How to Create a .TXT File on a Mac: A Quick and Easy Guide

Being able to quickly generate and work with text files is a crucial skill for digital productivity. Being able to easily create a `.txt` file on your Mac can be super helpful for taking notes, writing code, or saving important information. Creating a text file on your Mac for the first time might seem tricky, but don't worry!

This article will explain how to create a .txt file on your Mac. We'll cover various methods, from using TextEdit to employing Terminal commands, to suit your needs. By the end, you'll have the knowledge and skills to create .TXT files efficiently, streamlining your workflow.

So, let's get started and explore the simple yet versatile ways to create a text file on Mac!

Solution 1: Create a TXT File on Mac using TextEdit

TextEdit is a user-friendly software for easily creating text documents with no computer skills required. It's a free word processing app that comes pre-installed on your Mac and can serve as a free alternative to Microsoft Office.

It has all the word processing options you need to create and manage documents, and it's great for beginners, too. If you're new to computers and have basic skills, TextEdit is a good tool for you! The best part is that you can even create and edit HTML documents in TextEdit.

To create a text file in TextEdit on your Mac, follow these steps:

Step 1. Hold down Command and press Space, then type “TextEdit” and press Return to open it.

Step 2. In TextEdit, choose "Make Plain Text" from the "Format" menu to save your file as plain text.

Step 3: Type or paste the text you want to save into the TextEdit box.

Step 4: Press Command+S, or choose File > Save. Choose the folder where you want to save the file.

If you accidentally quit and exit TextEdit without saving, can you recover unsaved TextEdit file on Mac? Of course, you can download this reliable Mac Data Recovery Wizard to retrieve unsaved or deleted .txt files on Mac.

Solution 2: Create a Text File Using Automator on a Mac

Though it may be an older app, Automator (linked here) is still a great tool for automating actions on your macOS. It's also one of the built-in utilities you can use to create and edit TXT files on your Mac. You can use Automator to make a Quick Action to access the Mac Finder service. Here's how to create a text file using Automator:

Step 1: Double-click the Automator icon in your Applications folder.

2. After clicking "New Document," select "Quick Actions."

Click on "Quick Actions". < img alt="select quick action" src="/images/en/wiki-news/select-quick-action.jpg" height="446" width="500" >

Step 3: Find “Run AppleScript” in the search field and drag it into the workflow area.

Step 4: Replace the placeholder AppleScript with the following script:

Click Run AppleScript.

5. Click the “File” menu and select “Save As.” Name your macro and click “Save.”

6. When you're done, quit Automator.

Step 7: Open Finder and navigate to the location where you want to create your text file.

Step 8: Click the Finder menu, then choose Services, and click the name of the Quick Action.

Step 9: This will create a new text file named "Untitled."

Next up, we just need to translate this into American English:

Once you've got these two methods down, you've successfully created a TXT file on your Mac. Don't forget to share these tips on social media and teach more readers!

Solution 3: Create a TXT file on Mac using Terminal.

If you prefer using a command-line interface, Terminal makes it easy to create text files on your Mac.

Step 1: Open Finder, go to "Applications" > "Utilities," and then double-click "Terminal" to open it. <How to Open Terminal on a Mac>

**Step 2**. Type `cd`, then the pathway to where you want to save your .txt file. For example, if you want to create a new file on your desktop, type `cd ~/Desktop`.

Figure 1: Command Prompt: Navigate to the desktop

Step 3: Once inside the directory, type the `touch` command followed by the `.txt` extension and the name you want for your file (e.g., `touch example.txt`).

This will create a new text file in the specified directory. You can check in Finder to see if the file has been created. Using Terminal allows you to quickly and easily create a text file without a graphical interface.

What is the shortcut to create a new TXT file on a Mac?

Using keyboard shortcuts on a Mac makes it easier to create new text files. This feature allows users to quickly create a text file without going through any extra steps. The shortcut involves pressing a combination of keys that immediately creates a new text file, streamlining the process for Mac users.

You can create a new text document on macOS Sonoma or later by pressing the Command + N keyboard shortcut.

If you're a Mac user and you value the safety of your important data, especially text files, you might want to consider using Data Recovery Wizard. This software boasts a high recovery rate and can retrieve text documents from an emptied trash bin. Overall, Data Recovery Wizard is crucial for data security and retrieval. Downloading it ensures the safety of your documents and prepares you for any unexpected needs.

Abstract

Creating a .TXT file on your Mac becomes straightforward with this comprehensive guide. Users have several options to choose from, including using TextEdit, Automator, or Terminal commands. For a quick way to create a text file, you can also utilize keyboard shortcuts.

Using a data recovery solution like the Data Recovery Wizard for Mac is essential for easily safeguarding your precious .TXT files. Don't forget to share these helpful tips and TXT tricks with your friends on social media!

Common Issues with Creating Mac TXT Files

Here's a list of frequently asked questions about creating text files on a Mac. Let's unravel the answers!

1. How do I open a .TXT file on a Mac?

On a Mac, right-click the .TXT file and select “Open With,” then choose TextEdit. You can also double-click the file to open it.

2. Can I create a TXT file in the Finder?

Yes, you can create a .txt file in Finder. To create the file, right-click in a blank area and choose "New Folder," then rename it with the .txt extension. A text editor can open and modify this .txt file.

3. What is the shortcut to create a .txt file on a Mac?

On a Mac, use Command + N to create a new text file. This shortcut will immediately generate an untitled text file on your desktop or in a Finder window.