How can I set the default file format in the Delphi IDE to UTF8?

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Delphi 2009 sets the default file format for new source code files to ANSI, this makes the source code platform-dependent.

Even for a new XSD file created in the IDE, which by default starts with this line

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?>

Delphi sets the file format to ANSI (this looks like a bug, for new XML and XSLT documents UTF8 is selected by default).

Is there a hidden option to set the default file format for source code files?

Balky answered 15/11, 2009 at 0:21 Comment(0)

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AFAIK, there is no IDE-wide setting for specifying the default file format.

Dreadful answered 18/11, 2009 at 21:56 Comment(4)

However the IDE does prompt you, when you enter a unicode character into the editor buffer, and then click Save. – Pibroch 8/6, 2011 at 7:15

Rob kennedy suggested that you can in fact, add a new Unit that is saved in UTF8 format to the Object Repository, and then use that from the File -> New menu. I found that it has to contain a high unicode character codepoint in order to keep the UTF8 encoding in new units though. – Pibroch 16/2, 2012 at 23:13

There's a setting as explained in this answer. – Nozicka 14/12, 2017 at 20:51

With 10.4 there is now an option in the IDE. – Commit 27/5, 2020 at 6:26

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In fact this blog post from 2004 mentions a hidden IDE option. It states that you can set a default file filter in the registry to make UTF-8 the default encoding in Delphi 8. This still works under Tokyo! Clearly, you have to adapt the path of the registry key to recent versions like this:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Embarcadero\BDS\19.0\Editor]
"DefaultFileFilter"="Borland.FileFilter.UTF8ToUTF8"

After setting this value Delphi will encode new units in UTF-8 with BOM.

Commit answered 14/12, 2017 at 12:49 Comment(0)

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Right-click on your source code in the Delphi 2009 IDE, and select File Format. Then choose UTF-8. Hope that helps.

Estienne answered 15/11, 2009 at 0:42 Comment(4)

I think the question was about doing that by default, so a new file starts off being set to UTF8. – Brundage 15/11, 2009 at 5:36

This does not change the default file format for new files to UTF8, it has an effect only for the current file. – Balky 15/11, 2009 at 10:4

Not the original question but did help me :-) – Intertwine 18/7, 2016 at 20:23

In Delphi 12.1, into the editor page, at the bottom line, here you find a list of combo-box-like items, and if you see "ANSI" change it to "UTF-8" – Ismaelisman 28/8 at 18:55

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Although the answer from MBulli should be still relevant, since version 10.4 of Delphi (as far as I remember) it is possible to change the default encoding within the IDE.

Go to Tools > Options and choose User interface > Editor from the navigation area.

You will find the Default file encoding setting down below.

Paraglider answered 28/1, 2021 at 13:25 Comment(2)

You're right it's just from 10.4 version, I checked in 10.3.2 and the option doesn't exist. – Euler 4/3, 2021 at 13:38

@Darkendorf: It is still okay though I think, since you can set the option manually in the Windows Registry... – Paraglider 4/3, 2021 at 20:30

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If you install UTF8ize Plugin (english translation of his page & latest version) to your IDE, when you edit any file within the IDE, the plugin set the file's codepage to UTF8 automatically.

(FYI: The author creates many useful plugins. I posted some of his plugins with image here, but my post was deleted by the modelator. I just wanted to know his useful plugins, but yes, it's off topic here. sorry.)

Redware answered 8/10, 2015 at 14:14 Comment(0)

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