Where are the recorded macros stored in Notepad++?

Question

In Windows the macros are saved at %AppData%\Notepad++\shortcuts.xml (Windows logo key + E and copy&paste %AppData%\Notepad++\)

Or:

• In Windows < 7 (including Win2008/R2) the macros are saved at C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\Application Data\Notepad++\shortcuts.xml
• In Windows 7|8|10 C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Roaming\Notepad++\shortcuts.xml

Note: You will need to close Notepad++ if you have any new macros you want to 'export'.

---

Here is an example:

<NotepadPlus>
    <InternalCommands />
    <Macros>
        <Macro name="Trim Trailing and save" Ctrl="no" Alt="yes" Shift="yes" Key="83">
            <Action type="2" message="0" wParam="42024" lParam="0" sParam="" />
            <Action type="2" message="0" wParam="41006" lParam="0" sParam="" />
        </Macro>
        <Macro name="abc" Ctrl="no" Alt="no" Shift="no" Key="0">
            <Action type="1" message="2170" wParam="0" lParam="0" sParam="a" />
            <Action type="1" message="2170" wParam="0" lParam="0" sParam="b" />
            <Action type="1" message="2170" wParam="0" lParam="0" sParam="c" />
        </Macro>
    </Macros>
    <UserDefinedCommands>....

I added the 'abc' macro as a proof-of-concept.

For Windows 7 macros are stored at C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Notepad++\shortcuts.xml.

Hit F6

Insert::

npp_open $(PLUGINS_CONFIG_DIR)\..\..\shortcuts.xml

Click OK

You now have the file opened in your editor.

---

Before altering things checkout the related docs:

• Task automation with macros | Notepad++ User Manual
• Configuration Files Details | Notepad++ User Manual (section about the <macros> tag)

On Vista with virtualization on, the file is here. Note that the AppData folder is hidden. Either show hidden folders, or go straight to it by typing %AppData% in the address bar of Windows Explorer.

C:\Users\[user]\AppData\Roaming\Notepad++\shortcuts.xml

You can find the shortcuts.xml in AppData\Roaming\Notepad++\ path only when using the default settings. If you have backup configured, you can find and set the path in Preferences -> Backup -> Backup path.

When these settings are applied, files in AppData directory won't be used.