How to Create a TXT File on Mac: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

You might be wondering: is this article serious? Yes, absolutely! While creating a TXT file in Windows is incredibly simple—just by using Notepad—on macOS, the process requires a few extra steps. But don’t worry! This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to create and save a plain text (TXT) file on your Mac effortlessly.

What is a TXT File?

A TXT file is a plain text document without any formatting or styling. Unlike rich text documents (RTF), Word documents (DOCX), or PDFs, a TXT file does not support:

• Bold or italicized text
• Images or embedded media
• Colors or different font styles
• Hyperlinks, tables, or bullet points

Because of its simplicity, TXT files are widely used for storing raw text, coding, taking quick notes, or keeping lightweight documents. Fortunately, macOS comes with a built-in text editor called TextEdit, which allows you to create, edit, and save TXT files with ease.

How to Create a TXT File on Mac (Step-by-Step)

Follow these simple steps to create and save a plain text file on your Mac:

Step 1: Open TextEdit

To get started, open the TextEdit application on your Mac. You can do this in two ways:

• Go to Launchpad -> Search for TextEdit and open it.
• Use Spotlight Search by pressing Command (⌘) + Space, typing TextEdit, and hitting Enter.

Step 2: Set the Document to Plain Text Mode

By default, TextEdit creates rich text documents (RTF). To ensure you’re working with a plain text file (TXT):

1. Click on Format in the menu bar.
2. Select Make Plain Text (or Format > Make Plain Text if you’re using the English version).

💡 Pro Tip: If you convert an RTF file to TXT, you will lose all formatting, including images and text styles.

Step 3: Write and Edit Your Text File

Now, type whatever you need in your document. Since it’s a plain text file, there are no formatting options—just raw text.

Step 4: Save the File as a TXT Document

Once you’ve written your text, follow these steps to save it as a TXT file:

1. Click File in the menu bar.
2. Select Save (or press Command (⌘) + S).
3. In the Save As field, enter a name for your file.
4. Choose a location where you want to save the file.
5. Make sure the file extension is .txt (not .rtf or anything else).
6. Click Save.

Step 5: Verify and Use Your TXT File

Navigate to the folder where you saved the file and double-click to open it. You can now edit or share your TXT file as needed.

Why macOS Doesn’t Use TXT by Default

Unlike Windows, which uses Notepad as its default plain text editor, macOS prioritizes rich text formatting in TextEdit. This means that every new document starts as an RTF file unless you manually switch to plain text mode. If you frequently work with TXT files, you can change TextEdit’s default settings:

1. Open TextEdit.
2. Click TextEdit in the menu bar and select Preferences.
3. Under the New Document tab, select Plain text instead of Rich text.
4. Close the Preferences window.

Now, every time you open TextEdit, it will start in plain text mode automatically.

Converting a TXT File Back to RTF (or Another Format)

If you ever need to convert a TXT file into a formatted document (RTF, DOCX, or PDF), you can do so easily:

1. Open the TXT file in TextEdit.
2. Click Format > Make Rich Text.
3. Save the file in the desired format.

Alternatively, you can copy the text and paste it into a word processor like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or Pages for advanced formatting options.

Photo by Geometric Photography