Learn what program opens .txt files on Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone, and Linux, plus the best apps and tools to open, read, and edit text files easily.
Text files are one of the most common and universally supported formats, yet many users still ask: “Which program is used to open .txt files?”. Whether you’re using Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, or iPhone, this detailed guide will explain everything. From what a .txt file is to how to open and edit one using both default programs and alternative software.
What Is a .TXT File and Why Is It So Widely Used?
Understanding the Purpose of .TXT Files
A .txt file is a type of plain text document that contains unformatted text. With no bold, italics, images, or special fonts. It stores ASCII or Unicode characters and is often used for notes, readme files, configuration files, or even programming scripts.
Because it lacks proprietary formatting, the .txt format is extremely lightweight, easy to share, and can be opened on virtually any platform without compatibility issues.
Benefits of Using TXT Files Across Platforms
The biggest strength of the .txt format lies in its platform-agnostic nature. Whether you’re a casual user jotting notes or a developer editing code. The TXT file format provides a simple, efficient way to store text. Plus, it’s free of formatting conflicts that often occur when using applications like Microsoft Word or Pages.
Which Software Is Used to Open .TXT Files?
How to Open TXT Files in Windows
Default Program: Notepad for Windows
In Windows, the default program used to open .txt files is Notepad. This program has been a staple in Windows operating systems for decades. With offering a no-frills, straightforward interface for opening and editing plain text documents. When you double-click on a .txt file, Notepad automatically opens, allowing you to view or modify the content with ease.
Notepad is simple and lightweight, which makes it perfect for basic tasks like note-taking, editing simple configuration files, or viewing log files. It also supports basic functions such as find and replace, word wrap, and font customization.
Why Choose Notepad for Simple Text Editing?
While Notepad may not support advanced features, it has significant benefits. It loads quickly, consumes minimal resources, and ensures your text file remains unformatted. This is ideal for tasks where you need pure text without any additional styles or formatting.
Key advantages of Notepad include:
Minimal System Requirements: Ideal for low-spec systems or quickly accessing a file.
No Formatting Conflicts: You can be confident that the text remains plain and unstyled, even if transferred across platforms.
For users who need more powerful features but still prefer the simplicity of a text editor. There are several alternatives that expand upon the core functionality of Notepad.
Best Alternatives for Opening and Editing .TXT Files in Windows
While Notepad is sufficient for most basic text editing tasks, those who require more robust features often turn to other text editors. Some alternatives offer syntax highlighting, multiple tab support, and even programming features.
Notepad++: A Feature-Packed Option
One of the most popular free alternatives to Notepad is Notepad++. Notepad++ is an advanced text editor designed for both coders and general users. It offers key features like:
Syntax Highlighting: Ideal for programming or working with structured data like XML, JSON, and HTML files.
Multiple Tabs: You can open and edit several files in the same window, making it easier to switch between documents.
Find and Replace Across Files: A handy feature for developers working on large projects, allowing you to search and modify code across multiple files at once.
Plugin Support: Notepad++ has a wide range of plugins that extend its functionality to support tasks such as FTP access, text encryption, and even collaborative writing.
Notepad++ is especially popular among developers, tech enthusiasts, and anyone needing a text editor with advanced features without the bloat of a full-fledged word processor.
Visual Studio Code (VS Code): Powerful for Code and Text
If you’re working with large text files or need additional features such as code debugging or version control, Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a great choice. While VS Code is primarily used as a code editor, it also excels as a general-purpose text editor.
Some benefits of using VS Code for .txt files include:
Intelligent Code Completion: If you open a text file containing code, VS Code can provide suggestions based on your existing content.
Integrated Terminal: This allows you to run scripts, commands, or compile code directly from the editor without switching to a different window.
Extensions and Themes: VS Code supports numerous extensions that enhance functionality, such as spell checkers, Markdown previewers, and version control via Git.
Cross-Platform Support: VS Code runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it a versatile choice for developers who work across different operating systems.
For those working with code snippets, scripts, or large text-based datasets, VS Code provides a highly customizable, feature-rich experience.
How to Change Default Program for TXT Files on Windows
If you prefer to use a different program than Notepad for opening .txt files, changing the default application is a simple process. Here’s how to set your preferred text editor as the default program:
- Right-click any .txt file and select Properties from the context menu.
- In the General tab, under the Opens with section, click Change.
- A list of available programs will appear. Select the program you want to set as the default (for example, Notepad++ or Visual Studio Code).
- If your desired program does not appear in the list, click More Apps and scroll down to Look for another app on this PC.
- Navigate to the program’s installation folder and select the executable file (e.g., notepad++.exe or Code.exe).
- Click OK, and then click Apply to confirm your changes.
Now, any .txt file you open will automatically launch with your chosen text editor.
Notepad vs. Alternatives: Which One Should You Choose?
While Notepad is sufficient for basic text editing tasks, users who need more functionality—such as those working with large datasets, coding projects, or structured documents—will benefit from advanced editors like Notepad++ and VS Code. These alternatives provide rich features like syntax highlighting, plugin support, and multi-tab interfaces that make working with large or complex text files easier.
Choosing between these options ultimately depends on your editing needs. For casual users, Notepad remains an efficient and easy-to-use choice, while more advanced users will appreciate the customization and power that tools like Notepad++ or VS Code offer.
How to Read TXT Files on macOS
Default Program: TextEdit for macOS
On macOS, the default program to open and read .txt files is TextEdit, a simple yet effective text editor that comes pre-installed with all macOS devices. TextEdit supports plain text files and rich text formats, making it versatile for basic text editing tasks.
When you double-click a .txt file on macOS, TextEdit will automatically open it, allowing you to view or modify the content. TextEdit also offers features such as:
Basic Formatting Options: While TextEdit is mainly a plain text editor, it also supports rich text editing for users who prefer to format their text with fonts, bold, italics, and other styles.
Word Wrap Feature: TextEdit ensures that long lines of text are wrapped, making the content easier to read without the need to scroll horizontally.
Search Functionality: TextEdit includes a search function for quickly finding specific words or phrases within the document, which can be especially useful when working with large files.
However, while TextEdit works perfectly for everyday text file viewing and editing, it may not provide all the features you need for more advanced tasks.
Best Alternatives for Opening and Editing .TXT Files on macOS
Although TextEdit works fine for simple text files, there are other powerful alternatives that offer advanced features for users who need more control over their documents. Here are some alternative programs you can use to read and edit .txt files on macOS:
Sublime Text: A Code Editor with Advanced Features
Sublime Text is a popular and highly regarded text editor, particularly among developers and programmers. It provides a clean and distraction-free interface, making it a great tool for both coding and reading plain text files. Sublime Text offers:
Syntax Highlighting: It automatically detects the language of the text and color-codes the syntax for easy readability.
Split Editing: This feature allows users to work with multiple text files side by side, making it easier to compare or reference files.
Search and Replace Across Files: Sublime Text includes an advanced search feature that lets you search and replace text across multiple files simultaneously, which is perfect for programming or managing large text datasets.
Cross-Platform Support: Available for macOS, Windows, and Linux, Sublime Text is ideal for users working across different operating systems.
Visual Studio Code (VS Code): Ideal for Programmers and Developers
For more advanced text editing tasks, especially for those working with code or scripts, Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is another excellent alternative. While primarily known as a code editor, VS Code also functions well as a plain text editor and offers a host of features, including:
Extensions and Plugins: With support for various plugins, VS Code can enhance its functionality for specific tasks, such as syntax highlighting for different programming languages, version control integration with Git, and even Markdown rendering.
Multiple File Tabs: Just like Sublime Text, VS Code allows you to open multiple files within tabs, providing a seamless workflow when managing large projects or reviewing several documents at once.
Integrated Terminal: The integrated terminal feature allows you to run commands and scripts directly from the editor, streamlining your workflow for development and scripting tasks.
BBEdit: A Text Editor with Robust Features
For macOS users looking for a more powerful text editor, BBEdit is an excellent choice. While it is a paid app, BBEdit offers a comprehensive set of tools designed for text manipulation, including:
Search and Replace Across Multiple Files: This feature is essential when working with large amounts of text, allowing you to search through an entire project and make bulk edits with ease.
HTML and Programming Language Support: BBEdit offers syntax highlighting for several programming languages, making it suitable for developers as well as users who simply need a reliable text editor.
Advanced Text Processing Tools: With features like regular expression search, column selection, and macro recording, BBEdit is a versatile option for professionals in fields such as software development and content creation.
How to Change Default Program for TXT Files on macOS
If you prefer to use an alternative program to open your .txt files instead of the default TextEdit, changing the default application is easy on macOS. Here’s how you can set your preferred text editor as the default for opening .txt files:
- Right-click (or Control-click) on any .txt file.
- Select Get Info from the context menu.
- In the Get Info window, locate the Open with section. Click the drop-down menu to see a list of available programs.
- Choose your preferred text editor, such as Sublime Text, Visual Studio Code, or BBEdit. If the application you want isn’t listed, click Other to navigate to the application in your Applications folder.
- After selecting your preferred app, click the Change All button to set it as the default for all .txt files.
- Confirm your choice by clicking Continue.
Now, any .txt file you double-click will automatically open in the text editor of your choice.
Reading TXT Files Using macOS’s Built-In Tools
If you need to quickly view a .txt file without opening an application, macOS provides a feature called Quick Look. Here’s how to use it:
- Select the .txt file you want to read.
- Press the Spacebar to open a preview of the file.
- The Quick Look feature will display the content of the .txt file without launching any application. You can scroll through the file and close the preview by pressing the Spacebar again.
Quick Look is ideal for quickly checking the content of small text files without needing to launch a dedicated text editor.
How to Open and Edit TXT Files on Android
Built-in Tools for Android Users
When it comes to opening and reading .txt files on Android, most devices come with the Files by Google app, which is a simple tool for managing files across your device. The Files by Google app allows you to open and preview .txt files, providing a basic interface to view the file’s content. However, this app is limited in its functionality, as it does not allow you to edit the text. If you want to make changes to the text, you’ll need to use a third-party app designed for text editing.
For users who need to quickly access and review plain text files, Files by Google can be convenient for previewing the content. But for editing, additional apps are necessary to get the full experience.
Best Android Apps to Open and Edit TXT Files
While Android devices come with basic tools for opening .txt files, using specialized apps provides a more robust experience, especially if you need to edit the file. Here are some of the best Android apps for opening and editing .txt files:
Jota+ (Text Editor)
Jota+ is a popular text editor for Android that is tailored to users who need to work with large text files. It comes with a host of features that make it an excellent choice for editing plain text files. Key features include:
Support for large files: Jota+ can handle files that are several megabytes in size, making it ideal for log files, scripts, or lengthy text-based documents.
Customization options: Users can customize the font size, color scheme, and layout for a more personalized experience.
Multiple language support: Jota+ supports multiple languages, allowing for easy editing of content in different languages.
Search and replace functionality: It includes a search tool to quickly locate specific content within the text, which is useful when working with large documents.
Jota+ is a great choice for users looking for a simple and efficient text editor on Android.
QuickEdit (Text Editor)
For those who need advanced editing features with additional functionalities, QuickEdit is an excellent option. This app is optimized for plain text editing and provides a wide range of features, including:
Syntax highlighting: QuickEdit supports syntax highlighting for various programming languages, making it an ideal tool for coders and developers who work with text-based code or configuration files.
External storage access: It provides access to files stored on external storage, including SD cards, making it easy to work with files stored on other devices or external drives.
Cloud service integration: QuickEdit integrates with cloud services like Google Drive and Dropbox, allowing users to easily access and save their files across devices.
Tab-based interface: QuickEdit features a multi-tab interface, allowing you to open and work on multiple files at once, streamlining the process when dealing with multiple text documents.
With its rich set of features, QuickEdit is one of the most powerful text editors available on Android.
Dcoder (Text Editor and Compiler)
Dcoder is a powerful app designed for programmers and developers. While it is primarily known for its coding capabilities, it is also an excellent tool for editing plain text files. Features of Dcoder include:
Text editing and coding features: Dcoder offers syntax highlighting and code formatting, making it an ideal choice for those working with code snippets or configuration files.
Code compilation support: Dcoder also supports code compilation for over 50 programming languages, providing a seamless workflow for developers who need to write and test code directly from their Android device.
Cloud storage support: Like QuickEdit, Dcoder also integrates with cloud services, enabling users to access and save their work to Google Drive, Dropbox, or other cloud storage providers.
Although Dcoder is more focused on coding, it offers a clean and powerful environment for text editing as well, making it a great choice for tech-savvy users.
Using Google Docs to Edit TXT Files
If you’re looking for a simple workaround to edit a .txt file, you can use Google Docs to open and modify your files. Here’s how to do it:
- Upload the .txt file to Google Drive.
- Open the Google Drive app or go to the Google Drive website on your device.
- Find the .txt file you uploaded and select it.
- Choose to open the file with Google Docs.
While Google Docs is not primarily designed for editing plain text files, it offers several benefits:
Cloud-based editing: With Google Docs, your .txt file is automatically saved in the cloud, so you can access it from any device with an internet connection.
Sharing and collaboration: Google Docs makes it easy to share and collaborate on files with others. You can invite others to view or edit the file, making it an excellent tool for group projects or collaborative writing.
Format conversion: When you open a .txt file in Google Docs, some formatting might be applied, such as converting the file to a Google Docs document format. However, you can still edit and export the file back to .txt format once you’re done making changes.
While Google Docs is a useful tool, it might alter the file’s original format slightly. If you need to maintain the plain text format without any additional styling, you might prefer using a dedicated text editor instead.
Try QuickEdit from the Play Store
If you are looking for a simple and reliable app to open and edit .txt files on your Android device, consider trying QuickEdit. You can easily find it on the Google Play Store, and it’s available for free, with an option to unlock additional features through an in-app purchase. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get started:
- Go to the Google Play Store on your Android device.
- Search for QuickEdit Text Editor.
- Tap on Install and wait for the app to download and install.
- Once installed, open the app and use it to access your .txt files.
QuickEdit is a great choice for users who need more advanced features, such as syntax highlighting, cloud storage access, and tabbed editing.
Best Methods for Opening and Editing TXT Files on Android
Opening and editing .txt files on Android is simple with the right tools. While Android’s built-in Files by Google app allows for basic file previews, third-party apps like Jota+, QuickEdit, and Dcoder provide more advanced features, including syntax highlighting, cloud storage access, and multi-file editing. For users who prefer a cloud-based solution, Google Docs offers a way to edit and share text files easily, though it may apply some formatting.
No matter what your specific needs are, there is an app on the Google Play Store that can help you manage and edit your .txt files efficiently. Whether you’re looking for simple text editing or advanced programming tools, Android has a range of options to fit every user’s requirements.
Opening TXT Files on Linux
Linux, known for its versatility and customization, offers several ways to open and work with .txt files. Depending on your preference, you can choose between GUI-based editors for a user-friendly experience or command-line tools for more advanced editing. Below are the two primary approaches to opening and editing .txt files on Linux systems.
Using GUI Editors on Linux
For most Linux distributions, the Graphical User Interface (GUI) editors are the go-to solution for opening and working with .txt files. These editors are designed to provide an intuitive and easy-to-use environment for those who prefer a visual interface over the command line. Some of the most commonly used GUI text editors on Linux include:
gedit
On Ubuntu and many GNOME-based Linux distributions, gedit is the default text editor. It is a lightweight, simple tool that supports essential text editing features, making it ideal for opening .txt files. Some of its key features include:
Syntax highlighting: While primarily designed for general text editing, gedit can be customized to highlight syntax for specific programming languages, making it useful for basic code editing.
Tabbed interface: You can open multiple files in different tabs within the same window, providing an efficient workspace for managing several .txt files.
Plugin support: gedit supports various plugins that enhance its functionality, including features for spell-checking, version control integration, and more.
Although gedit is perfect for most basic text editing tasks, its customization options and plugins make it flexible for advanced users as well.
Kate
For KDE-based Linux systems, Kate serves as the default text editor. While similar to gedit, Kate is more feature-rich, with a focus on supporting developers and power users. Key features of Kate include:
Advanced syntax highlighting: Kate provides syntax support for many programming languages, making it ideal for users who need to work with .txt files that contain code.
Multiple views and split editing: You can open multiple files side by side within the same window, enhancing productivity when working with multiple documents.
Customizable interface: Kate offers extensive customization options, allowing users to tailor the editor’s appearance and behavior according to their preferences.
For users on KDE desktop environments, Kate is an excellent choice for both basic text editing and more advanced programming tasks.
Command Line Tools for Advanced Users
Linux is well-known for its powerful command-line interface, and many experienced users prefer terminal-based text editors. These tools offer more control over the editing process, especially in server management, programming, and shell scripting. If you are comfortable using the terminal, you can use the following command-line editors to open and edit .txt files:
Nano
Nano is one of the most beginner-friendly terminal-based text editors. It’s simple, efficient, and often pre-installed on many Linux distributions. To open a .txt file with nano, simply run the following command:
nano file.txt
This will open the file in the nano editor, where you can start editing immediately. Some features of nano include:
Simple navigation: Use the arrow keys to navigate the text file, making it easy to edit the content.
Search functionality: You can search for specific text within the file using Ctrl+W.
Save and exit: To save your changes, press Ctrl+O; to exit nano, press Ctrl+X.
Nano is particularly favored for quick edits and basic text manipulation, making it a great choice for users working in the terminal who need to make minor changes to .txt files.
Vim
Vim is a more advanced text editor that offers a highly customizable environment for editing .txt files. Unlike nano, Vim operates in different modes, including insert mode for text entry and command mode for file management. Opening a file in Vim is done with the following command:
vim file.txt
Some of the key features of Vim include:
Modes: Vim’s unique modal editing allows for efficient text navigation and manipulation using specific keystrokes.
Extensive customization: Users can modify the editor’s behavior and appearance with configuration files.
Powerful search and replace: Vim’s search functionality is very robust, enabling users to search and replace text with regular expressions.
Although Vim has a steep learning curve, it is a powerful tool for users who need to edit large .txt files or work with code.
Emacs
Emacs is another highly flexible and extensible text editor commonly used on Linux. It’s particularly popular among developers and power users who need to do more than just basic text editing. To open a file in Emacs, run the following command:
emacs file.txt
Some of the features of Emacs include:
Text manipulation tools: Emacs provides a variety of tools for text processing, including macros, search and replace, and syntax highlighting.
Extensibility: You can install and configure various extensions to tailor Emacs to your specific needs. This makes it ideal for users who need a fully customized editing environment.
Multi-file management: Emacs can handle multiple files at once and provides an integrated environment for editing, compiling, and debugging code.
Like Vim, Emacs is best suited for advanced users who require a high degree of customization and control over their text editing environment.
Opening TXT Files in Linux Environments
Linux provides a wealth of options for opening and editing .txt files, whether you prefer a simple GUI editor or a more advanced command-line tool. For those using desktop environments like GNOME or KDE, tools such as gedit and Kate offer intuitive, feature-rich experiences. On the other hand, nano, Vim, and Emacs are indispensable for terminal users, particularly those involved in server management, scripting, or software development.
Regardless of whether you are an experienced Linux user or just getting started, you’ll find a suitable tool to meet your text editing needs, whether you’re working with plain text files or more complex documents. The flexibility of Linux allows you to customize your editing environment and choose the tools that best fit your workflow.
Online Tools and Advanced Options for TXT Files
When working with .txt files, sometimes the best solution is to use online tools or advanced methods to process and edit these files, especially when you want to avoid installing software or need more flexibility in your workflow. These options provide convenience and power, allowing you to access and manipulate .txt files from virtually anywhere, whether you’re working with plain text or need to integrate more advanced features like version control or scripting.
Web-Based TXT File Editors
For those who don’t want to download or install any software, online text editors are an excellent alternative. These browser-based tools let you edit, save, and share .txt files with minimal effort. They’re especially useful when you need quick access to plain text content without the need for a local text editor.
Some of the popular web-based editors for .txt files include:
EditPad
EditPad is a simple, easy-to-use online text editor that supports basic text editing functionalities. You can paste or upload .txt content, make edits, and download it again when you’re done. It’s a great tool for small edits and quick note-taking. It also supports a variety of text formats, making it flexible for different types of editing work.
Online Notepad
Online Notepad is a web-based tool that offers a straightforward way to edit and save .txt files without needing to install anything. It allows you to type directly into the browser or upload your .txt file, then edit it as needed. Once you finish, simply download the edited file to your local storage.
JustNotepad
Similar to other online notepad services, JustNotepad allows you to open and edit .txt files in your browser. Its minimalistic design ensures a distraction-free writing environment. Like Online Notepad, you can paste or upload content and make necessary edits before saving the updated file to your computer.
These web-based text editors are convenient when you are working from a public computer or simply prefer the ease of working within a web browser. They are suitable for quick edits or working with text content on the go.
Version-Controlled Text with GitHub Gists
For developers or anyone who needs version control for .txt files, GitHub Gist offers a powerful solution. GitHub Gists provide an online platform for storing, sharing, and versioning .txt files or any other code-related content.
What is GitHub Gist?
GitHub Gist is a service provided by GitHub that allows users to store and share snippets of code or text. Gists are perfect for storing .txt files because they automatically integrate version control, meaning every change you make is saved as a new version that you can revert to or compare against. This is particularly useful for collaborative projects, sharing code snippets, or working on .txt files remotely.
Collaborative Editing
With GitHub Gists, you can share a .txt file publicly or with specific collaborators. This makes it an excellent choice for working on documents in a team environment. Real-time editing is possible with the integration of GitHub’s collaborative features, and it even allows for commenting on specific lines of code or text.
If you need access to your .txt files from anywhere and want to keep track of changes over time, GitHub Gist is a perfect solution. Its version control system ensures that you can always revert to previous versions or track edits, providing a secure and efficient way to work with .txt files in a cloud-based environment.
Using Command-Line Scripting to Process TXT Files
For advanced users, especially those in fields like software development, data analysis, or system administration, command-line scripting offers a powerful method for automating the manipulation of .txt files. If you frequently need to read, process, or analyze large .txt datasets, automating this task with scripting languages like Python or PowerShell can save you time and effort.
Python for TXT Files
Python is a highly versatile language that provides simple methods for reading and editing .txt files. Here’s an example of how you can open a .txt file and print its content using Python:
with open("file.txt", "r") as file:
print(file.read())
This snippet opens file.txt, reads its contents, and prints them to the terminal. You can further modify this script to process the .txt file, such as extracting specific data, transforming text, or analyzing logs. Python is widely used for tasks like data extraction, log file analysis, and automated report generation, making it a valuable tool for anyone who regularly works with .txt files in an automation manner.
PowerShell for Windows Users
For Windows users, PowerShell is a powerful command-line tool that can be used for scripting and automating .txt file processing. You can use PowerShell to open and manipulate .txt files using commands like Get-Content to read the contents of a file:
Get-Content "file.txt"
With PowerShell, you can also write scripts to automate the extraction, modification, or organization of text data, which is particularly useful when dealing with large data sets or performing routine maintenance tasks.
Bash Scripting on Linux
For Linux users, Bash scripting provides robust tools to automate the opening, reading, and editing of .txt files. Bash is ideal for handling repetitive tasks, such as data extraction from logs or batch renaming files.
#!/bin/bash
cat file.txt
This basic script reads the contents of file.txt and displays it in the terminal. More complex scripts can handle tasks like search-and-replace, data processing, or even interaction with other applications to manipulate .txt file contents.
Command-line scripting allows for efficient, batch processing of .txt files, particularly in technical workflows where large volumes of text data need to be processed or modified.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Program to Open .TXT Files
Understanding which software is used to open .txt files depends largely on your device and the level of functionality you need. From basic viewing in Notepad on Windows or TextEdit on macOS, to advanced editing using apps like QuickEdit for Android or Textastic on iOS, there’s a solution for every platform and user need. For Linux users, both GUI editors like gedit and terminal-based tools such as vim or nano offer flexible options. If you prefer not to install software, online editors like EditPad or cloud platforms like Google Docs make it easy to view and edit text files from anywhere.
Whether you’re a casual user reading notes or a developer manipulating logs or code, there’s a wide range of apps and tools available. Choose the one that matches your workflow—be it local apps, cloud-based platforms, or scripting tools like Python or PowerShell—to ensure your .txt files open and perform exactly how you need them to.
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