IDLE won't highlight my syntax

Question

Using IDLE and Python version 2.7.3. Only when I start a new file it highlights for a few lines and then just stops after I press F5. So all my text becomes plain black.

If there are equally good/better command line and editor combinations out there, you may always suggest them.

Footcandle

I have the same problem both under Windows 7 AND MacOSX, on different computers! Baffling really... – Scathe

Answer 1

This happened to me too. Save it as .py (manually type .py in the document name), and the highlighting will come back.

Sulfate

I also experienced the same thing with 2.7.9 and this was the correct answer for me. – Sulphurize

Noted and changed (albeit 3 years later...) – Footcandle

Answer 2

Check the key binding for the toggle-auto-coloring option under Options -> Configure IDLE -> Keys -> Custom Key Bindings. The default is Ctrl+/. This should allow you to turn the syntax highlighting back on. (You can't toggle it off though, heh)

Works for me on both IDLE 2.7 and IDLE 3.3.3.

Zakarias

@sterling Feel free to edit answers to add useful info. – Fearful

Answer 3

I usually have to save the file as .py before IDLE will do any syntax highlighting at all. Not sure why it would highlight for a few and then stop though. I've never had that happen.

Oystercatcher

Answer 4

Is this under Windows? Is it possible your file association for Python files have possibly changed? (not quite sure why/how this could happen, but perhaps something worth checking)

Lilli

Well it doesn't have any association at all now. Which application should I use in my C:\Pyhon27\ folder? – Footcandle

@PatronBernard can you try python.exe - that's what I have with Windows 7 - it's a long shot, but perhaps it will help. It is odd, because most tools will just look at the .py file extension to activate the syntax highlighting. – Lilli

@PatronBernard Here are some links for alternative Python editors: wiki.python.org/moin/PythonEditors and this #127253 Hope this helps – Lilli

I am now using PyDev and Eclipse. Works like a charm! – Footcandle