How To Create A Txt File On Mac?

Create txt file on Mac

A text file is one of the simplest kinds of files used in computer systems. Here we will find step by step process to create txt file on mac terminal. The text file is a kind of digital, non-executable file containing a combination of letters, numbers and symbols.

Because it doesn’t include any special formatting, fonts, images or other embedded data, it can be accessed by a wide range of different programs. They are also called flat files or ASCII files. These are very popular because they are one of the oldest and easy to use file types. Not only are these used by ordinary computer users, but also by coders to design HTML webpages etc.

One of the most common tasks for every computer user is to create txt file using word processors. The Mac OS is better than Windows for document processing. Some of the most common text file formats and their extensions are listed below ―

  • .doc and .docx – Microsoft Word file
  • .odt – OpenOffice Writer document file
  • .pdf – PDF file
  • .rtf – Rich Text Format
  • .tex – A LaTeX document file
  • .txt – Plain text file
  • .wpd – WordPerfect document

In this article, we will take a look at how you can create txt file on Mac PC. These kinds of text files are the simplest of the lot, as they are completely unformatted.

Meaning that they do not contain any bold texts, italic texts, images, colours, different font types, hyperlinks, tables, bulleted lists etc. You can create, open and edit such files on a Mac using a text editor software like TextEdit, which comes along with the macOS software.

Steps To Make A Plain Text File on Mac

1. To create txt file on mac terminal first, open up the TextEdit app on your Mac. You can find it under the Applications tab (Applications > TextEdit). Alternatively, you can use Spotlight, press the Command-Space bar and then search, find and open the TextEdit software.

2. Once you have opened the TextEdit app, click on File and then click Open (File > Open). There are two text format modes available with TextEdit, namely: (a) plain text format (.txt file) and (b) rich text format (.rtf file). While choosing the .rtf mode will let you format your document by adding images, colours, tables etc, the .txt mode will not allow any kind of formatting.

3. The default file format on TextEdit is a rich text format (.rtf file). You have to change this by navigating to the Preferences tab within TextEdit and selecting Plain text (TextEdit > Preferences > Plain text).

4. The mode can also be changed while you edit your text, by going to the Format tab and clicking the Make Plain Text or Make Rich Text buttons (Format > Make Plain Text or Make Rich Text). Please note that if you change a .rtf file (rich text format) to a .txt file (plain text format), all formatting options will be lost from your document.

5. After creating, edit your text file by inputting the necessary textual information.

6. To save your plain text (.txt) file, navigate to File and click on Save (File > Save).

7. Give your plain text file a name and click on the Save button. This will save your document in plain text format, using the .txt extension.

Two other commonly used alternatives to create txt file on Mac

The first one is Sublime Text and the second one is Atom. Let’s take a look at each of them –

1. Sublime Text Editor

Sublime Text Editor is a wide range of features. It includes Syntax Highlight, Auto Indentation, File Type Recognition, Sidebar, Macros, Plug-in and Packages which make it easy for working with any code base.

Sublime Text offers its users the following beneficial features ―

  • Ability to solve linker errors.
  • Keeping track of all files and folders to work with.
  • Connectivity with version control systems like Git, Mercurial.
  • Problem-solving capabilities.
  • Keeping colour combination for syntax combination.

2. Atom 

Atom is a free and open-source text editor for MacOS, Linux and Windows, developed by GitHub. It provides you with a platform to create responsive and interactive web applications. Its developers market it as a “hackable text editor for the 21st Century”.

Atom lets you install third-party packages and themes to customize the features and looks of the editor so that you can set it up according to your preferences and without hassle. It is a good choice for both newbies and experienced coders

Some of the main advantages of Atom are ―

  • Cross-Platform Editing: Atom works across various operating systems. So you can use it on OS-X, Windows or Linux.
  • Built-In Package Manager: You can search for and install new packages or simply start creating your own, all from within Atom’s interface.
  • Smart Auto-Completion: Atom can assist you in writing your code faster, with a smart and flexible autocomplete feature that is accurate.
  • Multiple Panes: You can split your Atom interface into multiple panes to compare and edit code across files.
  • Find And Replace: You can also find, preview and replace text as you are typing your code in a file or across all your projects.

Conclusion – how to Create txt file on Mac?

The term “text file” refers to a type of container, while ‘plain text’ refers to the type of content stored in .txt files. These are some of the simplest files used by computer users and store ordinary textual information without any kind of formatting. The most popular way to open, create and edit text files on a Mac is by using the TextEdit app.

It is a simple, easy to use app that comes bundled with the macOS operating system. It offers you the option to create txt file on Mac terminal in two kinds, namely the rich text format (.rtf files) and plain text format (.txt files) documents. You can edit and save these files with text information that can be accessible in all kinds of devices.

There are other alternatives as well, like Sublime Text and Atom. These can also be useful to create txt file on Mac OS and offer a wide range of customization options that are not typically available with commonplace editing apps like TextEdit.

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