Setting the application for viewing and editing specific file types

You can specify the application to use when viewing and editing specific file types. View and edit settings associate file extensions with the built-in Surround SCM file viewer and editor, the application associated with the file extensions in the operating system, or an application you prefer to work in.

If you do not set a viewer or editor for a file type, the application selected in the default setting ('All other files') is used. Following are the default viewer and editor settings for each file type.

File type Default viewer setting Default editor setting
Binary files Application associated with the file type in the operating system Application associated with the file type in the operating system
Image files Built-in file viewer Application associated with the file type in the operating system
Text files Built-in file viewer Built-in file editor
User options apply only to the current user account logged in to the computer. Some user options may be disabled, which indicates they are set on the server and cannot be changed.

1. Choose Tools > User Options then select the View/Edit File category.

2. Click Add.

The View/Edit Settings dialog box opens.

3. Enter the File extensions to associate with the application. Separate multiple extensions with a semicolon.

4. Select View or Edit from the View/Edit list to specify the action the settings apply to.

5. Select how to open the files.

  • Internal viewer/editor opens files in the built-in viewer or editor.
  • Associated application opens files in the application associated with them in the operating system. (Windows/Mac only)
  • Selected application opens files in the selected application. Click Browse to select an application.

6. Click OK to save the changes.

Make sure you add both view and edit settings for an application. For example, if you add view settings to use Notepad for .txt and .css files, also add an edit setting for Notepad with the same file extensions. This ensures you use the same application to view and edit files of the same type.