A Case For Plaintext Data

Have you ever tried to open a file, only to find out you need some special software just to read it? Or maybe you’ve gone back to an old backup, only to discover that the file format isn’t supported anymore and you can’t open it at all. That’s exactly the kind of problem I try to avoid. So whenever I have a choice, I stick with plain text formats, like .txt files, CSVs, or JSON. These are files you can open with any basic tool that comes with your computer, like TextEdit on macOS, Notepad on Windows, Vim on a terminal, or even a web browser. No fancy software needed, just simple, readable content.

Plain text files don’t rely on special programs. If something goes wrong or you’re using a different computer, you can still open the file and see what’s inside. That can be a huge help when you're trying to troubleshoot a problem or work across different setups. Technology changes quickly, and a lot of older files are now stuck in formats no one can open anymore. But plain text still works, even decades later. That means your backups are future-proof.

And when something breaks, you can usually just open the file, spot the problem, and fix it yourself. No need to reinstall anything or wait for some app to load. Saving settings or notes in plain text makes things much easier. Plus, plain text files are easy to share. You can send them by email, text, or chat, and they’ll just work, whether someone’s on Mac, Windows, or Linux. Tools like Git also work great with plain text, letting you track changes over time and easily undo mistakes.

One huge benefit of plain text files is that they are lightweight. They don’t take up much space, they run offline, and they’re quick to open and read. They’re clean, easy to scan, and often more efficient than more complicated formats. They don’t slow your computer down either, and you can load them in new devices as well as 10 year old gear with a fraction of the power.

Frankly, it’s a simple choice that saves time, stress, and future headaches. Plain text is clear, dependable, and under my control. My data stays with me, not locked inside someone else’s app.