A format for encoding information in a file.

What is a text file format. OpenDocument Text. Since 1995 more than 100 tech experts and researchers have kept Webopedias definitions articles and study guides up to date. With Microsoft Windows computers text files are identified with the txt file extension as shown in the example picture.

Text is a human-readable sequence of character s and the words they form that can be encoded into computer-readable formats. Plain Text Transcription Formats Plain text formats are the most common and uncomplicated type. Windows and macOS both include simple text editors that can save text documents as TXT files.

A text file is a type of digital non-executable file that contains letters numbers symbols andor a combination. Files that contain the text file extension are commonly used to store standard text document files. TXT stands for TeXT.

They are used to store notes step-by-step instructions manuscripts and other text-based information. Even if another program can open the file it may not have all the features needed to display the document correctly. Comma separated values text files csv in which the comma character typically separates each field of text.

A file format also defines whether the data is stored in a plain text or binary format. A text file is a computer file that only contains text and has no special formatting such as bold text italic text images etc. The term text file is often used as a synonym for ASCII file a file in which characters are represented by their ASCII codes.

It can be opened and edited in any text editor or word processor. Differences between the OpenDocument Text odt format and the Word docx format. Text files are also known as flat files or ASCII files.