Editing HTML files in plain text

In order to edit HTML files in "native" HTML, you need to find an application that will allow you to edit and save in plain text. Many word processors will automatically interpret HTML files so as to display them like a web browser would, so finding a plain text editor can sometimes be tricky.

For PC users:

Use the application, NotePad, which is one of the accessory programs that comes with Windows. Make sure you save your file as plain text with a .html extension. You can then view the file by opening it with your favorite web browser.

For Mac users:

Option 1: You can download for free a plain text editor called TextWrangler at the following URL: http://www.barebones.com/products/textwrangler/download.html.

This program is a newer version of my favorite text editor (it used to be called BBEdit Lite). You can type your HTML into the editor window and save it as a file with a .html extension. You should be able to see the HTML when you open it in TextWrangler, and see the web page when you open it in a browser.

Option 2: Use the TextEdit program that comes with the Mac. To make this work you need to do the following:

• go to the Preferences menu (under the "TextEdit" menu on the menu bar).
• Click on the "New Document" tab and make sure the "Plain Text" button is selected under "Format"
• Click on the "Open and Save" tab and make sure to check the box next to "Ignore rich text commands in HTML files" under the heading "When opening a file"