22

When I view this IRC log in Firefox, long lines do not wrap. But I wish they would! Anyone know how to make Firefox word-wrap text/plain files?

  • this file is served as gzipped plain text; try HEAD http://ci.mifos.org/irclogs/%23mifos/archive/2010/2010-01-04.log.gz and you should see Content-Type: text/plain
  • when the same resource is viewed in Google Chrome, long lines wrap
  • this might be a related question on doctype, but the "accepted answer" contains a broken link
  • this didn't work for me (even the alternate version using pre-wrap as opposed to -moz-pre-wrap mentioned in a comment by user "Idran")
  • using "View → Page Source", then toggling word wrap is a suitable workaround

7 Answers 7

7

The Toggle Word Wrap Firefox extension might work for you.

1
  • Adding an extension is not necessary. See answer below on making a simple change in about:config.
    – Paul
    Feb 3, 2017 at 14:36
11

FF 31. Open a new tab.

Enter about:config in the Awesome Bar.

Search for view_source.wrap_long_lines and set value to true.

2
  • @Twisty The view_source.wrap_long_lines preference predates version 2. That was why I deleted the reference to FF31.
    – Paul
    Feb 5, 2017 at 13:13
  • @Paul Removing the original answerer's mention of FF 31 is too drastic of an edit ("clearly conflicts with author's intent"), even if the poster is wrong. It would be better to either mention this information in a comment much as you've done, or construct the edit in a way that does not eliminate the original mention of FF 31. Feb 5, 2017 at 13:20
4

If you just need to wrap plaintext files, try Ctrl-U (then View -> Wrap Long Lines, if not already checked). This solution is cleaner than an add-in with plaintext files, but sloppier with text embedded in html.

1
  • 1
    As of at least FF 51, this option is not available. See answer further down explaining how to configure in about:config.
    – Paul
    Feb 3, 2017 at 14:35
4

Go to the Firefox User Profile.

This is for applying a style to all web pages you view.

Firefox User Profile Folder --> Chrome -- > userContent.css (If this file is not present, make a copy of userContent-example.css and rename it!

/*
 * This file can be used to apply a style to all web pages you view
 * Rules without !important are overruled by author rules if the
 * author sets any.  Rules with !important overrule author rules.
 */

This is for customizing Mozilla's user interface.

Firefox User Profile Folder --> Chrome -- > userChrome.css (If this file is not present, make a copy of userChrome-example.css and rename it!

/*
 * This file can be used to customize the look of Mozilla's user interface
 * You should consider using !important on rules which you want to
 * override default settings.
 */

Add to the bottom:

pre { white-space: pre-wrap !important; }

Save the file.]

Restart Firefox. Works with Firefox 26.

2

This answer is inspired by @Travis's answer.

If you just need to wrap plain text files, then on the menu bar click ViewPage StyleWrap Long Lines. This solution is cleaner than an add-on for plain text files, but sloppier with text embedded in HTML.

Screenshot of Firefox menu

1

Here is an untested possibility, but the ideal solution if using view-source:URL with [View] [wrap long lines] enabled. This would be for the text/plain mime type to automatically use:

view-source: schema

This avoids the ctrl-u or menu [page source] click and reduces manual labour in an automated computing environment.

0
1

For what it's worth, Firefox 22 (the current target as of this writing) will introduce a new feature to allow wrapping text files directly in the browser. See improved plain-text handling in Firefox for a preview, and Firefox bug 253564 for the gory details.

0

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