What is HTML Editor?
An HTML editor is a computer program for editing HTML, the markup of a webpage. Although the HTML markup of a web page can be written with any text editor, specialized HTML editors can offer convenience and added functionality.
For example, many HTML editors handle not only HTML, but also related technologies such as CSS, XML and JavaScript or ECMAScript. In some cases they also manage communication with remote web servers via FTP and WebDAV, and version control systems such as Subversion or Git.
Many word processing, graphic design and page layout programs that are not dedicated to web design, such as Microsoft Word or Quark XPress, also have the ability to function as HTML editors.
Write HTML Using Notepad or TextEdit
HTML can be edited by using professional HTML editors like:
- Microsoft WebMatrix
- Sublime Text
However, for learning HTML we recommend a text editor like Notepad (PC) or TextEdit (Mac).
We believe using a simple text editor is a good way to learn HTML.
Follow the 4 steps below to create your first web page with Notepad.
Step 1: Open Notepad (PC)
Open Notepad in Windows 8 or later:
Open the Start Screen (the window symbol at the bottom left on your screen). Type Notepad.
Open Notepad in Windows 7 or earlier:
Click Start (bottom left on your screen). Click All Programs. Click Accessories. Click Notepad.
Step 1: Open TextEdit (Mac)
Open TextEdit.
Please be sure that the text editor is set to plain text. Go to: Preferences > New Document > select plain text.
Also make sure both "Display html file as html code" and "Display RTF file as RTF code" options are checked under "Open and Save".
Then open a new document to place the code.
Step 2: Write Some HTML
Write or copy some HTML into Notepad.
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<body>
<h1>My First Heading</h1>
<p>My first paragraph.</p>
</body>
</html>
Step 3: Save the HTML Page
Save the file on your computer.
Select File > Save as in the Notepad menu.
Name the file "index.html" or any other name ending with html or htm.
UTF-8 is the preferred encoding for HTML files.
ANSI encoding covers US and Western European characters only.
You can use either .htm or .html as file extension. There is no difference, it is up to you.
Step 4: View HTML Page in Your Browser
Open the saved HTML file in your favorite browser. The result will look much like this:
To open a file in a browser, double click on the file, or right-click, and choose open with.