Text search and replace

Question

I am looking for some free Windows software which will allow me to specify a directory and a filename mask, some text and some text to replace it it with and then to perform the replacement, optionally recursing through sub-directories.

It would be a bonus if there were a preview, preferably showing a few (user definable number) of lines before and after each match.

Multiple line / regexp would be nice.

Text files are a must, other formats a bonus.

Answer 1

You can use text-editors SynWrite / CudaText for this. They are gratis, and CT is cross-platform.

• For SynWrite just call command "Search - Find/replace in files".
• For CudaText need to install plugin and call it. In "Plugins - Addon Manager" install plugin "Find in Files". Example view of dialog (on Linux):

Answer 2

You can use Notepad++:

• Microsoft Windows
• gratis
• GUI
• open source
• has a preview
• can replace a string or regular expression in all files in a directory

Answer 3

You can use sed:

• cross-platform, gratis, open-source, CLI
• can find and replace

Answer 4

You can use gawk:

• cross-platform, gratis, open-source, CLI
• can find and replace.