This guide will show you how to create a TXT file on your Mac using the built-in TextEdit application. TXT files are simple, plain text documents ideal for coding, like HTML and CSS, or for any writing that doesn’t require special formatting.
How to create a plain text file on a Mac
Follow these straightforward steps to create a new TXT file on your macOS device.
- Open TextEdit. You can find this application in the Applications folder within Finder, or by using Spotlight Search (pressCmd + Spacebar, then type
texteditand click TextEdit when it appears). - ClickNew Document. By default, new documents are often in Rich Text format, so you will need to change this if you haven’t already altered your TextEdit preferences.
- Click the Format tab. This menu is located at the top of your screen.
- ClickMake Plain Text. Alternatively, you can pressShift + Cmd + T on your keyboard.
- Enter your text. Begin typing the content you wish to include in your document.
- Save your document. Go to File > Save, or pressCmd + S to save the file as a
.txtfile.
What to do next?
Once you’ve created your TXT file, you can use it for various purposes, such as writing code, jotting down quick notes without formatting, or preparing text for web content. These files are highly portable and compatible across almost all operating systems and text editors, making them a universal choice for simple text storage.
Consider organizing your TXT files into specific folders for different projects or types of notes. This will help maintain a tidy workspace and make it easier to locate your plain text documents when you need them for coding, quick references, or sharing unformatted information.
