Text files

A data file that contains only characters conforming to the ASCII standard is called a text file (though this term also applies to platform-specific alternatives such as EBCDIC).

A text file is often used as a simple data format for transfer of information between systems and application software. Many word processors, for instance, have an option such as 'Save as Text' or 'Export ASCII'.

Data exchange formats that rest upon the ASCII format include CSV, RTF and PostScript, amongst many others. Significantly, this also includes XML. Text editor applications are designed to work with text files, allowing them to be created, viewed, edited and printed. A simple text editor is therefore a suitable tool for editing XML documents (provided that interactive validation is not required).