One of the extra features built into Notepad++ is a Base64 encoder and decoder. Base64 is an encoding scheme that is designed to be a safe standard for transmission of binary data over channels that only reliably support text data. Base64 has 64 possible characters that the output can be encoded as a-z, A-Z, 0-9, “+”, and “/”. Base64 also uses the “=” symbol as a padding character on the end of the encoded data, where required. These characters are not used as meaningful or active characters in most text-based communication standards. This means that Base64 encoded data is safe and can’t accidentally do things like close HTML tags.
How to Base64 encode and decode in Notepad++
To encode or decode Base64 data you need to first highlight the entire range of data you want to be encoded or decoded. Next, click on “Plugins” in the top bar, then “MIME Tools”. In the second level of the menu you can see all of the Base64 encode and decode options.
Tip: The encoders only work on selected data, make sure you highlight all the data you want encoded first.
“Base64 Encode” encodes all of the selected data into one Base64 string but omits the padding character even if it’s needed. This could cause compatibility issues with some Base64 decoders.
“Base64 Encode with padding” encodes all selected data but includes the padding where it’s needed. “Base64 Encode with Unix EOL” specifically uses an “End Of Line” (EOL) character used by Unix systems, rather than the default Windows EOL. This can be helpful if a Unix Based command-line decoder is failing to decode the data.
“Base64 Encode by line” encodes each separate line of data into a separate Base64 string. “Base64 Decode” decodes a single Base64 encoded string but may show corrupted output if there are unexpected characters. “Base64 Decode strict” decodes a single Base64 string but will throw an error message if an unexpected character is detected, such as “&”.
“Base64 Decode by line” can decode multiple separate Base64 strings at once if they’re on new lines.
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