How to Save a Document as an HTML File in a Plain Text Editor

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Follow this simple guide for Windows & Mac to save your txt files as html

Co-authored by Hannah Dillon

Last Updated: December 20, 2024 Fact Checked

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Notepad (Windows)

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TextEdit (Mac)

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Online Converter (Windows & Mac)

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Video

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Q&A

Did you know that if you type up some HTML in Notepad, you can save it in a way that it opens up in your browser, like a website? It won't be a fully fledged public site unless you turn it into one, but you can still see the effect of your HTML in your private browser. HTML is the markup language of the entire Web, being one of the core components along with CSS and JavaScript.

Quick Steps

Open the code file in a plain text editor like Notepad or TextEdit.
Add <html></html> tags around the code.
Save the document as an .html or .htm file.
Open the file to make sure everything looks as intended.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Notepad (Windows)

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1
Open your code file. If your file is saved as a .txt file, it will open by default in Notepad for Windows.
- If your document isn't opening in Notepad, simply right-click the file, then click Open With > Notepad.
Click into the top of your document and add a <html> tag on a new line.

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Click into the bottom of your document and add a </html> tag on a new line.
To do this, click File > Save As.
When saving your code, you can enter any file name you like, but type .html or .htm after the file name. Ensure the file type dropdown is set to All Files or HTML.
When you open the new version of your code, it will look like a website that applies the HTML you've written to the page.^{[1]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

TextEdit (Mac)

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1
Open your code file. If your file is saved as a .txt file, it will open by default in TextEdit on a Mac.
- If your document isn't opening in TextEdit, simply control-click the file, then click Open With > TextEdit.
Click into the top of your document and add a <html> tag on a new line.
Click into the bottom of your document and add a </html> tag on a new line.
To do this, click File > Save As.
When saving your code, you can enter any file name you like, but type .html or .htm after the file name. Ensure the file type dropdown is set to All Files or HTML.
When you open the new version of your code, it will look like a website that applies the HTML you've written to the page.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Online Converter (Windows & Mac)

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CloudConvert is a free website that allows you to convert files into other file types.
It's on the right-hand side of the webpage, next to the word "convert." The TXT option is under the "Document" section.
It's on the right next to the first dropdown, separated by the word "to." The HTML option is under the "Document" section.
If you click the Select File button itself, the webpage will open a dialog box where you can choose a file from your computer. If you click the arrow next to Select File, you can choose a different way to upload your file.
If you want to convert multiple files at once, click Add more files at the bottom of the page.
It will take a few seconds for your file to be converted to HTML.
Your .txt file has now been converted to .html and can be used in website applications.

Community Q&A

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Question

How do I add audio and video in HTML to my first website?

Community Answer

The HTML element is used to embed sound content in documents. It may contain one or more audio sources, represented using the SRC attribute or the element, the browser will choose the most suitable one. It can also be the destination for streamed media, using a MediaStream.

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Question

Can I edit the HTML file after saving it?

Community Answer

Yes! Just go to the original text document, edit it, and then save it. All new changes will be seen on the website.

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Question

I followed the instructions correctly, but it doesn't seem to work. How can I fix this?

Community Answer

Either repeat Step 5 while making sure to add ".html" at the end of the file's name and select "All Files (*.*)" or verify that your code is correct without any errors.

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Thank you for your feedback.
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