organize.
5. To ensure all variations (e.g., "Organise") are also caught, make sure the "Match case" checkbox is unchecked.
6. Click the Replace All button.

Instantly, all occurrences of "organise" will be changed to "organize" throughout your Notepad file.

Quick Reference: Notepad Find & Replace

Action	Keyboard Shortcut	Menu Path
Open Replace Dialog	Ctrl + H	Edit > Replace
Find Dialog (only find)	Ctrl + F	Edit > Find
Find Next	F3	Edit > Find Next

For more details on text editing and other features in Notepad, you can refer to official Windows support resources like the Microsoft Support website.