Today we’re going to take a closer look at a great, simple program that comes free with Windows: Notepad.
It’s nothing fancy, but for writing simple notes in plain text or copying and pasting text, there’s not much better. To open it up, just type Notepad in your Windows search box and click on the result.
This very basic-looking program will open.
Just click on the screen and start typing.
It’s a very basic program, but you have some options. Click File to start a new document, open an existing document, or print. This is also where you can change the page setup.
You can adjust the paper size, choose between portrait and landscape, and adjust the margins.
Under Edit, you’ll find standard copy/paste functions, plus the ability to search for and replace text. You can also add a time and date to your note.
Under View, you’ll be able to decide if you want your words to go out in a straight line or use word wrap.
Without word wrap, it looks like this.
Here it is with word wrap.
Click the Settings gear in the upper right and then Fonts to adjust font, style, and type size.
One of my favorite uses of Notepad is to remove unwanted formatting from text that I’m copying. If I copy from the original source and paste into a Notepad document, I can copy and paste again without the unwanted formatting.
This hardworking little program is a refreshing break from the sometimes overwhelming options of programs like Word. Check it out.
Wow,Cyn! Thank you so, SO much for that write-up about Notepad ! !’ve been using that program ever since I got into computers many, many years ago and never knew it did all those things! Or have those changes just been added in the last few years? Still – you presented lots of stuff that I was not aware of. I am so happy that I can now drop something I’m paying Microsoft for because all I want to do is write letters to a couple of friends who don’t use computers. Hard to believe, isn’t it? But my 60+ year old daughter won’t use a computer, she’s content with her phone – and she is very good at using that. Whatever floats one’s boat I guess.
Thanks again, you’ve made my day!
Regards, Virginia
FreeTextBin is an online text storage website where users can store and share text snippets and code snippets with anyone. It allows users to store text anonymously and securely, and provides a simple and intuitive user interface. It also provides an API to allow developers to integrate its features into their own applications. FreeTextBin also offers a range of features such as syntax highlighting, private notes, and a searchable directory.
If you type .LOG at the start of a note, it will update date and time each time the note is opened. I have found this very useful for logging hours worked at home.