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TEXT File - What is a .text file and how do I open it?
Learn about .TEXT files and view a list of programs that open them.
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Overview
What is a TEXT file? A TEXT file is a simple text document that contains unformatted ASCII text. It can be opened and edited in any text editor or word processor. TEXT files are more commonly saved as .TXT files.
More Information TEXT file open in Microsoft Notepad TEXT files store text that can be viewed and edited in Microsoft Notepad, Apple TextEdit, and other text editors. Unlike .RTF , .DOCX , and .PAGES files, TEXT files cannot include advanced formatting, such as bolding, italicization, font styles, and text alignment. Because TEXT files cannot include formatting, they typically contain only basic information, such as notes, step-by-step instructions, and program information logs. Software developers may also package TEXT files with games and tools they distribute to contain instructions or other information about the software. Users who need to create more complicated text documents, such as resumes, reports, letters, or flyers, typically do not save those documents as TEXT files. Instead, they use Microsoft Word or Apple Pages to create and save documents as DOCX or PAGES files.
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DeveloperMicrosoft
Popularity4.0 | 4 Votes
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In-Depth
.TEXT File Extension
2 file types use the .text file extension.
Plain Text File
| Developer | N/A |
| Popularity |
3.6 | 144 Votes |
What is a TEXT file?
A TEXT file is a simple text document that contains unformatted ASCII text. It can be opened and edited in any text editor or word processor. TEXT files are more commonly saved as .TXT files.
More Information
TEXT file open in Microsoft Notepad
TEXT files store text that can be viewed and edited in Microsoft Notepad, Apple TextEdit, and other text editors. Unlike .RTF , .DOCX , and .PAGES files, TEXT files cannot include advanced formatting, such as bolding, italicization, font styles, and text alignment.
Because TEXT files cannot include formatting, they typically contain only basic information, such as notes, step-by-step instructions, and program information logs. Software developers may also package TEXT files with games and tools they distribute to contain instructions or other information about the software.
Users who need to create more complicated text documents, such as resumes, reports, letters, or flyers, typically do not save those documents as TEXT files. Instead, they use Microsoft Word or Apple Pages to create and save documents as DOCX or PAGES files.
How to open a TEXT file
You can open a TEXT file in any text editor and most popular web browsers. Below, you'll find platform-specific instructions for opening TEXT files.
How do I open a TEXT file in Windows?
In Windows, you can open a TEXT file in Microsoft Notepad or Microsoft WordPad , both of which come included with Windows. To open a TEXT file in Notepad:
How do I open a TEXT file on a Mac?
In macOS, you can open a TEXT file in Apple TextEdit , which comes included with the operating system. To open a TEXT file in TextEdit:
How do I open a TEXT file in Chrome OS?
On Chromebooks, you can open a TEXT file in Google Chrome Text, which comes included with Chrome OS. To open a TEXT file in Google Chrome Text:
How do I open a TEXT file in my web browser?
The Google Chrome , Mozilla Firefox , and Microsoft Edge web browsers all allow users to open TEXT files. Keep in mind, however, that you will not be able to edit your TEXT file in a web browser.
In Chrome and Firefox, you can simply drag and drop your file into a browser window to open it. In Microsoft Edge, you must copy and paste your file's location into Edge's address bar to open the file.
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Programs that open TEXT files
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Program Name
Platform
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X
Windows
Microsoft Notepad
Included with OS
Microsoft WordPad
Microsoft Word 365
Free Trial
Corel WordPerfect 2021
Free Trial
Any text editor
Mac
Apple TextEdit
Included with OS
Bare Bones BBEdit
Free Trial
MacroMates TextMate
Free
Microsoft Word 365
Free Trial
Any text editor
Linux
Leafpad
Free
gedit
Free
KWrite
Free
Geany
Free
Other text editor
Web
Online TXT Reader
Free
iOS
Apple Pages
Free
Microsoft Office
Free +
Microsoft Word
Free +
MobiSystems OfficeSuite Pro
Free +
Infraware Polaris Office
Free +
Android
File Viewer for Android
Free +
Microsoft Office
Free +
Microsoft Word
Free +
Rhythm Software QuickEdit text editor
Free
Aquamarine Networks Jota Text Editor
Free
Chrome OS
Google Chrome Text
Included with OS
Category: Text Files
Updated: March 8, 2021
Windows Binary Machine Code File
| Developer | Microsoft |
| Popularity |
4.0 | 4 Votes |
A .text file is a binary machine code file included in a Windows executable ( .EXE ) or dynamic link library ( .DLL ) file. Unlike plain text TEXT files, binary TEXT files contain processor-specific machine instructions that executable files reference when run.
More Information
Contents (including a .text file) extracted from an EXE or DLL file
Since binary TEXT files are packaged in EXE or DLL files, you are most likely to encounter them when you extract an EXE or DLL file's contents with an archive utility (e.g., 7-Zip ). While not all EXE and DLL files contain TEXT files, most modern EXE files (saved in the Portable Executable format) and DLL files do.
For example, if you extract a portable executable EXE file's contents, you may encounter these files:
NOTE: Mac and Linux executables can also include TEXT files. These TEXT files also contain binary machine instructions, saved in platform-specific formats.
Common TEXT Filenames
.text - Binary TEXT files are unnamed; only the .text file extension is present.
How to open a TEXT file
Binary TEXT files are not meant to be opened. Instead, Windows executables (EXE files) reference binary TEXT files when run, or programs using DLL files reference them.
Programs that open or reference TEXT files
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Microsoft Windows
Paid
Category: Misc Files
Updated: November 9, 2023