Does Windows XP Professional have a file viewer?

[Anthony B]

I recently downloaded an ascii text file from the Internet and need a file
viewer to look at the text in the file. I don't know if Windows XP has a
file viewer as part of its accessories package. Can I open this file with a
Windows Accessory program, or will I have to purchase a proprietary file
viewer such as Quick View Plus? Any help will be appreciated.

 

[Big Al]

I recently downloaded an ascii text file from the Internet and need a file
viewer to look at the text in the file. I don't know if Windows XP has a
file viewer as part of its accessories package. Can I open this file with a
Windows Accessory program, or will I have to purchase a proprietary file
viewer such as Quick View Plus? Any help will be appreciated.

..txt files can be read with notepad or wordpad. Both built into windows.
If you have not messed around with settings, windows defaults to notepad
for .txt files out of the box.

 

[Anthony B]

.txt files can be read with notepad or wordpad. Both built into windows.
If you have not messed around with settings, windows defaults to notepad
for .txt files out of the box.

I opened the file with both Notepad and Wordpad, but the text does not
format properly, and I have to scroll a great distance horizontally to read
the file. This makes it very difficult to read the text. When I open the
file with Microsoft Word, the text is properly formatted inside the window,
but I don't wand to inadvertently edit the file as I read it. Can Notepad
and Wordpad properly format the text so that I do not have to scroll
horizontally?

 

[Anthony B]

you should have no problem opening it using notepad or wordpad

 

[philo]

I recently downloaded an ascii text file from the Internet and need a file
viewer to look at the text in the file. I don't know if Windows XP has a
file viewer as part of its accessories package. Can I open this file with a
Windows Accessory program, or will I have to purchase a proprietary file
viewer such as Quick View Plus? Any help will be appreciated.

you should have no problem opening it using notepad or wordpad

 

[Ron Rosenfeld]

I opened the file with both Notepad and Wordpad, but the text does not
format properly, and I have to scroll a great distance horizontally to read
the file. This makes it very difficult to read the text. When I open the
file with Microsoft Word, the text is properly formatted inside the window,
but I don't wand to inadvertently edit the file as I read it. Can Notepad
and Wordpad properly format the text so that I do not have to scroll
horizontally?

Do you have wordwrap turned on in Wordpad or Notepad?
--ron

 

[philo]

I opened the file with both Notepad and Wordpad, but the text does not
format properly, and I have to scroll a great distance horizontally to read
the file. This makes it very difficult to read the text. When I open the
file with Microsoft Word, the text is properly formatted inside the window,
but I don't wand to inadvertently edit the file as I read it. Can Notepad
and Wordpad properly format the text so that I do not have to scroll
horizontally?

Just use Word if that's what works best.
If you are worried about possibly changing the contents...
change thr attiributes of the file to read only.

Also...what the heck...make a copy of it and store it in another folder

 

[Bill in Co.]

you should have no problem opening it using notepad or wordpad

IF he turns on word wrap.

 

[Daave]

Just use Word if that's what works best.

Something tells me that the "ascii text file" described by OP is
actually a Word .doc file.

If you are worried about possibly changing the contents...
change thr attiributes of the file to read only.

Also...what the heck...make a copy of it and store it in another
folder

All very good suggestions.

 

[Anthony B]

Do you have wordwrap turned on in Wordpad or Notepad?
--ron

Ron:

Many thanks for your suggestion to turn on wordwrap. This solved the
mystery. I did not know that wordwrap could be turned on and off in Notepad
and Wordpad. I have to admit that I didn't read the documentation for these
software utilities. It's great to be able to solve a problem in a newsgroup!

 

[Anthony B]

IF he turns on word wrap.

Thanks Bill. I turned on wordwrap and that solved the mystery. I didn't know
that wordwrap could be turned on and off in NotePad and WordPad. We learn as
we go along.

 

[Ron Rosenfeld]

Ron:

Many thanks for your suggestion to turn on wordwrap. This solved the
mystery. I did not know that wordwrap could be turned on and off in Notepad
and Wordpad. I have to admit that I didn't read the documentation for these
software utilities. It's great to be able to solve a problem in a newsgroup!

You're most welcome. I'm glad that problem was easy to solve.
--ron

 

[Anthony B]

Just use Word if that's what works best.
If you are worried about possibly changing the contents...
change thr attiributes of the file to read only.

Also...what the heck...make a copy of it and store it in another folder

I changed the attributes of the file to "read only" and then I opened the
file with NotePad and WordPad. These two utilities are file editors. When
you open a file with either NotePad or WordPad, the file can still be edited
in the program even though the file has been set to "read only." If you
want to be certain that the file cannot be edited, I believe that you have
to use a file viewer instead of a file editor such as NotePad or WordPad.

 

[John G]

I changed the attributes of the file to "read only" and then I opened the
file with NotePad and WordPad. These two utilities are file editors. When
you open a file with either NotePad or WordPad, the file can still be
edited in the program even though the file has been set to "read only."
If you want to be certain that the file cannot be edited, I believe that
you have to use a file viewer instead of a file editor such as NotePad or
WordPad.

Any, Most, All, File editors require you to save after editing or the
changes you make will be lost on closing.
If the file is read only then you will get a warning if you try to save to
that file name.
Just for info..
Most Data Base (Access, Filemaker etc.) programs save as they go without
asking because that is the way they need to work but if the file is read
only the program will either not like it from the start or refuse to
continue once you make an entry.

John G.