Use right click to create new text documents?

Hello,

As some of you may know i'm a new mac user after years of being a windows user. Well my question is quite simple really.

I do website development among other things, but one thing i always did in windows was go to a project folder>>right click>> and then create a new blank .txt file. So i can just rename it, and add project information or passwords to it.

I can't seem to figure out how to accomplish the same on leopard. Do i really need to open textedit everytime i want to create a text file? It becomes a hassle to me to have to open the program, and then choose the location i want to save the text file in.

I mean if i already have the destination folder open, it bothers me that i need to navigate and find it again to save from textedit.

Anyone have any ideas that might make it easier for me to create new blank text documents while in a folder?

Thank you in advance.

damainman said:

Hello,

As some of you may know i'm a new mac user after years of being a windows user. Well my question is quite simple really.

I do website development among other things, but one thing i always did in windows was go to a project folder>>right click>> and then create a new blank .txt file. So i can just rename it, and add project information or passwords to it.

I can't seem to figure out how to accomplish the same on leopard. Do i really need to open textedit everytime i want to create a text file? It becomes a hassle to me to have to open the program, and then choose the location i want to save the text file in.

I mean if i already have the destination folder open, it bothers me that i need to navigate and find it again to save from textedit.

Anyone have any ideas that might make it easier for me to create new blank text documents while in a folder?

Thank you in advance.

Click to expand...

I achieved something like you are after using OpenMenu X. It's been priceless for me and don't really know if Leopard or Tiger can do the same. Maybe it can or maybe it can't ... OpenMenu X is Leopard friendly.

I added TextEdit to my contextual menu using OM X and now I can right-click and invoke a new TextEdit doc. Problem is I haven't figured out how to do this within a folder ... but after the doc has been created you can save it wherever you like .... just navigate using the Save command, to the destination folder of your choice. I realise this isn't perfect but want to share it anyway.



You'll notice that TextEdit has an arrow to the right of it. That arrow points to all the associated stuff that's part of the app but you don't need to go into that part .... all that's needed is to scroll down to TextEdit and click and a text file will open.

I used to do similar on PC with a prog called filenote by moon software I think, I haven't found a prog that is similar for mac... There are programs tho that might accomplish what you are wanting I think.... Sidenote http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/26317 but I don't know if it will work with leopard. This page has lots of progs for switchers http://flernk.blogspot.com/2006/07/guide-to-os-x-software-for-switchers.html and there are quite a few sticky programs for mac...

Spawn__Dooley;529302 said:

I achieved something like you are after using OpenMenu X. It's been priceless for me and don't really know if Leopard or Tiger can do the same. Maybe it can or maybe it can't ... OpenMenu X is Leopard friendly.

I added TextEdit to my contextual menu using OM X and now I can right-click and invoke a new TextEdit doc. Problem is I haven't figured out how to do this within a folder ... but after the doc has been created you can save it wherever you like .... just navigate using the Save command, to the destination folder of your choice. I realise this isn't perfect but want to share it anyway.

You'll notice that TextEdit has an arrow to the right of it. That arrow points to all the associated stuff that's part of the app but you don't need to go into that part .... all that's needed is to scroll down to TextEdit and click and a text file will open.

Click to expand...

Thanks for that. I use to use Unsanity's Fruitmenu to expand the contextual menu, but they are dragging their feet on getting it updated for 10.5. This will work nicely until they do.

try NuFile:
http://growlichat.com/NuFile.php

It is very configurable. Can even automatically launch an editor when you create a file. Also can prefil the file from templates you set up (such as html skeletons, etc).

what about using the in-built 'Stickies' app that comes with Leopard. Drag it to the dock and then whenever you need to make quick notes, click it...

make a workflow using Automator and save it as a finder plugin.

Done!

^^
This Automator thing seems pretty cool, but I couldn't figure out how to make it create text files in the current folder upon right-click and select an option from the menu. The closest I could come was designating a predefined folder. Is there a way to make this thing work with the current folder?

giulio said:

try NuFile:
http://growlichat.com/NuFile.php

It is very configurable. Can even automatically launch an editor when you create a file. Also can prefil the file from templates you set up (such as html skeletons, etc).

Click to expand...

Thank all of you for your replies.

1. Does the above work for leopard?

2. The reason i can't use the stickies is because the most of the folders are on an external drive, and the information i put is important. I need to be able to take the drive, put it on another computer and have the information there.

3. It really really sucks that it's hard to complete such a simple task.

How do i create .css files? I tried using textedit but it doesn't allow me to save files as any type.. says it has to be saved with a certain extension.

In windows all i did was Rightclick>>New .txt file>> and from there i can change the extension to .html, .css, .anything >> open it, add my info and close it.

As far as the automator goes, I'm new to mac so not really sure how to use it. But i'm on a tight deadline for a website and this one simple function to rightclick, is causing me to waste alot of time.

baggss said:

Thanks for that. I use to use Unsanity's Fruitmenu to expand the contextual menu, but they are dragging their feet on getting it updated for 10.5. This will work nicely until they do.

Click to expand...

I love OMX .... it comes in so handy for clearing up desktop clutter and believe me, I'm a clearin' up as I type ....

I've added a few URLs and to be able to right-click and select one and see Safari launch right to the page I want is great ... I don't own many 3rd party apps/sys prefs but this was one I jumped at pretty much straight away ....

jorgesoares said:

I found a solution to this problem that works on all version of Mac OS X, its as easy as 2 mouse clicks. It uses a folder with templates for new files and it provides a list to choose from when creating a new file. This is very handy cause you can customize your own templates, especially if your doing web work and need certain templates for specific work.
Check it out here
Create a new file on Mac OS X with two mouse clicks. | Liciniosoares.com

Click to expand...

+1 rep for you, jorge. You do realize though, that you're replying to a thread from '07? ;P