But if you need you can also change the Encoding.īy default, the extension of the new file will be. By default, it’s Unicode (UTF-8) and it should be enough in most cases. The last option in the Save File dialog is a Plain Text Encoding. You can even create a new folder if needed. In this window, you can browse and find the folder for your file. This will change the folder selection from the list to a Finder window. If the folder you need is not in the list, click on an icon that looks like a down arrow. If you click on the dropdown next to Where label it will provide a list of different locations including Favorites and Recent folders. Now make sure that the file will be saved in the correct folder by checking Where section. To save the document either press Command-S or go to the app menu, select File and then Save.įirst, change the name of the file from Untitled to whatever you need. Or go to the app menu, select Format, this will display a dropdown where you need to click on Make Plain Text option. To switch to plain text either press Shift-Command-T. In a search windows type TextEdit and hit Enter.īy default, TextEdit creates files in RTF format (look like Word documents).

To start TextEdit hold Command key and hit Space bar. TextEdit is a default application that comes with every Mac and it is free. Instead, you have to browse to the required folder every time when creating a file. The disadvantage of this approach is that you cannot create files in the Finder. Create Text File on Mac With TextEditĬreating a file using TextEdit is the simplest way for someone who does not want to do anything too technical. Let’s review four possible solutions in detail. There are many ways to make creating files easier. Finally, select the output folder, provide the name of the new file, and click Save.

Next, go to the File option in the menu and click Save. In the app menu select Format, Make Plain Text (or use Command-Shift-T keys).

To create a new file on a Mac launch TextEdit app from the Launchpad. But if there is one thing, I miss a lot, the thing that Windows does better than Mac, is easiness of creating a new file. They are very easy to use and much more stable than Windows computers.

Mac finder window settings saving files