TextPad

Free trial Windows

What TextPad is

TextPad is a professional Windows text editor for large files and multiple documents. It supports editing several files at once, with up to two views per file, drag-and-drop text, and unlimited undo and redo. Search and replace uses Perl-style regular expressions and can scan file sets through directory trees. Search matches and tool output can link to relevant source lines, while a file-comparison utility helps inspect differences. TextPad records keystroke macros and provides customizable tools, including parameter macros. Its spell checker includes dictionaries for 10 languages, and editing commands cover case conversion, transposing words, characters, and lines, and indenting text blocks. The editor handles UTF-8, UTF-16, and 8-bit text with DOS, UNIX, Mac, and mixed line endings. TextPad 9 supports 64-bit Windows 10, 11, and Server 2016–2022 on Intel and ARM64 processors. A free 30-day trial is available before purchase.

Who it suits

TextPad suits Windows users who edit large files, compare files, search directory trees, and work across multiple documents. It is also useful for users who need macros, customizable tools, or multilingual spell checking.

What it does well

Handles multiple documents with two views per file
Regular-expression search across directory trees
Includes file comparison and source-line links
Records keyboard macros and customizable tools
Spell checker includes 10 language dictionaries

What to know first

Windows-only software
Right-to-left scripts are unsupported
Maximum file size depends on contiguous virtual memory
Paid product after the 30-day trial

Verdict

TextPad offers a focused Windows editing environment with extensive search, comparison, macro, and text-format support. Users working with right-to-left scripts or outside Windows will need another option.

Facts from TextPad's own pages

Editing: The feature list includes multi-document editing, drag-and-drop text, and unlimited undo and redo. · textpad.cc, 12 Oct 2026
Editing tools: Editing commands include case conversion, transposing words, characters, and lines, and indenting text blocks. · textpad.com.cn, 12 Oct 2026
File and text support: The specifications state that file size is limited by the largest contiguous virtual-memory block and that UTF-16, UTF-8, and 8-bit text files are supported; right-to-left scripts are not supported. · textpad.com.cn, 12 Oct 2026
File comparison: TextPad includes a file comparison utility and links from search results and user tool output to relevant source lines. · textpad.cc, 12 Oct 2026
File size limit: The specifications say maximum file size is limited by the largest contiguous virtual memory block. · textpad.com.cn, 12 Oct 2026
Macro recording: Yes · oit.va.gov, 21 Sept 2026
Macros: Users can record frequently used command sequences as keyboard macros. · textpad.com.cn, 12 Oct 2026
Macros and tools: The page lists a keystroke macro recorder and customizable tools, including tools with parameter macros. · textpad.cc, 12 Oct 2026
Multi-document editing: It supports editing multiple files at once, with up to two views per file. · textpad.com.cn, 12 Oct 2026
Operating systems: TextPad 9 supports 64-bit Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows Server 2016 through 2022; TextPad 8 supports Windows 7 and later and Server 2008 through 2022. · textpad.com.cn, 12 Oct 2026
Other limits: The specifications list up to 32 tab stops, 64 user-defined tool commands, 64 keyboard macros, and 16 configured scripts for filtering selected text. · textpad.com.cn, 12 Oct 2026
Privacy: The Chinese product page states that TextPad displays no advertisements and does not share usage statistics or data. · textpad.com.cn, 12 Oct 2026
Processor support: TextPad 9 supports Intel and ARM64 processors, while TextPad 8 supports Intel processors. · textpad.com.cn, 12 Oct 2026
Product: TextPad is a general-purpose plain-text editor intended for everyday editing, web editing, and programming. · textpad.com.cn, 12 Oct 2026
Search: TextPad has a search and replace engine that uses Perl-style regular expressions and can search file sets in directory trees. · textpad.cc, 12 Oct 2026
Search and comparison: It includes file search and comparison, with links from matching text to the corresponding source-file line. · textpad.com.cn, 12 Oct 2026
Spell check: The product description lists a spell checker with dictionaries for 10 languages. · textpad.cc, 12 Oct 2026
Spell checking: The built-in spell checker includes dictionaries for 10 languages. · textpad.com.cn, 12 Oct 2026
Support and sales: The site says authorized reseller APSGO provides genuine software sales and technical support. · textpad.com.cn, 12 Oct 2026
Supported platforms: Windows · oit.va.gov, 21 Sept 2026
Text formats: The specifications list UTF-8 and UTF-16 Unicode support, 8-bit text, and DOS, UNIX, Mac, and mixed line endings; right-to-left scripts are not supported. · textpad.com.cn, 12 Oct 2026
Trial: The site offers a free trial before purchase. · textpad.com.cn, 12 Oct 2026
Trial and sales: The reseller page describes TextPad as available to try before buying and says APSGO provides authorized sales and Chinese technical support. · textpad.com.cn, 12 Oct 2026
Windows support: TextPad 9 runs on 64-bit Windows 10 and 11 and Windows Server 2016–2022; TextPad 8 supports Windows 7 and later versions listed on the specifications page. · textpad.com.cn, 12 Oct 2026

Where TextPad stands on Freedom251

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