Problem using unicode in File.WriteAllText

Question

I have some raw data (xml) which I definitely receive containing unicode. I write them to a file using:

File.WriteAllText

This seems to remove/change unicode characters. Is there a way to prevent this?

This should not be a problem because by default WriteAllText() is using UTF8 encoding - sure you don't have a problem elsewhere? Please post some code — BrokenGlass
– BrokenGlass, Commented Aug 5, 2011 at 15:38
@BrokenGlass you might be right - it could also be XElement.ToString() ... is this the right way to get the unicode string from an xelement? — cs0815
– cs0815, Commented Aug 5, 2011 at 16:10
@BrokenGlass Not true. I had the same problem and added Encoding.UTF8 as 3rd parameter and now Unicode characters are not lost while saving with WriteAllText. — Tomas
– Tomas, Commented Dec 23, 2011 at 12:07

Reginiano · Accepted Answer · 2016-03-17 11:40:35Z

16

You can specify the encoding:

File.WriteAllText(fileName, xml, Encoding.Unicode);

8210 bronze badges

answered Aug 5, 2011 at 15:38

100k33 gold badges231 silver badges238 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Comments

Justin · Accepted Answer · 2011-08-05 15:38:23Z

Try the File.WriteAllText overload which allows you to specify an encoding - just give it the same encoding of the original data.

LarsTech · Accepted Answer · 2011-08-05 15:38:11Z

Use the proper encoding, which is the 3rd parameter.

File.WriteAllText(file, contents, encoding);

Davide Piras · Accepted Answer · 2011-08-05 15:38:16Z

you can specify the Encoding as parameter for the WriteAllText function, see the available overloads :)