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How do you save HTML files with Mac's TextEdit?

A reader writes:

I have a Mac running OS 10.3.5, and I am trying to use TextEdit to write HTML code in your example. However, it will not let me save the file with an .html extension, as you specify needs to happen for the browsers to properly read it. And I tried it anyway using both .rtf and .txt extensions (the only options it will allow), and Explorer says "it doesn't know how to handle the type of file you've selected." Of course, I didn't expect it to work, because your book said it wouldn't. What can I do? And will I continue encountering problems as I go through your book since I'm working on a Mac, and the book is written from the perspective of PC users? Thanks

Dave's Answer: First off, the good news: I actually wrote the book on a Mac, not a PC. I used the PC for screenshots, but I used a Mac to develop the examples. Everything will work, and you'll have no further hiccups.

I can assure you that you can save HTML files using TextEdit. The secret is to choose "Make Plain Text" from the Format menu before you try to save the file. Then, when you go to save it, specify ".html" as the filename suffix and choose "Don't Append" when TextEdit helpfully asks if you want to add the .txt extension or not. Do those two steps (which you only have to do when it's a brand new document, btw) and you'll be fine.

Or, look on a site like versiontracker for HTML editors: there are some nice choices that cost nothing at all, including WebCode, HTML Edit X and Taco HTML Editor. Or you can pop open your Terminal application and use a plain-text editor like vi to build your sites. That's what I do, but, well, I might be a tad extreme in that regard. :-)

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Categorized: Mac OS X Help (Article 3739)
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Comments

i just accidently erassed something very imported a homework how do i go back y just got my mac computer i really dont know how to use it

Posted by: melisa at February 21, 2007 9:17 PM

Wow! FINALLY! I am so happy i found this site.

I brought my mac about a month ago now. And i've been trying to figure out how to do this for soo long lol.

brilliant help! Thanks alot 10/10

Posted by: Martin at September 10, 2007 3:55 PM

Thanks a bunch! I had some html coding saved in NotePad files on my PC, but I just moved to a Mac. I couldn't open those files properly in TextEdit. Now I'm copying them from NotePad on my PC and emailing them to the Mac, and then saving them as html files in TextEdit. It's a pain, but a solution! :-)

Posted by: Dawn @ My Home Sweet Home at January 3, 2008 11:49 AM

Thank you Thank you Thank you!! I couldn't understand how to save the simple text as html for the life of me, and it was driving me crazy! This was the only advice I could find on the web!

Posted by: Jessica Donadio at March 1, 2008 5:27 AM

Very, very helpful. Sometimes it is frustrating to know enough to code HTML, but then not being able to get a simple Text app to work. Thank you very, very much.

Posted by: Ed at September 29, 2008 8:32 PM

Thanks!! the information was very useful.I was thinking that my macbook was too complicated for me,(I am a pc user, recently bought a macbook)
thanks again!!

Posted by: paloma at November 2, 2009 11:47 PM

thank you very much... it helped me a lot..

Posted by: Sonu at February 24, 2010 11:57 PM

I have something to say, now that you mention it, but ...

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

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