Why Did My Text Documents Change to HTML Format?

Your computer may change your text file extensions to html when you install a new program.

If you've recently noticed all of your text files have suddenly acquired the HTML file extension and no longer work with your normal word processing software, it's a relatively easy problem to fix but the cause can come from a number of different sources. Installing new programs, changing the preferred method of opening text files or adware may be the culprit.

You Installed a Web Design Program

The most reason that a text file, which is usually .txt, .doc, .docx or .odt for Windows, changes into an HTML file is because you have installed a new program that deals mainly with HTML files. This will most commonly occur when you install web design or website building software such as Adobe Dreamweaver. When you are installing your web design or website building software, make sure you don't check a box that offers to change your text files into HTML files to avoid this in the future.

You Changed the Default Method for Opening Text Files

It's very easy to accidentally change what program opens any particular type of file. If you right click your text file, you'll see an option that says "Open With." When you click "Open With" you'll be presented with a list of programs that can be used to open that file. If you've changed it to a browser such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome or to any type of web building software, it will now open as HTML.

You Installed a Program with Spyware

Though not very common, some browser add-ons such as search helpers may change your text files so they now open as HTML pages. The easiest way to avoid this is to read all the documentation that accompanies whatever you are installing. Spyware isn't always malicious but will often install with whatever browser features you are planning to use. Read the install notes carefully before pressing "Next" to avoid this.

You Had a Free Trial Expire

Most computers ship with pre-installed word processing software of some kind. For Windows users, this is usually MS Word/Office. When your initial 90- or 60-day trial period is over, your text file extensions may change to open with a different word processing program. Typically they will stay as MS Word compatible but not let you open them; however, on rare occasions, they may default to open with your internet browser instead which changes them to HTML.

Solution

The easiest solution is to right click on the text file, then click "Open With." When you are presented with a variety of programs to use, choose your preferred word processing program. On a Windows PC, this will typically be MS Office, OpenOffice, MS Works or Notepad.

If your text fiels still revert to HTML with each computer restart, you will have to find the program responsible, which will most likely be a web design program, and check with its support page.

References

• File Info: Changing File Extensions
• Text Fixer: Convert Text to HTML
• Microsoft Support: Rename Multiple Files

Resources

• Saugus: Glossary of Computer File Extensions