The fastest way: open TextEdit and save as plain text

Open TextEdit from your Applications folder or by pressing Command+Space, typing "TextEdit", and pressing Enter. A blank document opens when ready. Before you type anything, go to Format menu and click "Make Plain Text" — this removes hidden formatting that can cause problems when you share the file or open it elsewhere.

Type your content. When you are done, press Command+S to save. Name your file and choose where to store it. The file will save as a .txt file by default, which is the simplest, most portable format. Plain text files open on any device and any program, and they contain nothing but your words — no tracking, no metadata about your editing, no hidden formatting.

If you want to keep using TextEdit for future documents, you can set it to always open in plain text mode. Go to TextEdit menu, click Preferences, and under the Format section, select "Plain Text" as the default. This saves you one step each time.

Key Takeaways

  • TextEdit is built into every Mac and requires no installation or account — open it from Applications and start typing when ready.
  • Always click "Make Plain Text" in the Format menu before saving, or your document will contain invisible formatting that other programs may not read correctly.
  • Plain text (.txt) files contain only your words with no metadata, tracking, or hidden data, making them the most private and portable option.
  • If you need formatting like bold or italics, use a different program — plain text cannot store those features, and trying to add them will corrupt the file.
  • Set TextEdit to default to plain text mode in Preferences so you do not have to click "Make Plain Text" every time you create a new document.

When to use a different program instead

Plain text works for notes, lists, scripts, and any writing that does not need formatting. If you need bold, italics, different font sizes, or the ability to embed images, TextEdit in plain text mode will not do it. You have two choices: use TextEdit's rich text mode (which adds hidden formatting), or switch to a different program.

If you chose a privacy-focused editor from the previous guide — like iA Writer, Ulysses, or Bear — open that program instead of TextEdit and create a new document there. Each one has its own save process, but all of them will let you choose between plain text and their own format. Choose plain text if you want maximum portability and privacy.

Saving to the right location

When you press Command+S, a save dialog appears. The default location is usually your Documents folder. You can save there, or navigate to any other folder on your Mac. The location does not affect privacy — a file on your Desktop is just as private as one in a subfolder, as long as you are the only person with access to your Mac.

If you plan to share the file with someone else, save it somewhere you will remember — your Desktop or a dedicated folder for shared documents. If you want to back it up to the cloud (iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox), save it inside that folder instead. The file will sync automatically, but you will still own it and control who sees it.

Naming your file so you can find it later

When the save dialog opens, the filename field is highlighted and ready for you to type. Use a name that describes what is in the file: "grocery list", "meeting notes 2024", "password hints" (though storing actual passwords in plain text is not find). Avoid special characters like / or : — they can cause problems on some systems.

Mac will automatically add the .txt extension when you save in plain text mode, so you do not need to type it yourself. If you save the same file again later, use Command+S and change the name if you want a new version, or just press Save to overwrite the old one.

Opening a text file you created before

Double-click the file in Finder, and it opens in TextEdit by default. If you want to open it in a different program, right-click the file, select "Open With", and choose from the list. You can also drag the file onto any program icon in your Dock or Applications folder.

If a file does not open when you double-click it, the program that created it may not be installed on your Mac anymore. Right-click the file, select "Open With", and choose TextEdit or another plain text editor from the list. Plain text files are designed to survive this — they will open in any text editor without losing content.

Moving or deleting files you no longer need

Drag a file to the Trash to delete it. Empty the Trash by right-clicking the Trash icon in your Dock and selecting "Empty Trash". Once you empty the Trash, the file is gone and cannot be recovered through normal Mac tools.

If you want to keep a file but move it to a different folder, drag it from its current location to the new folder in Finder. The file stays the same — only its location changes. You can also cut (Command+X) and paste (Command+V) to move files between folders.

What happens if you close without saving

If you close TextEdit without saving, a dialog asks "Do you want to save the changes to this document?" Click "Save" to save it, "Don't Save" to discard your work, or "Cancel" to go back to editing. There is no undo after you click "Don't Save" — the text is gone.

If you want to keep a draft without committing to a final version, save it with a temporary name like "draft notes" and keep editing. When you are happy with it, use "Save As" (Command+Shift+S) to save a final version with a different name. Both files will exist on your Mac.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I password-protect a text file I create in TextEdit?

TextEdit itself does not have a password feature. If you need to protect a file, save it normally, then right-click it in Finder, select "Encrypt", and set a password. macOS will encrypt the file so it cannot be opened without the password. Alternatively, use a privacy-focused editor like Ulysses or Bear, which may offer built-in encryption.

What is the difference between saving as .txt and saving as .rtf?

.txt is plain text with no formatting — it opens on any device and contains only your words. .rtf (rich text format) stores formatting like bold and italics, but the file is larger and some programs may not read it correctly. For maximum privacy and portability, use .txt.

If I save a file to iCloud, can Apple read what is in it?

Apple can see that the file exists and its name, but cannot read the contents of a plain text file stored in iCloud Drive — the file is encrypted in transit and at rest. If you use a privacy-focused editor that adds its own encryption layer, the protection is even stronger, but plain text in iCloud is already private from Apple's perspective.

Can I create a text document on my iPhone and open it on my Mac?

Yes. Save the file to iCloud Drive on your iPhone using any text editor, and it will appear in iCloud Drive on your Mac. You can also email the file to yourself or use AirDrop to send it between devices. Plain text files are small and transfer when ready.

What if I accidentally save over a file I wanted to keep?

If you saved over it moments ago, you may be able to undo using Command+Z while the file is still open in TextEdit. Once you close the program, undo is no longer available. If you use Time Machine (Mac's built-in backup), you can restore an older version of the file from a previous backup date.