How do I change the file extension with TextEdit on osx?

Question

I am teaching Python to the people I work with, and we are all mac users. I would like to be able to create files like hello.py or data.csv.

However, I do not see an option in TextEdit to save as a "plain text no-frills no-formatting non-rtf" file. When I select RTF but try to save with a .py or .csv extension, TextEdit will no do so.

Is there another text editor that comes with osx that I can use? Or, is there a way to coerce TextEdit to behave like Windows Notepad (when it comes to file extensions, etc?)

score 12 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 24 '12 at 04:20

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TextEdit has separate plain text and rich text modes. You'll have to select Format > Make Plain Text or set the default format to plain text first.

answered Apr 24 '12 at 04:20

Lri

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wow. I totally missed this. Thank you so much! – rascher Apr 24 '12 at 17:55

score 0 · Answer 2 · edited Jul 27 '16 at 12:16

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You can use the toggle command Shift + Command + T. This will turn rich text to plain text. Or plain text to rich text depending on which mode you are using currently. Another user has given the answer, I wanted to add the shortcut keys.

edited Jul 27 '16 at 12:16

Nathan.Eilisha Shiraini

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answered Jul 27 '16 at 08:05

Clint

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How do I change the file extension with TextEdit on osx?

2 Answers2