How to Create TXT File on Mac

Why create a TXT file on a Mac

TXT files are very convenient for creating simple text files, writing code, and keeping important information safe.

Specifically, they’re suitable for users who need to write text without any additional formatting. Unlike .docx or Pages documents, you can’t change elements, such as font type, size, or color, adjust margins or paragraphs, or add non-text elements like images or graphics.

This is why TXT documents can be useful for you:

• TXT files are often used for simpler tasks, such as taking notes, composing novels, making shopping lists, or drafting personal letters and cover letters.
• Some people also use them to store important information such as passwords, instructions, mailing or home addresses, and phone numbers.
• In a professional context, they’re commonly used to write code, such as HTML or CSS, and to store log files.
• TXT documents are one of the oldest file types, which contributes to their simplicity. While they are often overlooked, they have significant advantages, such as being lightweight and taking up minimal storage space.
• They’re ideal for avoiding compatibility issues with major word processors. They can be opened in both Microsoft Word and Apple’s Pages, regardless of whether you’re using older or newer versions of Windows or macOS.

However, the simplicity of TXT files also means they offer less protection compared to more advanced formats like .docx. To improve its security, you should learn how to encrypt a file on a Mac.

A note from our experts: 

 

To enhance your Mac’s performance and efficiency, MacKeeper’s Duplicates Finder can assist you in organizing your saved documents, photos, and other files. With it, you can find duplicate files on Mac and remove them without losing the originals. Additionally, it can help clean up your Downloads and Photo Library folders.

 

Follow our instructions to use MacKeeper’s Duplicates Finder on your Mac:

1. Launch MacKeeper on your Apple device.
2. Select Duplicates Finder from the left sidebar.
3. Click Start Scan.
4. Select one of the folders: Duplicates, Similar Photos, or Screenshots.
5. Choose the items you want to delete and click Remove Selected.
6. Click Remove to confirm.

How to make a TXT file on Mac

Despite the simple nature of TXT files, this format is becoming increasingly less common and is no longer the default option in apps like macOS’s TextEdit. Fortunately, there are several ways to continue enjoying the benefits of TXT files on Apple computers.

Here’s how to create a TXT file on your Mac:

1. Using TextEdit
2. Using Terminal
3. Using third-party apps

1. Using TextEdit

Although Apple has removed .txt as the default format for its TextEdit text editor, you can still use it to create TXT files. We believe it’s the easiest way to create TXT documents on your Mac. The program comes pre-installed, is free to use, and has a very user-friendly interface.

We advise you to create a TXT file with TextEdit as follows:

1. Open Finder and select Applications from the left sidebar.
2. Launch the TextEdit app.
3. Click the New Document button.
4. Select TextEdit from the task menu, then choose Settings.
5. In the New Document tab, select Plain text.
6. Close the window and start writing.

2. Using Terminal

Another straightforward option we recommend is to create TXT files using Terminal. The program is already installed on your Mac, so you don’t need to download any additional apps. However, we believe you might prefer another option if you’re not too tech-savvy, as it requires some technical knowledge.

But fear not! Follow our step-by-step instructions to create a TXT file using Terminal:

1. Open Finder, select Applications, and double-click on the Utilities folder.
2. Launch Terminal.
3. Type in the location where you want to save your TXT file, following this format: cd ~/Desktop. Hit the Enter key.
4. Next, type in the file name you want to use, following this format: touch TXTfile.txt. Hit the Enter key again.
5. Go to your chosen location to check whether the TXT file is there.

3. Using third-party apps

In our opinion, the least recommended option involves downloading a third-party app. This doesn’t mean we think it’s a bad choice. An app like Commander One can be useful for other purposes as well, such as managing the files and folders on your Mac. And more importantly, it’s free!

Although there are various third-party apps to create TXT files, we’ll explain how to do it using Commander One:

1. Go to Commander One’s website and download it on your Mac.
2. Install and launch the app.
3. Go to File on the task menu, then select New File from the dropdown menu.
4. Choose a file name and click the OK button.
5. Start working on your new TXT file.

What to do if your TXT file won’t save on Mac

TXT files typically don’t cause many problems, thanks to being lightweight, simple, and widely compatible. However, some users have reported issues when trying to save these documents on a Mac.

If you’re having trouble saving a TXT file, here are a few potential reasons and solutions:

• Insufficient disk space: If your disk is full, you won’t be able to save new documents. Using MacKeeper can help you delete unnecessary, large, and duplicate files to free up storage. For more information, see our tutorial on how to delete files on a MacBook.
• File permission restrictions: To resolve permission issues, click on the app you’re using to create the TXT file, select File from the menu, and choose Get Info. In the new window, you can adjust the permission settings, which may help resolve the saving issue.
• System glitches: System glitches can prevent you from saving files. In these cases, we recommend restarting your computer or force quitting the app. Other possible solutions include uninstalling and reinstalling the program or clearing the cache with an app like MacKeeper.
• Corrupted preferences: The above solutions may also help when your app’s preferences are corrupted. Alternatively, you can try another method to create a TXT file previously mentioned or download a different third-party app.

To avoid problems when transferring TXT files (or any documents) via email or flash drives, consider compressing the documents. This can help reduce their size and prevent transfer issues. If you’re interested, we recommend checking out our article on how to zip files on a Mac.

TXT files on Mac are no longer a problem

TXT files offer several advantages, including ease of use, wide compatibility, and small file size. Although they’re no longer the default format in Mac’s TextEdit, there are still several ways to create them. You can use TextEdit itself, utilize the preinstalled Terminal on your Mac, or turn to third-party apps.

If your Mac isn’t well organized, it can lead to difficulties when saving TXT files and other document types. To help with this, we recommend using MacKeeper’s Duplicates Finder tool to delete the redundant file copies from your Mac.