Notepad++ is the best text editor for web design I have come across.
Better than Editpad, Nvu, or JEdit
I'm used to using Editpad Classic, which is great, but lacks syntax highlighting. I've tried NVU, JEdit, and countless other popular text editors, but I always went back to Editpad for one reason or another. With syntax highlighting in almost any popular programming language, Notepad Plus is the one for me.
My only complaint is that the user interface is a bit clunky. The menubar is endless, and the icons aren't exactly intuitive. I'm too used to having the "Open" and "Close" buttons right next to each other.
Customizing Notepad Plus
Fortunately, the interface is heavily customizable. You can set your own keyboard shortcuts, set your own colors for syntax highlighting, font style and size. Like to work with white text on a black background? No problem. Don't like your active line being highlighted? Switch it off.
Tree View
One of the coolest features I've encountered so far is the HTML tree view. I'm used to working with at least 4 or 5 nested DIVs. I usually stick PHP comments in to tell me which one I'm closing with a </div> tag.
In Notepad++, next to the number lines on the left are Plus and Minus signs that will show or hide that portion of the code. Working on the footer, but the hefty content DIV is in your way? Hit the Minus sign and it's hidden from your workspace.
I have barely tapped the potential of this program, but so far I am loving it.
Convinced? Download Notepad++