Few things are more frustrating than trying to edit HTML using a “default” text editor like Notepad.exe (Windows) or TextEdit (Mac). Code-style HTML Editors offer a number of benefits that make the job much easiers. Be on the lookout for features like:
- Syntax highlighting
- Code folding
- Auto-completion
I make no secret of my use of Bluefish editor. From those who gave us OpenOffice, this editor will work on Windows, Mac, or Linux. It provides all of the features that I need and performs well. It is free to download and was a quick tool to get up and running. I would definitely recommend it.
Below I include some other options that are available. As you can see, there are an endless set of possibilities. Some I have used; others are merely suggestions that looked like good, currently-supported options.
For users who are tied to the Windows platform, I’ve used Notepad++ in the past. It is a good option with a number of plug-ins (in addition to being an HTML-compliant editor).
If you want to stay with the Mac, you can go with either CotEditor or Textmate.
Some other cross-platform options include:
If you prefer an on-line tool, there are options that can meet that desire as well:
There are plenty of options for editing HTML (and HTML-related files) regardless of what operating system you use. With some basic understanding and a little work, you can view and edit the code behind you website.
