Difference Between HTML & Plain Text

HTML is Hypertext Markup Language, the language of the World Wide Web. Plain text is regular text that uses standard ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) characters found on a typical computer keyboard. It has no special character formatting---no bold, italics or underline---and no special display formatting such as double spacing.

HTML is Text

HTML uses the same ASCII characters as plain text does. However, HTML incorporates codes in triangle brackets (< >) that software programs, such as web browsers, recognize and translate into formatted text and layouts.

Email Messages

Depending on the program, email software is able to read messages in plain text, HTML, or both. If the email software recognizes HTML, then the reader can view messages augmented with formatted text, photos and special layouts such as multiple columns in an electronic newsletter.

Fonts

Plain text does not dictate a font to the computer. The computer will use the default font of the software program that is viewing the text, while HTML code can use the <FONT> tag to specify what font the text appears in.

Graphics

Plain text has no graphics; it is just letters and symbols from the keyboard. HTML can include graphics because of the <IMG> tag, which pulls in images from files on the Internet or from files attached to an email message.

Hyperlinks

Plain text can include a web address starting with the http:// prefix, since it consists of standard keyboard characters. However, only HTML can make the address an "active link" by using an <A> tag, which allows a web page to open when the viewer clicks on the address.

References

• HTML and Plain Text Tips
• HTML and Plain Text in Email
• ASCII Character Table

Resources

• ASCII Codes
• HTML Codes for ASCII Characters and Symbols
• Electronic Newsletters: Plain Text vs. HTML