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My notepad software doesn’t allow me to change the extension to html. what can i do?

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Feb 24.2015

Hi! This is my first post.

I am starting out from scratch learning html and am using a downloaded handbook from CUNY.

It says to use notepad so that the autoformatting features of more advanced text editors don’t come into play. But I find that having created a notepad file, with the .txt extension, the software for my computer, an HP Pavilion, which I like very much, doesn’t allow me to change the extension to html so my browser just displays the text in the .txt extension file as is, no conversion to the webpage content.

I have tried a number of things but to no avail as yet. Perhaps I’m missing something. Any suggestions?

Thanks.

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7 Comments(s) ↴

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@Kevin2Feb 24.2015 — NotePad is a barely adequate text (*.txt) editor. It fails miserably for editing HTML or other code. Many use Notepad++ (free). I use Bowpad, but that's personal preference. Search for "code editor" and play with several until you find one you like. All will allow you to save to whatever extension you need -- .htm, .html, .js, .php, .css, etc.

[EDIT] A place to start: http://www.snapfiles.com/freeware/productivity/fwtext.html
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@PixeljamFeb 24.2015 — I've had this problem with TextEdit on the Mac. I don't have an answer for you on why but you could always download a free text editor and turn off the advanced features so it's really basic.

This might be something to consider while learning because something a bit more powerful will include line numbers to help you keep track of your code. Also, as you advance you can implement some useful features, like error altering if something is incorrect in your syntax. I recommend Komodo Edit, when I started learning code this is what I used. Feel free to search around for some others.

I know it's not the answer but some food for thought. Hope this helps and doesn't further confuse you!
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@Sup3rkirbyFeb 24.2015 — When saving webpages with Notepad you need to select the '[B]Save As...[/B]' option in the '[B]File[/B]' menu. Once the [I]Save As[/I] dialog window shows up you need to change the '[B]Save as type[/B]' (found near the bottom of this window) from '[B][I]Text Documents (*.txt)[/I][/B]' to '[B][I]All Files (*.*)[/I][/B]'. Then give your file a name like '[I]webpage.html[/I]' and click '[B]Save[/B]'.

I myself started out using Notepad and I would kind of have to agree with the writers of your book. For where I'm at now using Notepad would be miserable, but when you are just starting out it tends to be a lot easier to have no forced formatting of any kind. Once you become more familiar and comfortable with the language you are learning I would definite pick up an editor like [B]Kevin2[/B] mentioned above, but for now you'll do just fine with Notepad.
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@rootFeb 24.2015 — You could download Notepad++ which is an editor that is lots more flexable, you can turn off syntax highlighting but generally thats a helpful tool that should be used when possible, so whoever told you to not use an editor with syntax highlighting is talking out their butt hole.

Google Notepad++ and grab a copy.


As for your file issue, all you would need to do is save a copy but name it with the .html extension. Its that simple. Your alternative would be to physically rename the file in the folder you save the .txt file ot when notepad is not running.
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@Kevin2Feb 24.2015 — @Sup3rkirby: We'll agree to disagree ?, but I find NotePad absolutely painful to work with.

One other thought to the OP and following on to .'s last sentence. If you have Windows Explorer (NOT Internet Explorer!) set up to show file extensions you can change .txt to .htm or whatever. Windows will yell at you with a message about the file possibly becoming unusable or unstable. Ignore the message by clicking OK. You can then right-click on the file and select "Open with" or "Edit with" or similar to open the code in the editor of your choice.
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@Sup3rkirbyFeb 24.2015 — @[B]Kevin2[/B]: I'm not disagreeing that Notepad is painful and awful to use. But speaking from experience I know that using it initially, before any real knowledge of HTML or any programming, Notepad is easy to work with. Once you start to get a grasp on any language it becomes harder to work with something as simple as Notepad, and so an upgrade (to Notepad++ or any other code editor) will be welcomed.
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@Kevin2Feb 24.2015 — something a bit more powerful will include line numbers to help you keep track of your code[/QUOTE]

Great point! When validating or even checking via F12 in a browser, the line number of the error is spit out. Being able to quickly go to that line is one major benefit of using a code editor.
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