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Creating HTML files with NotePad, Redux

I am having a problem saving HTML in NotePad. It won't save it as HTML so I can go no further. I see you have already answered this exact question. The problem is, the answer wasn't correct. In NotePad to save something you said to make sure to save it as HTML and not Text. But it doesn't give you any other options. When you click save as in NotePad it gives you only two options: Text File or All Files (*.*). There is no way to erase that or create your own, so I am still stuck at the same place as the last guy who wrote. Please investigate this as I can't find the answer anywhere and I just purchased a host and domain that I can't seem to use. I'm afraid the other guy who wrote in is probably bald now from pulling his hair out.


Dave's Answer:

Well, when I read through the previous article, How do I Edit HTML Files Using Windows NotePad, it all looks consistent with my Windows XP installation, but let me step through it again, just for good luck!

First off, open NotePad by going to Start --> Programs --> Accessories --> NotePad.

Now just type in your HTML directly (and if you don't know your HTML from the proverbial hole in the ground, I suggest you check out my book Creating Cool Web Sites).

When you're ready to save your newly created Web page, choose Save As... from the File menu and you'll see the following dialog box:

Windows NotePad Save As HTML

Notice here the critical thing: In the filename field I'm supplying both the filename and the filename suffix, in this case ".htm' (though ".html" would work fine too).

That's all there is to it. Click on 'Save' and you've just created an HTML file. In fact, even the icon on the desktop will be different than a regular text file, to show that it's a Web page:

NotePad file saved as HTML

I have Firefox as my default browser, hence the funky little firefox icon, but the important thing to notice is that it isn't just a plain text icon.

Now, when I double-click on the new file icon it shows the page in my Web browser rather than the source in NotePad:

NotePad HTML file in Firefox

That should clear up any confusion!



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Comments

You should change the save file to "*.*", not "*.txt", then add the ".htm/.html" to the end. I have found that sometimes the .txt gets added to the end of the file name "index.html.txt", which will not work in a browser...

Bob

Posted by: Robert Kubichek at August 11, 2005 3:47 PM

Been there done that. Change the save option from Text Docs to All Files. Add the extension to the file name as noted (myindexfile.html)

Posted by: Dan C at August 12, 2005 12:02 AM

Man, you saved me alota trouble. Will be back for more reference. Later

Posted by: Mark at August 17, 2006 8:12 PM

do this and save or rename in again

My computer
Tools
Folder options<-----(control panel)
View
Untick the box “Hide extensions for known file types�
Apply
Ok

Know check the .html file you have created. it may look something like this

“index.html.txt�

Posted by: nevermind at December 19, 2007 3:14 AM

This site looks great and I'm sure I'll look again since I'm only starting to design web-pages. I just saved mysef a ton of headaches when you showed how to save notepad files as html files.. THANK YOU!!!! :)

Posted by: Candace at March 6, 2008 4:08 PM

All the notepad html docs I save are saved as somthing called chromehtml and when I open them, they don't go into a browser windowlike the normal html files so I can't see what my changes look like

Posted by: Marsh at January 4, 2009 2:33 AM

All my files that i have saved to my PC are stuck in notepad and when i try to open them up they automaticly open in notepad and are in some kind of code configuration that is like computer lingo for page design and layout. So I cant even read my files. I need help. how do I fix this without buying some crazy software or whatever? Can anyone help me please?

Posted by: Krysten at April 28, 2009 2:59 PM

To the guy who posted I am having a problem saving HTML in NotePad.I have your answer. make sure your newly created file is closed. right click on it and then click properties. you will see a spot that says (type of file) make sure it says html. now you will also see a spot that says open with. this needs to be changed to the browser you use. but note you should only change this if it said html not txt or your browser will open all notepad txt files in the browser. some people online think there is only one answer to a problem and not really listen to a question them talk to people like they are dumb and go through the steps again. the problem is that the steps are correct accept no one mentions that you have to sometime manually set it to open with your browser

Posted by: warren at May 9, 2009 9:38 AM

I have a lot to say, but ...
Starbucks coffee cup I have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but most of all I'd like to say thank you for all your efforts on this Web site by buying you a chai!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!











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