CLIPS File

What are CLIPS files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a CLIPS file or are you simply curious about its contents? We're here to explain the properties of these files and provide you with software that can open or handle your CLIPS files.

What is a CLIPS file?

A .CLIPS file is a Programmer's Notepad Text Clips file.

Programmer's Notepad Text Clips files store reusable pieces of text that can be inserted into code quickly by the text editor Programmer's Notepad. They are used to define templates, code snippets, or fragments that correspond to particular programming language "schemes" so that typing a short keyword or using a menu causes insertion of the full snippet.

Files are written and managed by Programmer's Notepad. Users edit or add snippets using the Text Clips window or the accompanying Text Clip Editor. These files are saved in XML format under a "Clips" folder - either in the program's installation directory or in the user settings directory - and are loaded by the editor at startup so that the snippets are available immediately.

Inside each file, each clip is defined by a clip element (with a name attribute) containing the snippet text. Snippets may include placeholders (numbered markers like ${1}, ${2}, ${0}) that let the user fill in parts of the inserted text in sequence, variables (such as ${PN_FILENAME}), and even embedded Python scripting (PyPN), which produces output that is then inserted.

Files can be identified by starting with a less-than sign (<) at their first byte (i.e. XML), and they contain internal strings such as "CLIPS NAME" or "CLIP NAME" marking parts of the snippet definitions.

How to open CLIPS files

Important: Different programs may use files with the CLIPS file extension for different purposes, so unless you are sure which format your CLIPS file is, you may need to try a few different programs.

We have not yet verified any programs for Windows that work with this specific file format. If you know one, please use the 'Suggest a program' link below. Thanks!

Last updated: August 31, 2026

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