A hack to build latex files from Notepad++ in Windows

• Clone this repo in a directory of your choice, we will be needing the folder NppExec and miktex_to_latex.bat file.
• Install MiKTeX. (MiKTeX is for building LaTeX files)
• Install Sumatra PDF. (A light-weight pdf that helps us in preview)
• Copy the NppExec folder to Notepad++\plugins directory. (This plugin helps to run our own script)
• Copy the miktex_to_latex.bat file to Notepad++ installation directory. (This script helps us to run latex from Npp using miktex)
  • Pay attention to the Sumatra pdf installation path (change the path to where your sumatra pdf has been installed. line 24)
  • Make sure there are NO spaces in the path (Use Progra~2, not Program Files (X86))

Setup is almost done.

• Now, open the .tex file you wanna run and press F6 to execute.

In the popup box, enter the follow lines

NPP

"C:\Progra~2\Notepad++\miktex_to_latex.bat" "$(CURRENT_DIRECTORY)" "$(NAME_PART)" "$(NAME_PART).pdf"

Change the path of miktex_to_latex.bat if its different for you.

• Click on Save and enter a name for this script PdfLatex
• In Notepad++, go to Plugins->NppExec->Advanced Options. In Associated scripts tab, click on PdfLatex and select on Add/Modify to add it.
• Go to Settings-> Shortcut Mapper. Under plugin commands tab, search PdfLatex and assign a shortcut of your choice like Shift+Esc.
• That's it. Now you can save the .tex file and build the .tex file using the shortcut. The built pdf file is generated and previewed using Sumatra Pdf.