Configuring Individual File Encoding

IntelliJ IDEA 12.1.0 Web Help

There are two modes of dealing with file encoding:

Converting: the contents of the editor are stored in a different encoding. So doing, the contents of the underlying file change, but the contents of the editor stay unchanged.
Reloading: the underlying file, opened in the editor, is shown in an encoding that differs from its original one. So doing, the contents of the editor can change, but the underlying files does not.

IntelliJ IDEA suggests the following major ways to change encoding:

Using the File Encodings page of the Settings dialog, for directories and for the files that do not contain encoding information.
Using the Status bar or menu command, for individual files that do not contain encoding information.
Using the editor, for individual files that contain encoding information.

IntelliJ IDEA also supports configuring encoding for properties files.

To configure encoding for a directory or file without embedded encoding information

Open Project Settings dialog and select File Encodings.
The File/Directory column shows the tree view of your project. The Default Encoding column shows encoding for directories or files. Click the Default encoding column for a directory or file you want to define encoding for, and then choose the desired encoding from the drop-down list:

To change encoding of a file that contains explicit encoding

Open the desired file in the editor.
Change explicit encoding information. Use error highlighting to recognize wrong encoding and press Ctrl+SpaceCtrl+SpaceCtrl+SpaceCtrl+SpaceAlt+SlashCtrl+SpaceCtrl+SpaceCtrl+Space or Ctrl+Back SlashCtrl+SpaceControl SpaceControl SpaceControl Space to have a list of available encodings displayed:

To change encoding of a single file that doesnt contain explicit encoding

Open the desired file for editing.
Do one of the following:
- On the main menu, point to File | File encoding.
- Click file encoding on the Status bar.
Choose Reload in or Convert to, and then select the desired encoding from the pop-up window.

See Also

Concepts:

Encoding

Procedures:

Reference:

File Encodings

Web Resources:

Knowledge Base