Notepad++ is a free text and source code editor that is mostly used by programmers. It is an advanced alternate version of the default notepad which supports 50 programming, scripting and markup languages. It allows a user to edit codes within multiple tabs in a single window. However, it lacks the formatting for XML files or XML code. Users will find it difficult to edit or read the XML code without the correct format for code.

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How to Format/Indent XML Files on Notepad++

What is XML File?

XML (stands for eXtensible Markup Language) which is a language designed to store and transport data. XML files are just plain text files that can’t do anything on their own. Custom tags are used in XML files to define objects and the data within each object. It defines a set of rules for encoding documents in such a format that both humans and machines could read. XML is similar to HTML but the difference is that HTML defines how data looks, while XML defines what data is.

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XML Code sample

Step 1: Adding Plugin Manager from Github

Skip this step if you already have a Plugin Manager in your Notepad++. Plugin Manager is removed but you can still add/install it manually by following the steps below:

  1. First go to this GitHub link: Plugin Manager
  2. Choose 32bit or 64bit zip file to download depending on your Notepad++ Download zip files for Plugin Manager on GitHub
  3. Extract the zip file using WinRAR and open the extracted folder. (If you don’t have WinRAR, just open the zipped folder and drag the files/folders from the zipped folder to a new location) Extracting the zip file
  4. You will find two folders named “ plugins ” and “ updater ” in the extracted folder. Keep it open and locate the Notepad++ folder in another window: C:\Program Files\Notepad++
  5. You will find same named folders in Notepad++ directory, copy the files from extracted folders and paste them in the exact folders of Notepad++ Copy from downloaded folder to Notepad++ folder
  6. Once you are done, restart you Notepad++ and Plugin Manager will be available in the Plugins menu.

Step 2: Installing XML Tools Plugin through Plugin Manager

In this method, we will be installing the XML Tools plugin through Plugin Manager. By default, there is no option available to format/indent the XML code but you can modify it by using this plugin. With this tool you can convert text to XML and XML to text, enable auto check XML syntax and more.

  1. Open Notepad++ by double-clicking on the shortcut
  2. Click on Plugins in the menu bar, choose Plugin Manager and then Show Plugin Manager
  3. A window will open with a list of all available plugins, then search for “ XML Tools “
  4. Select the plugin and click on the Install button, then it will ask for restart Notepad++ after installing. Installing XML Tools through Plugin Manager
  5. Now you can open the XML file or copy the code in the new tab Opening random XML File
  6. Click on Plugins and then choose XML Tools > Pretty Print (XML only –with line breaks) Tip: libXML option gives the nice output but only if the file is 100% correctly formed. Changing the format of XML Code by using XML Tools
  7. This will change the format of the code.

How to Fix “Printer is in an error state” Issue?

The error “ WinRAR Error: Next Volume Is Required ” usually appears when you’re extracting a multi-part RAR archive and WinRAR can’t find (or can’t correctly identify) the next file in the sequence . This often happens when a volume is missing , stored in a different folder , or renamed in a way that breaks the archive’s expected order .

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In this guide, we’ll go over the most reliable fixes confirmed by affected users, along with what each method is doing behind the scenes so you can choose the right one for your situation.

Important: To extract multi-volume archives, you should always start extraction from the first file in the set. This is usually file.part1.rar , or (in older sets) the main .rar file that comes before .r01 , .r02 , and so on.

1. Download and Place the Missing RAR File

WinRAR needs all parts of a multi-volume archive to complete extraction. This error usually appears when one of the volumes in a set like .part2.rar , .r01 , .r02 , .001 , and similar naming formats is missing . Downloading the missing volume and placing it in the same folder as the other parts allows WinRAR to continue extracting normally .

  1. Look at the error message or review the list of archive parts in the folder.
  2. Identify which volume is missing (for example, part2.rar , .r02 , .001 , etc.).
  3. Go back to the website or source where you downloaded the archive.
  4. Locate and download the exact missing file using the same naming format as the others.
  5. Make sure the new file name matches the pattern of the rest. Example: If you have file.part1.rar and file.part3.rar , the missing one must be file.part2.rar .
  6. Move the downloaded missing volume into the same folder as the other archive parts.
  7. Confirm that all parts are in a single folder before extracting.
  8. Right-click the first file in the series (usually part1 or the main .rar file) and select Extract Here or Extract to Folder .
  9. WinRAR should now detect all volumes and continue extraction normally .

2. Manually Browse & Select the Next Volume

Use this method only if the next volume already exists , but WinRAR is failing to detect it automatically. This can happen due to incorrect naming , the file being in a different location , or a temporary file access issue. Manually browsing helps WinRAR locate the correct volume and resume extraction without interruption .

  1. Right-click the first file in the series (usually .rar or part1.rar ) and select Extract Here or Extract to Folder .
  2. When WinRAR cannot find the next volume, it will show the “ Next Volume Is Required ” message.
  3. A small window will appear, allowing you to manually select the next volume .
  4. Use the file explorer window to locate the folder where the other archive parts are saved.
  5. Select the next part based on the naming order (example: select file.part2.rar after file.part1.rar ).
  6. Make sure the selected file matches the naming format of the archive (no extra characters like (1) and no mismatched numbering).
  7. WinRAR will resume extraction using the selected volume .
  8. If additional volumes are missing or stored separately, WinRAR may prompt you again. Repeat the same process until extraction completes.

3. Rename the RAR files in Order

WinRAR relies on a proper naming sequence (such as file.part1.rar , file.part2.rar , file.part3.rar ) to extract multi-volume archives. If a file is named incorrectly, contains extra characters, or is out of order, WinRAR may fail to locate the next volume and show this error. Renaming the files correctly helps WinRAR follow the sequence and extract the archive without interruptions .

Note: Renaming only changes the file name , not the file contents. The goal is to restore the correct sequence so WinRAR can detect the next volume.

  1. Go to the folder where all the RAR files are saved.
  2. Make sure all parts of the archive are present and stored in the same folder .
  3. Check how the parts are currently named . Common patterns include:
file.part1.rar, file.part2.rar, file.part3.rar
file.rar, file.r01, file.r02, file.r03
  1. Look for files that don’t match the expected numbering pattern (for example, file.part01.rar , file.part1(1).rar , or unrelated names).
  2. Rename each file so it follows the same order without extra characters or mismatched numbering. Example:
Incorrect: file.part1.rar, file.part3.rar, file.part2(1).rar
Correct: file.part1.rar, file.part2.rar, file.part3.rar
  1. Make sure the text before the number is exactly the same for all files.
  2. Only the last part number should change.
  3. Right-click the first file in the series (usually part1.rar or the main .rar file) and select Extract Here .
  4. WinRAR should now recognize the sequence and continue extraction normally .

If you still get the same prompt: the archive set is likely incomplete (a part was never downloaded or was removed), or one of the volumes is corrupt and must be re-downloaded from the original source.