Plugin Communication

Plugin Communication: Messages and Notifications

Plugins need to communicate with Notepad++ to get information from it or to instruct it to do some task. This is done by using messages and notifications.

Message and notifications share a similar interface. Where messages are sent by using Windows SendMessage api, notifications are sent by Notepad++ using WM_NOTIFY messages.

These same techniques can also be used for editing macros (some of which use messages to control Notepad++), or when using one of the scripting plugins (which effectively make your script a mini-plugin).

Why both messages and notifications?

Basically, a message may have a return value, and is usually thought as a query, though it can also command actions inside Notepad++. A notification, on the other hand, simply informs of some event and is more usually thought as a command. The extra content of the messages and notifications are different from each other, and are described in their respective sections below.

Notepad++ messages

To send a message to Notepad++ you send its window handle together with the message ID, and two parameters, known as wParam and lParam. The values placed in those two parameters depend on the message, and are explained below. In cases when either wParam, lParam or both are not used, they must be set to 0.

The message IDs for each of these named messages, as well as the enums used with these messages, can be found in the source code in Notepad_plus_msgs.h.

You can also communicate to the Scintilla editor instances inside Notepad++ by using the Scintilla messages, which are documented at the Scintilla website, and the values can be found in Scintilla.h. Note, you need to use one of the two Scintilla handles as the first parameter to SendMessage api function.

The general layout of the following messages look like this

MESSAGE NAME Description

Parameters: wParam [in/out] lParam [in/out]

Return value

MESSAGE NAME gets replaced by a concrete Notepad++ message like NPPM_ACTIVATEDOC.

Description informs about the usage of the message and provides additional information if needed.

wParam and lParam are the parameters to be provided

in/out indicates whether this is an input or output parameter, meaning in case of output Notepad++ will copy some information into the provided buffer

Return value is the value returned by the SendMessage api call.

NPPM_ACTIVATEDOC

Switches to the document by the given view and index.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int iView, which must bei eihter 0 (main view) or 1 (second view).
lParam [in]
int index2Activate
Return value:
Returns True

NPPM_ADDTOOLBARICON (NPPM_ADDTOOLBARICON_DEPRECATED in v8.0)

Deprecated in v8.0. Use NPPM_ADDTOOLBARICON_FORDARKMODE instead. Does not support the Darkmode icons.

Adds an icon to the toolbar. This function only makes sense if called on response to NPPN_TBMODIFICATION notification. cmdID must be a command function id which the plugin registered via getFuncsArray previously. icon is a pointer to the toolbarIcons structure.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
INT cmdID
lParam [in]

toolbarIcons* icon

struct toolbarIconsWithDarkMode {
	HBITMAP	hToolbarBmp;
	HICON	hToolbarIcon;
};
Return value:

Returns True

NPPM_ADDTOOLBARICON_FORDARKMODE

Adds an icon to the toolbar. This function only makes sense if called on response to NPPN_TBMODIFICATION notification. cmdID must be a command function id which the plugin registered via getFuncsArray previously. icon is a pointer to the toolbarIconsWithDarkMode structure.

(Added in v8.0, replacing old NPPM_ADDTOOLBARICON)

Parameters:

wParam [in]
INT cmdID
lParam [in]

toolbarIconsWithDarkMode* icon

struct toolbarIconsWithDarkMode {
	HBITMAP	hToolbarBmp;
	HICON	hToolbarIcon;
	HICON	hToolbarIconDarkMode;
};
Return value:

Returns True

NPPM_ALLOCATECMDID

Obtains a number of consecutive menu item IDs for creating menus dynamically, with the guarantee of these IDs not clashing with any other plugins.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, requested number of IDs.
lParam [out]
int, pointer to allocated range.
Return value:
Returns 0 on failure, nonzero on success

NPPM_ALLOCATEMARKER

Obtains a number of consecutive marker IDs dynamically, with the guarantee of these IDs not clashing with any other plugins.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int numberOfMarkers
lParam [out]
int * firstMarkerID
Return value:
Returns 0 on failure, nonzero on success.

NPPM_ALLOCATESUPPORTED

Use to identify if subclassing is necessary

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
int, must be zero.
Return value:
Returns True always

NPPM_CREATELEXER

Returns the ILexer pointer created by Lexilla. Calls the lexilla CreateLexer() function; allows plugins to set the lexer for a Scintilla instance created by NPPM_CREATESCINTILLAHANDLE

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
const TCHAR * lexer_name, the name of the lexer
Return value:
Returns the ILexer pointer created by Lexilla.

NPPM_CREATESCINTILLAHANDLE

A plugin can create a Scintilla for its usage by sending this message to Notepad++. The handle should be destroyed by NPPM_DESTROYSCINTILLAHANDLE message while exit the plugin.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
HWND pluginWindowHandle, If set (non NULL), it will be the parent window of this created Scintilla handle, otherwise the parent window is Notepad++.
Return value:
Returns the created Scintilla handle.

NPPM_DECODESCI

Changes current buffer view to ansi. view must be either 0 = main view or 1 = second view.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
INT view
lParam [in]
int, must be zero.
Return value:
Returns The new encoding mode.

NPPM_DESTROYSCINTILLAHANDLE

If plugin called NPPM_CREATESCINTILLAHANDLE to create a Scintilla handle, it should call this message to destroy this handle while it exit.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
HWND scintillaHandle2Destroy
Return value:
Returns True

NPPM_DISABLEAUTOUPDATE

Disables the auto update functionality of Notepad++.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
int, must be zero.
Return value:
Returns True

NPPM_DMMGETPLUGINHWNDBYNAME

Retrieves the dialog handle corresponds to the windowName and moduleName. You may need this message if you want to communicate with another plugin “dockable” dialog.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
const TCHAR * windowName
lParam [in]
const TCHAR * moduleName
Return value:
Returns NULL if moduleName is NULL. If windowName is NULL, then the first found window handle which matches with the moduleName will be returned

NPPM_DMMHIDE

Hides the dialog which was previously regeistered by NPPM_DMMREGASDCKDLG.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
HWND hDlg, is the handle of your dialog which should be hidden.
Return value:
Returns True

NPPM_DMMREGASDCKDLG

From v4.0, Notepad++ supports the dockable dialog feature for the plugins. Pass the necessary dockingData to Notepad++ in order to make your dialog dockable. Minimum informations which needs to be filled out are hClient, pszName, dlgID, uMask and pszModuleName. Notice that rcFloat and iPrevCont shouldn’t be filled. They are used internally

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]

tTbData * dockingData

typedef struct {
	HWND        hClient;   // client Window Handle
	const TCHAR *pszName;  // name of plugin (shown in window)
	int         dlgID;     // a funcItem provides the function pointer to start a dialog. Please parse here these ID

	// user modifications
	UINT        uMask;       // mask params: look to above defines
	HICON       hIconTab;    // icon for tabs
	const TCHAR *pszAddInfo; // for plugin to display additional informations

	// internal data, do not use !!!
	RECT          rcFloat;        // floating position
	int           iPrevCont;      // stores the privious container (toggling between float and dock)
	const TCHAR*  pszModuleName;  // it's the plugin file name. It's used to identify the plugin
} tTbData;
Return value:

Returns True

NPPM_DMMSHOW

Shows the dialog which was previously regeistered by NPPM_DMMREGASDCKDLG.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
HWND hDlg, is the handle of your dialog which should be shown.
Return value:
Returns True

NPPM_DMMUPDATEDISPINFO

Updates (redraw) the dialog.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
HWND hDlg, is the handle of the dialog which should be updated.
Return value:
Returns True

NPPM_DMMVIEWOTHERTAB

Shows the plugin dialog with the given name. name should be the same value as previously used to register the dialog.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
TCHAR* name
Return value:
Returns True

NPPM_DOCLISTDISABLECOLUMN

Sets the extension column in Document List panel. If disableOrNot is True, extension column is hidden otherwise it is visible.

Known as NPPM_DOCSWITCHERDISABLECOLUMN in v8.1.2 and earlier.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
BOOL disableOrNot
Return value:
Returns True

NPPM_DOOPEN

Switches or openes a file with given fullPathName2Open.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
TCHAR * fullPathName2Open
Return value:
Returns The return value is True (1) if the operation is successful, otherwise False (0).

NPPM_ENCODESCI

Changes current buffer view to utf8. view must be either 0 = main view or 1 = second view.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
INT view
lParam [in]
int, must be zero.
Return value:
Returns The new encoding mode.

NPPM_GETAPPDATAPLUGINSALLOWED

Retrieves the information whether plugins are loadable from %APPDATA%.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
int, must be zero.
Return value:
Returns True if loading plugins from %APPDATA% is allowed, False otherwise

NPPM_GETBOOKMARKID

Returns the bookmark marker ID. This allows plugins to choose an ID different from the bookmark marker ID, or to intentionally make use of the bookmark marker ID. (New to v8.4.7)

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
int, must be zero.
Return value:
Returns the bookmark ID value as an integer

NPPM_GETBUFFERENCODING

Retrieves the encoding from the document with the given bufferID.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
UINT_PTR bufferID
lParam [in]
int, must be zero.
Return value:
Returns -1 on error, otherwise the encoding number. (see enum UniMode)

NPPM_GETBUFFERFORMAT

Gets the current format of the document with given bufferID.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
UINT_PTR bufferID
lParam [in]
int, must be zero.
Return value:
Returns -1 on error, otherwise documents format (see formatType).

NPPM_GETBUFFERIDFROMPOS

Gets the document buffer ID from the given position.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int position, is 0 based
lParam [in]
int view, which should be either 0 (main view) or 1 (second view)
Return value:
Returns 0 if given position is invalid, otherwise the document buffer ID.

NPPM_GETBUFFERLANGTYPE

Retrieves the language type of the document with the given bufferID.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
UINT_PTR bufferID
lParam [in]
int, must be zero.
Return value:
Returns -1 on error, otherwise a value from enum LangType. Please see the enum LangType for all possible values.

NPPM_GETCURRENTBUFFERID

Returns the buffer ID of the active document.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
int, must be zero.
Return value:
Returns the buffer ID of the active document.

NPPM_GETCURRENTCMDLINE

Get the Current Command Line string. (New to v8.4.2). Users should call it with commandLineStr as NULL to get the required number of TCHAR (not including the terminating nul character), allocate commandLineStr buffer with the return value + 1, then call it again to get the current command line string.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
size_t strLen
lParam [out]
TCHAR * commandLineStr
Return value:
Returns the number of TCHAR copied/to copy.

NPPM_GETCURRENTCOLUMN

Retrieves the column of the caret.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
int, must be zero.
Return value:
Returns the current, 0-based, column position of the caret.

NPPM_GETCURRENTDIRECTORY

Retrieves the directory path of current document. User is responsible to allocate a buffer which is large enough. MAX_PATH is suggested to use.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
size_t directoryPathLen
lParam [out]
TCHAR * directoryPath
Return value:
Returns True on success and False if provided directoryPath buffer is not large enough

NPPM_GETCURRENTDOCINDEX

Retrieves the current index of the current view.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
int iView, which must bei eihter 0 (main view) or 1 (second view).
Return value:
Returns -1 if the view is invisible (hidden), otherwise is the current index.

NPPM_GETCURRENTLANGTYPE

Retrieves the language type of the current document.

Parameters:

wParam [ in ]
int, must be zero.
lParam [ out ]
int * langType, pointer to the buffer receiving the language type of the current document Please see the enum LangType for all possible values.
Return value
Returns always True

NPPM_GETCURRENTLINE

Retrieves the line of the caret.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
int, must be zero.
Return value:
Returns the current, 0-based, line position of the caret.

NPPM_GETCURRENTLINESTR

Retrieves the text of the current line. User is responsible to allocate a buffer which is large enough.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
size_t strLen
lParam [out]
TCHAR * strLine
Return value:
Returns True on success and False if provided strLine buffer is not large enough

NPPM_GETCURRENTMACROSTATUS

Gets the current macro status (idle, recording, stopped, and playing back) as an enumeration class object. (Added v8.3.3)

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
int, must be zero.
Return value:
An object of the enumeration class MacroStatus, with values:
MacroStatus::Idle - means macro is not in use and it’s empty
MacroStatus::RecordInProgress - macro is currently being recorded
MacroStatus::RecordingStopped - macro recording has been stopped
MacroStatus::PlayingBack - macro is currently being played back

NPPM_GETCURRENTNATIVELANGENCODING

Retrieves the code page associated with the current localisation of Notepad++.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
int, must be zero.
Return value:
Returns As of v6.6.6, returned values are 1252 (ISO 8859-1), 437 (OEM US) or 950 (Big5).

NPPM_GETCURRENTSCINTILLA

Retrieves the current Scintilla view

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [out]

int * currentEdit, pointer to the buffer receiving the current view. The returned value can be one of the following:

	Value        Meaning
	  0          The main view
	  1          The second view
	 -1          In case of an error
Return value:

Returns always True

NPPM_GETCURRENTVIEW

*Retrieves the current used view. *

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
int, must be zero.
Return value:
Returns Either 0 when main view is active or 1 if secondary view is active.

NPPM_GETCURRENTWORD

Retrieves the word containing the caret. User is responsible to allocate a buffer which is large enough.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
size_t currentWordLen
lParam [out]
TCHAR * currentWord
Return value:
Returns True on success and False if provided currentWord buffer is not large enough

NPPM_GETDARKMODECOLORS

Retrieves the colors used in Dark Mode. User is responsible to allocate a buffer which is large enough. (Added v8.4.1)

Parameters:

wParam [in]
size_t cbSize - must be filled with sizeof(NppDarkMode::Colors)
lParam [out]
NppDarkMode::Colors* returnColors - must be a pre-allocated NppDarkMode::Colors struct
Return value:
Returns True on success and False if provided currentWord buffer is not large enough
Data Structure : namespace NppDarkMode { struct Colors { COLORREF background = 0; COLORREF softerBackground = 0; COLORREF hotBackground = 0; COLORREF pureBackground = 0; COLORREF errorBackground = 0; COLORREF text = 0; COLORREF darkerText = 0; COLORREF disabledText = 0; COLORREF linkText = 0; COLORREF edge = 0; }; }

NPPM_GETEDITORDEFAULTBACKGROUNDCOLOR

Retrieves the current editor default background color.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
int, must be zero.
Return value:
Returns The color as integer with hex format being 0x00bbggrr

NPPM_GETEDITORDEFAULTFOREGROUNDCOLOR

Retrieves the current editor default foreground.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
int, must be zero.
Return value:
Returns The color as integer with hex format being 0x00bbggrr

NPPM_GETENABLETHEMETEXTUREFUNC

Returns if visual style of the background of a dialog window is enabled or not.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
int, must be zero.
Return value:
Returns A proc address or NULL

NPPM_GETEXTERNALLEXERAUTOINDENTMODE

Get ExternalLexerAutoIndentMode for an installed external programming language. Puts that mode in the output object. (Added v8.3.3)

Parameters:

wParam [in]
const tChar* languageName, the name of the language to get
lParam [out]
ExternalLexerAutoIndentMode &autoIndentMode, an object of the enumeration class ExternalLexerAutoIndentMode, with values:
ExternalLexerAutoIndentMode::Standard => 0
ExternalLexerAutoIndentMode::C_Like => 1
ExternalLexerAutoIndentMode::Custom => 2
Return value:
TRUE for successful searches, otherwise FALSE.

NPPM_GETEXTPART

Retrieves the extension of the filename of the current document. User is responsible to allocate a buffer which is large enough. MAX_PATH is suggested to use.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
size_t extensionLen
lParam [out]
TCHAR * extension
Return value:
Returns True on success and False if provided extension buffer is not large enough

NPPM_GETFILENAME

Retrieves the file name of current document. User is responsible to allocate a buffer which is large enough. MAX_PATH is suggested to use.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
size_t fileNameLen
lParam [out]
TCHAR * fileName
Return value:
Returns True on success and False if provided fileName buffer is not large enough

NPPM_GETFILENAMEATCURSOR

Retrieves the filename at the current caret position. Note, while this message has been created, and is used internally, to retrieve a filename at the current caret position, it does return anything which fulfils the requirements, even single words.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
INT length
lParam [out]
TCHAR* buffer
Return value:
Returns True if the size of the provided buffer is large enough, False otherwise.

NPPM_GETFULLCURRENTPATH

Retrieves the full path of the current document. User is responsible to allocate a buffer which is large enough. MAX_PATH is suggested to use.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
size_t fullPathLen
lParam [out]
TCHAR * fullPath
Return value:
Returns True on success and False if provided fullPath buffer is not large enough

NPPM_GETFULLPATHFROMBUFFERID

Gets the full path file name from the given bufferID. First call should be made with buffer set to NULL to retrieve the actual size needed. Second call is sent with correctly allocated buffer, +1 for trailing null, to retrieve the full path file name.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
UINT_PTR bufferID
lParam [out]
TCHAR * buffer
Return value:
Returns -1 if bufferID does not exist, otherwise the number of chars copied/to copy.

NPPM_GETLANGUAGEDESC

Retrieves the description of the current language used. First call should be made with buffer set to NULL to retrieve the actual size needed. Second call is sent with correctly allocated buffer to retrieve the description.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int langTypeID
lParam [out]
TCHAR* buffer
Return value:
Returns The number of characters needed or copied

NPPM_GETLANGUAGENAME

Retrieves the name of the current language used. First call should be made with buffer set to NULL to retrieve the actual size needed. Second call is sent with correctly allocated buffer to retrieve the language name.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int langTypeID
lParam [out]
TCHAR* buffer
Return value:
Returns The number of characters needed or copied

NPPM_GETLINENUMBERWIDTHMODE

Get line number margin width in dynamic width mode (LINENUMWIDTH_DYNAMIC) or constant width mode (LINENUMWIDTH_CONSTANT)

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
int, must be zero.
Return value:
Returns the line number margin width mode, either the LINENUMWIDTH_DYNAMIC or LINENUMWIDTH_CONSTANT value.

NPPM_GETMENUHANDLE

Retrieves either the plugin or the main menu handle of Notepad++.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int whichMenu, which can be 0 (plugin menu) or 1 (main menu)
lParam [in]
int, must be zero.
Return value:
Returns the requested menu handle.

NPPM_GETNAMEPART

Retrieves the part of filename, without extension, of the current document. User is responsible to allocate a buffer which is large enough. MAX_PATH is suggested to use.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
size_t namePartLen
lParam [out]
TCHAR * namePart
Return value:
Returns True on success and False if provided namePart buffer is not large enough

NPPM_GETNBOPENFILES

Retrieves the number of files currently open

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]

Integer of one of the following values:

	Value        Meaning
	  0          the total number of files opened in Notepad++
	  1          number of files opened in the main view
	  2          number of files opened in the second view
Return value:

Returns number of open files

NPPM_GETNBSESSIONFILES

Retrieves the number of files to load in the session sessionFileName. sessionFileName should be a full path name of an xml file.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
const TCHAR * sessionFileName
Return value:
Returns 0 if sessionFileName is NULL or an empty string else the number of files.

NPPM_GETNBUSERLANG

Retrieves the number of user defined languages and, optionally, the starting menu id. Note, udlID is optional, if not used set it to 0, otherwise an integer pointer is needed to retrieve the menu identifier.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [out]
INT* udlID
Return value:
Returns The number of user defined languages identified

NPPM_GETNPPDIRECTORY

Retrieves the full path of the directory where the Notepad++ binary is located. User is responsible to allocate a buffer which is large enough. MAX_PATH is suggested to use.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
size_t nppDirLen
lParam [out]
TCHAR * nppDir
Return value:
Returns True on success and False if provided nppDir buffer is not large enough

NPPM_GETNPPFULLFILEPATH

Retrieves the full path of the Notepad++ executable.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
INT length
lParam [out]
TCHAR* buffer
Return value:
Returns True if the provided buffer size was big enough to write the full path to it, False otherwise.

NPPM_GETNPPVERSION

Retrieves the current Notepad++ version. The value is made up of 2 parts: the major version (the high word) and minor version (the low word). Note that this message is supported by the v4.7 or higher version; earlier versions return 0. v8.4.1 adds the ability to pad the result to make comparisons between versions like 8.4.1 and 8.5 easier (without the padding, they would have been 8|41 and 8|5, and since 5 is less than 41, it would have incorrectly shown up as 8.5 coming before 8.41; with the padding flag on, they will be 8|410 and 8|500, so 8.5 will properly come after 8.4.1).

Parameters:

wParam [in]

Boolean ADD_ZERO_PADDING, will add zero padding, as per the tables below:

ADD_ZERO_PADDING == TRUE

version  | HIWORD | LOWORD
-----------------------------
8.9.6.4  | 8      | 964
9        | 9      | 0
6.9      | 6      | 900
6.6.6    | 6      | 660
13.6.6.6 | 13     | 666


ADD_ZERO_PADDING == FALSE

version  | HIWORD | LOWORD
-----------------------------
8.9.6.4  | 8      | 964
9        | 9      | 0
6.9      | 6      | 9
6.6.6    | 6      | 66
13.6.6.6 | 13     | 666
lParam [in]

int, must be zero.

Return value:

Returns a LONG value containing the current version.

NPPM_GETOPENFILENAMES

Retrieves the open files of both views. User is responsible to allocate an big enough fileNames array.

Parameters:

wParam [out]
TCHAR ** fileNames, receives the full path names of all the opened files in Notepad++
lParam [in]
int nbFile, is the size of the fileNames array. Get this value by using NPPM_NBOPENFILES message with constant ALL_OPEN_FILES, then allocate fileNames array with this value.
Return value:
Returns The number of files copied into fileNames array.

NPPM_GETOPENFILENAMESPRIMARY

Retrieves the open files of the main view. User is responsible to allocate an big enough fileNames array.

Parameters:

wParam [out]
TCHAR ** fileNames, receives the full path names of the opened files in the primary view
lParam [in]
int nbFile, is the size of the fileNames array. Get this value by using NPPM_NBOPENFILES message with constant PRIMARY_VIEW, then allocate fileNames array with this value.
Return value:
Returns The number of files copied into fileNames array.

NPPM_GETOPENFILENAMESSECOND

Retrieves the open files of the secondary view. User is responsible to allocate an big enough fileNames array.

Parameters:

wParam [out]
TCHAR ** fileNames, receives the full path names of the opened files in the second view
lParam [in]
int nbFile, is the size of your fileNames array. You should get this value by using NPPM_NBOPENFILES message with constant SECOND_VIEW, then allocate fileNames array with this value.
Return value:
Returns The number of files copied into fileNames array.

NPPM_GETPLUGINHOMEPATH

Retrieves the plugin home root path. First call should be made with length set to 0 and buffer set to NULL to retrieve the actual size of the path. Second call sends the correct length and allocated buffer, both +1 for trailing NULL, to get the path name.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
SIZE_T length
lParam [out]
TCHAR* buffer
Return value:
Returns the number of TCHAR copied to buffer without trailing NULL.

NPPM_GETPLUGINSCONFIGDIR

Retrieves the path of the plugin config directory. User is responsible to allocate a buffer which is large enough. MAX_PATH is suggested to use.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int strLen
lParam [out]
TCHAR *pluginsConfDir
Return value:
Returns True

NPPM_GETPOSFROMBUFFERID

Gets 0-based document position from given buffer ID, which is held in the 30 lowest bits of the return value on success. Bit 30 indicates which view has the buffer (clear for main view, set for sub view).

Parameters:

wParam [in]
UINT_PTR bufferID
lParam [in]
int, must be zero.
Return value:
Returns -1 if bufferID doesn’t exist else the position.

NPPM_GETSETTINGSONCLOUDPATH

Get settings on cloud path. It’s useful if plugins want to store its settings on Cloud, if this path is set. (added v7.9.2).

First call should be made with buffer set to NULL to retrieve the actual size needed. Second call is sent with correctly allocated buffer, +1 for trailing null, to retrieve the full path file name.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
size_t strLen, maximum bytes to read for the path string, including the final NULL byte
lParam [out]
TCHAR *settingsOnCloudPath, the path for cloud settings obtained by this message
Return value:
Returns the length of the path string

NPPM_GETSESSIONFILES

Retrieves the files’ full path name from a session file.

Parameters:

wParam [out]
TCHAR ** sessionFileArray, the array in which the files’ full path of the same group are written. To allocate the array with the proper size, send message NPPM_GETNBSESSIONFILES.
lParam [in]
const TCHAR * sessionFileName, the path to the session file from which you retrieve the files
Return value:
Returns True

NPPM_GETSHORTCUTBYCMDID

Gets the mapped plugin command shortcut. May be called after getting NPPN_READY notification.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int cmdID
lParam [out]

ShortcutKey * sk, which is defined as

struct ShortcutKey {
	bool _isCtrl;
	bool _isAlt;
	bool _isShift;
	UCHAR _key;
}
Return value:

Returns True if this function call is successful and shortcut is enable, otherwise False

NPPM_GETWINDOWSVERSION

Retrieves the windows operating system version.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
int, must be zero.
Return value:
Returns a value of enum winVer. Possible values are
WV_UNKNOWN
WV_WIN32S
WV_95
WV_98
WV_ME
WV_NT
WV_W2K
WV_XP
WV_S2003
WV_XPX64
WV_VISTA

NPPM_HIDEMENU

Either hides or shows the menubar.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
BOOL hideOrNot
Return value:
Returns the previous status before this operation.

NPPM_HIDESTATUSBAR

Either hides or shows the statusbar.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
BOOL hideOrNot
Return value:
Returns the previous status before this operation.

NPPM_HIDETABBAR

Either hides or shows the tabbar.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
BOOL hideOrNot
Return value:
Returns the previous status before this operation.

NPPM_HIDETOOLBAR

Either hides or shows the toolbar.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
BOOL hideOrNot
Return value:
Returns the previous status before this operation.

NPPM_ISAUTOINDENTON

Checks the current Use Auto-Indentation setting in Notepad++ Preferences. (Added v8.3.3)

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
int, must be zero.
Return value:
TRUE if Auto-Indentation is on, FALSE otherwise.

NPPM_ISDOCLISTSHOWN

Checks the visibility of the Document List panel.

Known as NPPM_ISDOCSWITCHERSHOWN in v8.1.2 and earlier.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
int, must be zero.
Return value:
Returns True if the Document List panel is currently shown, False otherwise

NPPM_ISDARKMODEENABLED

Notepad++ Dark Mode is enable. (Added v8.4.1)

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
int, must be zero.
Return value:
TRUE when Notepad++ Dark Mode is enable, FALSE when it is not.

NPPM_ISMENUHIDDEN

Retrieves the current status of menubar.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
int, must be zero.
Return value:
Returns True if the menubar is hidden, False otherwise.

NPPM_ISSTATUSBARHIDDEN

Retrieves the current status of the statusbar.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
int, must be zero.
Return value:
Returns True if the status bar is hidden, False otherwise.

NPPM_ISTABBARHIDDEN

Retrieves the current status of tabbar.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
int, must be zero.
Return value:
Returns True if the tabbar is hidden, False otherwise.

NPPM_ISTOOLBARHIDDEN

Retrieves the current status of toolbar.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
int, must be zero.
Return value:
Returns True if the toolbar is hidden, False otherwise.

NPPM_LAUNCHFINDINFILESDLG

Triggers the Find in files dialog.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
TCHAR * dir2Search or NULL
lParam [in]
TCHAR * filter or NULL
Return value:
Returns True

NPPM_LOADSESSION

Opens all files of same session in Notepad++ via a xml format session file sessionFileName.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
const TCHAR * sessionFileName
Return value:
Returns True

NPPM_MAKECURRENTBUFFERDIRTY

Makes the current document dirty, aka sets the save state to unsaved.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
int, must be zero.
Return value:
Returns True

NPPM_MENUCOMMAND

Calls all possible Notepad++ menu commands.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
int commandID, see menuCmdID.h for all possible values.
Return value:
Returns True

NPPM_MODELESSDIALOG

For each created dialog in your plugin, you should register it (and unregister while destroy it) to Notepad++ by using this message. If this message is ignored, then your dialog won’t react with the key stroke messages such as TAB key. For the good functioning of your plugin dialog, you’re recommended to not ignore this message.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int op, the operation mode. MODELESSDIALOGADD is to register and MODELESSDIALOGREMOVE is to unregister.
lParam [in]
HWND hDlg, is the handle of the dialog to be registered
Return value:
Returns True

NPPM_MSGTOPLUGIN

Allows the communication between 2 plugins. For example, plugin X can execute a command of plugin Y if plugin X knows the command ID and the file name of plugin Y.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
TCHAR * destModuleName, is the complete module name (with the extesion .dll) of plugin with which you want to communicate (plugin Y).
lParam [out]

CommunicationInfo * info

struct CommunicationInfo {
	long internalMsg;
	const TCHAR * srcModuleName;
	void * info; // defined by plugin
};

internalMsg is an integer defined by plugin Y, known by plugin X, identifying the message being sent.

srcModuleName is the complete module name (with the extesion .dll) of caller(plugin X).

info is defined by plugin, the informations to be exchanged between X and Y. It’s a void pointer so it should be defined by plugin Y and known by plugin X. The returned value is TRUE if Notepad++ found the plugin by its module name (destModuleName), and pass the info (communicationInfo) to the module. The returned value is FALSE if no plugin with such name is found.

Return value:

Returns True if Notepad++ found the plugin by its module name (destModuleName), and pass the info (communicationInfo) to the module, False otherwise.

NPPM_RELOADBUFFERID

Reloads the document with the given bufferID. If doAlertOrNot is True, then a message box will display to ask user to reload the document, otherwise document will be loaded without asking user.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
UINT_PTR bufferID
lParam [in]
BOOL doAlertOrNot
Return value:
Returns True on success, False otherwise

NPPM_RELOADFILE

Reloads the file indicated by filePathName2Reload.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
BOOL withAlert, if True then an alert message box will be launched.
lParam [in]
TCHAR *filePathName2Reload
Return value:
Returns True

NPPM_REMOVESHORTCUTBYCMDID

Removes the assigned shortcut mapped to cmdID.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int32 cmdID
lParam [in]
int, must be zero.
Return value:
Returns True if function call is successful, False otherwise.

NPPM_SAVEALLFILES

Saves all opened documents.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
int, must be zero.
Return value:
Returns True

NPPM_SAVECURRENTFILE

Saves the current document.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
int, must be zero.
Return value:
Returns True

NPPM_SAVECURRENTFILEAS

Saves the current file. saveAsCopy must be either 0 to save, or 1 to save a copy of the current filename.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int saveAsCopy
lParam [in]
TCHAR* filename
Return value:
Returns True on success, False otherwise

NPPM_SAVECURRENTSESSION

Saves the current opened files in Notepad++ as a group of files (session) as an xml file. The xml full path name has to be provided by sessionFileName.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
const TCHAR *sessionFileName
Return value:
Returns True

NPPM_SAVEFILE

Saves a specific file. filename must be the full file path for the file to be saved.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
const TCHAR* filename
Return value:
Returns True on success False otherwise

NPPM_SAVESESSION

Creates an session file for a defined set of files. sessionInfo is a pointer to sessionInfo structure. Note, contrary to NPPM_SAVECURRENTSESSION, which saves the current opened files, this call can be used to freely define any file which should be part of a session.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
sessionInfo*
Return value:
Returns On success a TCHAR* to full path of the session filename to be saved or NULL otherwise

NPPM_SETBUFFERENCODING

Sets the document encoding for the given bufferID. Can only be done on new, unedited files.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
UINT_PTR bufferID
lParam [in]
UniMode encoding
Return value:
Returns True on success, False otherwise.

NPPM_SETBUFFERFORMAT

Sets format to the document with the given bufferID.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
UINT_PTR bufferID
lParam [in]
formatType format
Return value:
Returns True on success, False otherwise.

NPPM_SETBUFFERLANGTYPE

Sets the language type of the document based on the given bufferID. See enum LangType for valid values, L_USER and L_EXTERNAL are not supported.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
UINT_PTR bufferID
lParam [in]
LangType type2Set
Return value:
Returns True on success, False otherwise.

NPPM_SETCURRENTLANGTYPE

Sets a new language type to the current used document.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
int langType, please see the enum LangType for all possible values.
Return value:
Returns True

NPPM_SETEDITORBORDEREDGE

Extends the Scintilla window with an extra style. If value is True adds an additional sunken edge style to the Scintilla window else it removes the extended style from the window. See MSDN Extended Window Styles for more information.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
BOOL value
Return value:
Returns True

NPPM_SETEXTERNALLEXERAUTOINDENTMODE

Set ExternalLexerAutoIndentMode for an installed external programming language. (Added v8.3.3)

Parameters:

wParam [in]
const tChar* languageName, the name of the language to set
lParam [in]
ExternalLexerAutoIndentMode autoIndentMode, an object of the enumeration class ExternalLexerAutoIndentMode, where you supply one of the following values:
ExternalLexerAutoIndentMode::Standard => 0
ExternalLexerAutoIndentMode::C_Like => 1
ExternalLexerAutoIndentMode::Custom => 2
Return value:
TRUE for successful searches, otherwise FALSE.

NPPM_SETLINENUMBERWIDTHMODE

Set line number margin width in dynamic width mode (LINENUMWIDTH_DYNAMIC) or constant width mode (LINENUMWIDTH_CONSTANT). It may help some plugins to disable non-dynamic line number margins width to have a smooth visual effect while vertical scrolling the content in Notepad++

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
int widthMode, must be one of the values LINENUMWIDTH_DYNAMIC or LINENUMWIDTH_CONSTANT.
Return value:
Returns True on success, False on failure

NPPM_SETMENUITEMCHECK

Sets or removes the check on a menu item.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int cmdID, is the command ID which corresponds to the menu item
lParam [in]
BOOL doCheck
Return value:
Returns True

NPPM_SETSMOOTHFONT

Uses underlying Scintilla command SCI_SETFONTQUALITY to manage the font quality. If value is True, this message sets SC_EFF_QUALITY_LCD_OPTIMIZED else SC_EFF_QUALITY_DEFAULT

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
BOOL value
Return value:
Returns True

NPPM_SETSTATUSBAR

Sets value in the specified field of a statusbar.

Parameters:

wParam [in]

int field, possible values are

STATUSBAR_DOC_TYPE      0
STATUSBAR_DOC_SIZE      1
STATUSBAR_CUR_POS       2
STATUSBAR_EOF_FORMAT    3
STATUSBAR_UNICODE_TYPE  4
STATUSBAR_TYPING_MODE   5
lParam [out]

TCHAR * value, pointer to the new value.

Return value:

Returns 0 on failure, nonzero on success

NPPM_SHOWDOCLIST

Show or hide the Document List panel. If toShowOrNot is True, the Document List panel is shown otherwise it is hidden.

Known as NPPM_SHOWDOCSWITCHER in v8.1.2 and earlier.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
BOOL toShowOrNot
Return value:
Returns True

NPPM_SWITCHTOFILE

Switches to the document which matches with the given filePathName2switch.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int, must be zero.
lParam [in]
TCHAR *filePathName2switch
Return value:
Returns True

NPPM_TRIGGERTABBARCONTEXTMENU

Triggers the tabbar context menu for the given view and index.

Parameters:

wParam [in]
int whichView
lParam [in]
int index2Activate
Return value:
Returns True

Notepad++ notifications

A notification is sent using a WM_NOTIFY message and therefore uses the NMHDR structure.

The three structure fields are, basically, three integer values. hwndFrom and idFrom holding the provided information of the notification. The integers might be pointers to structures/arrays, which, if present, are documented. code is always set to the ID of the Notification.

The notification IDs for each of these named notifications can be found in the source code in Notepad_plus_msgs.h.

Most of the time hwndFrom is set to hwndNpp which represents the window handle of the current Notepad++ instance. BufferID, mostly used in idFrom, refers to an ID which uniquely identifies a document A 0 (NULL) in either hwndFrom or idFrom indicate that the field is unused.

The general layout of the following notifications look like this

NOTIFICATION NAME Description

Fields
code
hwndFrom
idFrom

NOTIFICATION NAME gets replaced by a concrete Notepad++ notification like NPPN_READY. Description informs about the usage of the notification and provides additional information if needed. Fields are the parameters to be provided by the notification.

NPPN_BEFORESHUTDOWN

To notify plugins that Npp shutdown has been triggered, files have not been closed yet

Fields:

code:       NPPN_BEFORESHUTDOWN
hwndFrom:   hwndNpp
idFrom:     0

NPPN_BUFFERACTIVATED

To notify plugins that a buffer was activated (put to foreground).

Fields:

code:       NPPN_BUFFERACTIVATED
hwndFrom:   hwndNpp
idFrom:     BufferID

NPPN_CANCELSHUTDOWN

To notify plugins that Npp shutdown has been cancelled

Fields:

code:       NPPN_CANCELSHUTDOWN
hwndFrom:   hwndNpp
idFrom:     0

NPPN_CMDLINEPLUGINMSG

To notify plugins that the new argument for plugins (via -pluginMessage="YOUR_PLUGIN_ARGUMENT" in command line) is available. (New to v8.4.2).

Fields:

code:       NPPN_CMDLINEPLUGINMSG
hwndFrom:   hwndNpp
idFrom:     pluginMessage, where pluginMessage is pointer of type wchar_t

NPPN_DARKMODECHANGED

To notify plugins that Dark Mode was changed (either enabled or disabled). (Added v8.4.1)

Fields:

code:       NPPN_DARKMODECHANGED
hwndFrom:   hwndNpp
idFrom:     0

NPPN_DOCORDERCHANGED

To notify plugins that document order is changed

Fields:

code:       NPPN_DOCORDERCHANGED
hwndFrom:   newIndex
idFrom:     BufferID

NPPN_FILEBEFORECLOSE

To notify plugins that the current file is about to be closed

Fields:

code:       NPPN_FILEBEFORECLOSE
hwndFrom:   hwndNpp
idFrom:     BufferID

NPPN_FILEBEFOREDELETE

To notify plugins that file is to be deleted

Fields:

code:       NPPN_FILEBEFOREDELETE
hwndFrom:   hwndNpp
idFrom:     BufferID

NPPN_FILEBEFORELOAD

To notify plugins that the current file is about to be loaded

Fields:

code:       NPPN_FILEBEFORELOAD
hwndFrom:   hwndNpp
idFrom:     NULL

NPPN_FILEBEFOREOPEN

To notify plugins that the current file is about to be opened

Fields:

code:       NPPN_FILEBEFOREOPEN
hwndFrom:   hwndNpp
idFrom:     BufferID

NPPN_FILEBEFORERENAME

To notify plugins that file is to be renamed

Fields:

code:       NPPN_FILEBEFORERENAME
hwndFrom:   hwndNpp
idFrom:     BufferID

NPPN_FILEBEFORESAVE

To notify plugins that the current file is about to be saved

Fields:

code:       NPPN_FILEBEFORESAVE
hwndFrom:   hwndNpp
idFrom:     BufferID

NPPN_FILECLOSED

To notify plugins that the current file is just closed

Fields:

code:       NPPN_FILECLOSED
hwndFrom:   hwndNpp
idFrom:     BufferID

NPPN_FILEDELETED

To notify plugins that file has been deleted

Fields:

code:       NPPN_FILEDELETED
hwndFrom:   hwndNpp
idFrom:     BufferID

NPPN_FILEDELETEFAILED

To notify plugins that file deletion has failed

Fields:

code:       NPPN_FILEDELETEFAILED
hwndFrom:   hwndNpp
idFrom:     BufferID

NPPN_FILELOADFAILED

To notify plugins that file open operation failed

Fields:

code:       NPPN_FILELOADFAILED
hwndFrom:   hwndNpp
idFrom:     BufferID

NPPN_FILEOPENED

To notify plugins that the current file is just opened

Fields:

code:       NPPN_FILEOPENED
hwndFrom:   hwndNpp
idFrom:     BufferID

NPPN_FILERENAMECANCEL

To notify plugins that file rename has been cancelled

Fields:

code:       NPPN_FILERENAMECANCEL
hwndFrom:   hwndNpp
idFrom:     BufferID

NPPN_FILERENAMED

To notify plugins that file has been renamed

Fields:

code:       NPPN_FILERENAMED
hwndFrom:   hwndNpp
idFrom:     BufferID

NPPN_FILESAVED

To notify plugins that the current file is just saved

Fields:

code:       NPPN_FILESAVED
hwndFrom:   hwndNpp
idFrom:     BufferID

NPPN_LANGCHANGED

To notify plugins that the language in the current doc is just changed.

Fields:

code:       NPPN_LANGCHANGED
hwndFrom:   hwndNpp
idFrom:     BufferID

NPPN_READONLYCHANGED

To notify plugins that current document change the readonly status,

Fields:

code:       NPPN_READONLYCHANGED
hwndFrom:   BufferID
idFrom:     docStatus, either one or the combination of the following values
            DOCSTATUS_READONLY    1
            DOCSTATUS_BUFFERDIRTY 2

NPPN_READY

To notify plugins that all the procedures of launchment of notepad++ are done.

Fields:

code:       NPPN_READY
hwndFrom:   hwndNpp
idFrom:     0

NPPN_SHORTCUTREMAPPED

To notify plugins that plugin command shortcut is remapped.

Fields:

code:       NPPN_SHORTCUTREMAPPED
hwndFrom:   ShortcutKeyStructurePointer, which is defined as
            struct ShortcutKey {
                bool _isCtrl
                bool _isAlt
                bool _isShift
                UCHAR _key
            }

idFrom:     cmdID, the ID of the command shortcut

NPPN_SHUTDOWN

To notify plugins that Notepad++ is about to be shutdowned.

Fields:

code:       NPPN_SHUTDOWN
hwndFrom:   hwndNpp
idFrom:     0

NPPN_SNAPSHOTDIRTYFILELOADED

To notify plugins that a snapshot dirty file is loaded on startup

Fields:

code:       NPPN_SNAPSHOTDIRTYFILELOADED
hwndFrom:   NULL
idFrom:     BufferID

NPPN_TBMODIFICATION

To notify plugins that toolbar icons can be registered

Fields:

code:       NPPN_TBMODIFICATION
hwndFrom:   hwndNpp
idFrom:     0

NPPN_WORDSTYLESUPDATED

To notify plugins that user initiated a WordStyleDlg change.

Fields:

code:       NPPN_WORDSTYLESUPDATED
hwndFrom:   hwndNpp
idFrom:     BufferID