The fastest way: open TextEdit and save as plain text

The simplest path is to use TextEdit, which comes built into every Mac. Open Spotlight by pressing Command+Space, type "TextEdit", and press Enter. A blank document opens when ready.

Before you type anything, you must change one setting. Go to Format in the menu bar and click "Make Plain Text". This matters because TextEdit defaults to rich text format, which adds invisible formatting codes that some programs cannot read. Plain text is what you want for a document that will stay readable anywhere.

Now type your content. When you are done, press Command+S to save. Give your file a name and choose where to store it — your Desktop, Documents folder, or anywhere else. Make sure the filename ends with .txt (for example, "grocery_list.txt"). Click Save.

Key Takeaways

  • TextEdit is already on your Mac and requires no read or account setup.
  • You must switch TextEdit to plain text mode before typing, or your document will contain hidden formatting.
  • Always save with a .txt extension so other programs can open your file without trouble.
  • If you want to use a different editor like Notepad++ or VS Code, you can read them free, but they work the same way: open, type, save with .txt extension.

Why TextEdit's default format causes problems

TextEdit's standard mode is called rich text format (RTF). It looks like plain text on your screen, but the file actually contains codes for fonts, colors, spacing, and other formatting. If you send an RTF file to someone using Windows, or try to open it in a program that expects plain text, those hidden codes can make the document unreadable or cause errors.

Plain text has no hidden codes. It is just letters, numbers, and punctuation. Every device and every text program on Earth can read it the same way. This is why switching to plain text mode before you start typing matters — you cannot reliably convert a rich text document to plain text after the fact.

Other text editors available on Mac

If you want more features than TextEdit offers, you have free options. VS Code (Visual Studio Code) is popular with people who write code or work with structured data, but it works fine for regular writing too. Notepad++ is lightweight and fast. Sublime Text has a free trial that never expires. All three let you create and save plain text files the same way: open, type, save with .txt extension.

The trade-off is that these programs are more complex. They have more menus, more settings, and a steeper learning curve. For a straightforward grocery list or a quick note, TextEdit is faster. For something you will edit many times or share with others, a dedicated text editor can be worth learning.

Where your document actually lives on your Mac

When you save a file, macOS stores it in the location you chose during the save dialog. If you picked "Documents", the file lives in your Documents folder. If you picked "Desktop", it appears as an icon on your desktop that you can double-click to open.

You can also save to an external drive, a USB stick, or a cloud folder like iCloud Drive or Dropbox. The process is the same: press Command+S, navigate to the location you want, name the file, and click Save. The file stays in that location until you move it or delete it.

Opening a text file you created earlier

Double-click the file icon on your desktop or in a folder, and it opens in whatever program your Mac has set as the default for .txt files. Usually that is TextEdit, but it could be something else if you have installed a different editor.

If you want to open it in a specific program instead, right-click the file, select "Open With", and choose the program from the list. You can also drag the file onto a program icon in your dock or Applications folder.

Privacy considerations when choosing where to save

If you save to iCloud Drive, Dropbox, Google Drive, or another cloud service, your file is uploaded to that company's servers. You should read that service's privacy policy to understand what happens to your data. Some services encrypt files so that even the company cannot read them; others can read your files to scan for viruses or to train their systems.

If you want your document to stay only on your Mac, save it to your local Documents folder or Desktop instead. The file will not leave your computer unless you manually move it or share it. This is the most private option, but it also means you cannot access the file from another device.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between .txt and .doc or .docx?

.txt is plain text with no formatting. .doc and .docx are Microsoft Word formats that can store fonts, colors, images, and complex layouts. If you only need text, .txt is simpler and works everywhere. If you need formatting, use .docx, but know that some older programs may not read it.

Can I create a text document without TextEdit?

Yes. You can use any text editor, including the ones built into your web browser. You can also open Terminal (Command+Space, type "Terminal") and use command-line editors like nano or vim, though that requires learning their commands. For most people, TextEdit is the easiest starting point.

Why does my TextEdit document look different when I open it again?

If you saved it in rich text mode instead of plain text mode, TextEdit may have added formatting that changes how it displays. To fix this, open the file, go to Format, click "Make Plain Text", and save again. From then on, it will look the same every time.

Is it safe to save text documents to iCloud Drive?

iCloud Drive encrypts files in transit and at rest, meaning Apple cannot read them. However, you should still review Apple's privacy policy to understand what data they collect about your account. If you want zero cloud storage, save locally to your Mac instead.