# How to Create A Text File on Mac? \(Multiple Ways\)

## How to create a.txt file on Mac?

**Quick Answer:**

The easiest way is to use TextEdit:

1. Open TextEdit.
2. Click New Document.
3. Press Shift \+ Command \+ T to switch it to plain text.
4. Click File → Save.
5. Name it.

If you're used to right\-clicking to create a new.txt file, use[iBoysoft MagicMenu](https://iboysoft.com/magic-menu/), the right\-click enhancer.

![how to create a txt file on mac](https://iboysoft.com/images/en-howto/how-to-create-a-txt-file-on-mac/summary-how-to-create-a-txt-file-on-mac.jpg)

A text \(TXT\) file is a[plain text](https://iboysoft.com/wiki/plain-text.html), containing unformatted text with the file extension.txt. Writing in HTML and CSS or writing without formatting, is best done in TXT files. In this post, we will walk you through multiple ways to**create a text\(TXT\) file on Mac**, including the macOS built\-in tools and third\-party apps.

| **How to create TXT files on Mac** | **Difficulty level** | **Recommendations** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Create TXT files using iBoysoft MagicMenu | **Low**\- directly create a TXT file from the customized right\-click menu, best for creating a new text file in a Mac folder without launching any app |   |
| Generate TXT files with TextEdit | **Low**\- need to open the TextEdit app and save the text file to a desired location |   |
| Make TXT files via Terminal | **High**\- should be familiar with commands, incorrect operation could cause data loss |   |
| Create TXT files with Automator | **High**\- complicated procedure, need to run Apple Script |   |

Share these methods to help others make a text file on a Mac\!

Among all the methods to create.txt files on Mac, I'd like to first recommend using[iBoysoft MagicMenu](https://iboysoft.com/magic-menu/), a right\-click enhancer for Mac. This is the fastest and easiest way to**create a plain text file on Mac**from the right\-click menu.

The Finder context menu provides an option to create a new folder by default, you can't directly create a new file from the right\-click menu just as you do on Windows. However, the tool*iBoysoft MagicMenu*can customize and enhance the right\-click context menu on Mac. Creating new files is one of its highlights.

*iBoysoft MagicMenu*'s New File function supports a lot of file types, including.txt. In addition, you can also add other templates to the file type list, like doc, xls, xml, pdf... And you can even add your wanted file format to create new ones. Here's how to create a plain text file in a Macfolderor anywhere with*iBoysoft MagicMenu*:

1. Free download, install, and open it.
2. On Desktop or open the target Finder's folder, right\-click the spare area and choose *New File \> TXT* . It will create a new text file on the current location. ![create txt file with magicmenu](https://iboysoft.com/images/en-howto/how-to-create-a-txt-file-on-mac/create-txt-file-magicmenu.jpg)

Is it pretty simple to make a plain text file? This versatile right\-click tool also enables you to quickly access certain folders/files/websites on Mac, move items to a target location, convert image formats, find duplicate photos on Mac, etc, just download it to try and share it\!

## How to create a text file on Mac with TextEdit?

For Mac users,[TextEdit](https://iboysoft.com/wiki/what-is-textedit-on-mac.html)is a free word\-processing app. It is simple to use and comes pre\-installed on all Mac computers. It provides most of the main functions you'll need and is easy enough for beginners to use right away. Follow the steps below to create a plain text file on Mac with TextEdit:

1. Find TextEdit from *Dock* , *Launchpad* , or *Finder \> Applications \> Utilities* .
2. Double\-click *TextEdit* to open it.
3. On the pop\-up windows, click the *New Documents* button.
4. The default format is *rich* text, you should click *Format* and choose *Make Plain Text.* ![make plain text](https://iboysoft.com/images/en-howto/how-to-create-a-txt-file-on-mac/make-plain-text.png) Or, click *TextEdit* and choose *Settings* , select the *New Document* tab, and tick *Plain text* under *Format* to set it as the default format. ![set plain text for new documents](https://iboysoft.com/images/en-howto/how-to-create-a-txt-file-on-mac/set-plain-text-for-new-documents.png)
5. To save the .txt file, click *File \> Save* . Name the document and save a location, then click *Save* .

## How to create a text file on Mac via Terminal?

Alternatively, through the command\-line interface \-[Terminal](https://iboysoft.com/wiki/mac-terminal.html), you can**create a new text file on Mac**at any location. You should be careful when running Terminal commands below to create a plain text file on Mac.

[How to Create A File in Mac Terminal and Edit it? \(Text/Python/Bin\)](https://iboysoft.com/howto/mac-terminal-create-file.html)

This guide explains how to create any file in Mac Terminal and manage it. If you want to create, edit, open, or write to a Text file in macOS Terminal, give it a look.

Steps to create a text file with Mac Terminal:

1. Launch *Terminal* from *Finder \> Applications \> Utilities* .
2. Type the command below to head to the directory where you want to create a .txt file from Terminal: cd ~/directory For example, enter the command below to navigate to Desktop: cd ~/desktop Or, you can type "cd" and leave a space, then drag\-drop the target folder to the Terminal window to **create a.txt file in a folder on Mac** .
3. Then, enter the following command to create a text file, replace the file\_name with your file name: touch file\_name.txt

![create new txt file terminal](https://iboysoft.com/images/en-howto/how-to-create-a-txt-file-on-mac/create-new-txt-file-terminal.jpeg)

## How to create a text file on Mac using Automator?

There is another macOS pre\-installed application that can generate.txt files on your Mac \-[Automator](https://iboysoft.com/wiki/automator-mac.html). You can create a quick action in Automator; the quick action will be added to Finder, Touch Bar, and the Services menu, and is available from the context menu. The procedure is a little complicated, let's dive into it now.

1. Open the Automator app on your Mac, and choose to create a new *Quick Action* .
2. Use the *Search* box to search for AppleScript and drag\-and\-drop the *Run AppleScript* action into the workflow on the right side. ![use automator to create a txt file on mac](https://iboysoft.com/images/en-howto/how-to-create-a-txt-file-on-mac/use-automator-to-create-a-txt-file-on-mac.jpeg)
3. Add the following AppleScript text: tell application "Finder" to make new file at \(the target of the front window\) as alias
4. Save the *Quick Action* with a name such as *Create New Text File* .
5. Head to the Finder, navigate to a folder or directory where you want to create the new TXT file, and click *Finder \> Services* , then choose *Create New Text File* . ![create txt files with automator](https://iboysoft.com/images/en-howto/how-to-create-a-txt-file-on-mac/create-txt-files-with-automator.jpeg)

If you have created.txt files on Mac with the methods above, share this post to help others\!

## Bonus tip: how to open a.txt file on Mac?

If you get a TXT file on Mac, you may want to know**how to open a text file on Mac**, there are multiple ways you can choose from:

- *Method 1.* Double\-click the .txt file, it will be automatically opened in TextEdit.
- *Method 2.* Right\-click the text file, and choose *Open With \> TextEdit* .
- *Method 3.* Launch TextEdit, on the prompt window, choose the target TXT file and click *Open* , or from the toolbar of TextEdit, click *File \> Open* .
- *Method 4.* If you have installed iBoysoft MagicMenu, you can right\-click the text file and choose *Launch With* \> TextEdit.

### Conclusion

After reading this post, you will learn 4 ways to**create text\(TXT\) files on Mac**, three of which use macOS built\-in applications. If you want to create a text file on Mac quickly and easily, using third\-party software, iBoysoft MagicMenu is the best solution, which saves time and effort\!