For ASCII charts, see Text Utils - 2. For screen rulers, see the Screen & Video page.

Brief comparative comments on a few text editors listed on these two pages.

"User-friendly" editors: Multi-Edit Lite (older, handles large files, mult. document interface, mouse compatible, multiple undo, text drag/drop; quirky directory browser); NE and EditV also possess familiar mult. document ("Borland") interfaces but handle smaller (<64K) files; NE includes English spell checker, EditV has right button popup menus); PEDIT (familiar MS-DOS EDIT interface, Win9x LFN and clipboard [copy to] support, English speller and thesaurus; loads entire files no larger than avail. conv. memory, single file editing only).

"Friendly" editors with some horsepower: SETEDIT — FTE — FED — CONNECT shell's integrated editor. All load mult. files, mouse/pulldown menus, support Win9x LFNs, handle big files, many advanced functions, intended mainly for programmers but have relatively gentle learning curves. SETEDIT — CONNECT — FED — VDE copy to and paste from the MS Windows clipboard.

Others: The most word processor-like editor below is the superb VDE but with limited mouse support, it is not really a mouse user's editor; real mode, handles larger (<600K) files, good macro support. Under all versions of Windows it cuts / copies from, and pastes to, the clipboard. VBX edits text and Hex, draws lines and boxes using any of the ASCII characters, and can call VDE for expanded text editing, printing, and access to the Windows clipboard. SLED is an old but excellent small (17K) editor. Vim,  Elvis,  and JED are excellent power editors with steeper learning curves for the novice (but worth the effort)...and then there is GNU Emacs, which can do just about anything except shrink itself. JASSPA MicroEmacs employs a more GUI-like interface. Esoteric but interesting: SEDT is capable of loading very large files in real mode (default, up to 10MB using disk or EMS); THE can employ "shadowing" (= slicing / folding, e.g., show only lines with matching text), and uses REXX macro scripting.

WIN9X LFN support under Win9x: CONNECT — VDE — PEDIT — VIM (32-bit ver.) — SETEDIT,  FTE — FED — TDE (32-bit ver.) — THE (32-bit ver.) — JED — ZED — Pico — nano — GNU Emacs.

HTML syntax highlighting and/or obvious tagging capabilities: FTE (syntax-highlight, html tag pulldown menu), TDE (s-highlight), FED (s- highlight), Vim (s-highlight), Elvis (html mode display, with local hyperlink navigation), JED (s- highlight, html_mode command bar), ZED (s-highlight), SETEDIT (tag "pseudo-macros", s-highlight), and GNU Emacs (s-highlight / pulldown tag menu), JASSPA MicroEmacs (s-hilight, HTML rendering w/ local hyperlink navigation).

Screenshots (png format) of selected editor interfaces:

VDE — Excellent text editor designed for word processing.

* * * * *

[added 1997, updated 2006-08-21]

"This may be the finest piece of word processing code ever written." – John Dvorak, PC Magazine (April 24 1990).

Few die-hard GUI users will probably be attracted to VDE's editing style – but anyone who's tried it will certainly appreciate the hard work and creativity that's been invested in the development of VDE. It is a very mature and stable product (under development since 1987) that offers many text mode word processing features. It's quite easy to use – but if you rely on a mouse to do all your work (e.g., to "pulldown those menus"), this may not be your program. You can use a mouse for tasks like marking text blocks and cursor positioning. Commands are available as WordStar key shortcuts, which some people love and some people don't, and from a menu bar. Extensive macro capability. Runs under DOS, DOS shells (including DesqVIEW, which it recognizes), and Win3.x/9x/Me/NT/2K/XP. When running under Windows 3.1x/9x, it copies to & pastes from the clipboard. Coded in assembly language, the executable file is remarkably small (80K) for the tasks this program can perform. Includes excellent documentation. Formerly shareware – now freeware (but still copyrighted by the author).

• Multiple file editing with dual windows, cut and paste, compare
• v1.9x + edits larger files (~600K, "Larger files...automatically loaded and saved in multiple segments").
• Handle Win32 LFNs (see docs for specifics).
• Block copy, move, delete, read, write, and zoom
• find and replace (forward, backward, ignore case, all files, etc.)
• Protected mode and multi-level undo to avoid unintended changes
• Keystroke macros with full programming ability
• Commands to split files, count words, number lists automatically
• Full-featured directory browser (tag, edit, import, delete, etc.)
• Access to any DOS command or a full DOS shell
• Variable number of text lines and columns displayable
• Automatic save to disk at intervals
• Programmable function keys and many other user configurable options
• Compatibility with older or limited PCs including laptops, palmtops

• Left and right margins, wordwrap, automatic or manual reformat
• Variable tabs, auto indent, center/flush right, justification
• Print preview to check format and pagebreaks before printing
• Customizable printer drivers for special effects (bold, underline, italic, super/subscript, overstrike, proportional fonts, etc)
• Printing options: headers, pagination, selective print, print to file, single sheet feed, address envelopes
• Multiple file formats for text exchange (DOS, WordStar, WordPerfect, XyWrite, NotaBene, MS Word & more)

If you want more info before you download the full package, on the program, version history, and the author, see About VDE. You can read it now in your browser, from US or UK or India or Australia. Or, download aboutvde.zip (plain text, zipped, 22K) from US or UK or India or Australia.

Author: Eric Meyer (2006).

2006-03-27: v1.94A.

Download vde194a.zip (162K) from US or UK or India or Australia. Also available in the /utiltext directory at Slovak Antivirus Center sites in Slovakia, Poland and Taiwan.

Go to Short.Stop's Mostly VDE Page for other versions of VDE (including the 8088- & Palmtop-friendly 1.65C), add-ons by various authors, and additional related software.

Also see the VBX graphics/hex/text editor, for which VDE does advanced text editing.

More in these pages from Eric Meyer.

WordPerfect Editor — Text & binary editor, based on the WordPerfect word processor.

* * * *

[added 2004-12-17, updated 2005-06-05]

The WordPerfect Editor is a reduced version of WordPerfect 5.1, and was originally part of WordPerfect Office for DOS. Although it edits in plain text and binary modes only, it still has the power of WordPerfect's commands, display and environment setups, templates, macro language, printing, etc. No line-length or file size limits. Runs on any PC.

Author: WordPerfect Corp. (1992). Now owned by Corel.

1992-01-31: v3.1.

Download ed.zip (116K).

For more info and related software, go to the independent site WordPerfect for DOS Updated.

Multi-Edit Lite (MeLite) — Multi-window editor, mouse/menu driven, and edits large files.

* * * * 1/2

[updated 2005-08-22]

Recommended for the Windows/MAC/GUI crowd...

Finding a freeware editor for DOS which is mouse compatible, menu driven, and handles very large files is difficult (there is EDIT that comes packaged with DOS 6.x, but it lacks important features [e.g., undo]). Nearly all the freeware, CUA compliant DOS editors are similar clones derived from the same TFileEditor object included with Borland's Turbo Vision (e.g., NE), and they won't load files bigger than 64K (but see SETEDIT and Connect). A kind reader of these pages has pointed to this "Lite" version of Multi-Edit. The text mode, multiple window interface looks and behaves much like NE but there's much more under the skin:

• Mouse, menu driven, and fast. Shallow learning curve.
• Handles huge files and has multiple undo. Multi-Edit Lite can use XMS/EMS memory.
• Can have 25 files open.
• Includes some word processing features (word wrap, reformat paragraph, right margin, tab settings).
• Implements text drag and drop.
• Supports column, line, and stream text-marking modes.
• Keystroke macros. No internal macro language, but add-on macros are available.
• Performs regular expression text search / replace.
• Can capture command line output to window.
• No nag screens or disabled features; includes excellent online help.
• EXE size: 240K.

Notes: Frustrating quirk – The file listing in the File Open/Load dialog is sorted by the second character of the filename – not the first. Instead of scrolling the list, you can find a file more quickly by typing the first few characters of the filename.

*SHAREWARE STATUS NOTE: Multi-Edit Lite for DOS is shareware. Quote from the docs: "If you like and use Multi-Edit Lite, we request a donation of $40 (or whatever you feel is appropriate)." [our emphasis]. Current Multi-Edit and Multi-Edit Lite for Windows are free for 30-day trial only.

Author: Multi Edit Software, Inc. [formerly American Cybernetics, Inc.] (1994).

1994-03-30: v1.00i.

Download melite.zip (219K).

Multi Edit Software's DOS Macros & Utilities page has a large variety of tools and help files, for MELite and for DOS.

Pedit — MS-DOS EDIT-like editor with added features, Eng. spell checker, thesaurus.

* * * * 1/2

[added 1997-06, updated 2005-04-04]

Overall, Pedit is one of the more versatile yet user-friendly editors listed here. Although a programmer's editor, Pedit's design also incorporates a selection of word processing features (e.g., a spell checker and thesaurus – English only). Superficially similar to MS-DOS's EDIT (pulldown menus, dialogs, mouse compatible), Pedit is vastly superior in most respects. Loads files as large as available conventional memory. EXE size=about 300K. A smaller (100K) version is included which lacks the speller / thesaurus (PEDITLGT).

• A large command list; most commands are only available from keyboard.
• Enhanced file open dialog (e.g., file size toggle, file delete option).
• File usage history list; can save to disk.
• Search and replace text.
• Adjustable word wrap (in line marking mode).
• Simple macro facility, including hard coded macros for commenting code, batch files.
• ASCII, line drawing, and foreign character charts.
• Extremely large files can be partially loaded at defined offset for editing.
• Column and line marking modes (both can be accomplished with the mouse).
• Windows clipboard support (copy to).
• Can call external compilers using batch file.
• Interface and other editor settings adjustable through online dialog.
• Printing capability with adjustable left margin.
• Easy customization, good built-in help, excellent documentation.
• Support for Win95 LFNs.
• Spell check HTML and RTF files.
• Hex editor.
• Pop-up menu when right mouse button is clicked.

• Single file editing.
• Limited undo functionality.
• User's spelling dictionary is limited to 16K.

Author: Paul Brand / Goldshell Digital Media, Inc., Hong Kong (1999).

1999-10-01: v4.00.

Download pedit.zip (330K).

Pedit page.

IE — Mouse and menu driven editor handles large files.

unrated

[updated 1999-04-16]

A menu driven, multi ("split") window editor that handles big files. External directory browser includes some file management commands. The 32-bit main program uses extended memory.

• Edits files in memory; can use all memory on your computer.
• Up to 24 files can be loaded at any time
• Screen can be divided into up to 12 windows
• Each window can display a different file, or different views of the same file.
• Supports all VGA and VESA text video modes.
• Full mouse support in all video modes.
• Screen colours fully configurable. Configurations savable.
• Insert extended characters from pop-up ASCII chart.
• Block marking.
• Bookmarks.
• Directory manager (view, copy, move, rename, etc.)
• Macros.
• On-line hypertext help.
• Shell to DOS.

Notes: Requires 80386+, VGA+. Text search and replace commands available from keys but not pulldown menu. Can't scroll horizontally with mouse.

Package includes secondary 16-bit program, opens maximum four files with total size under 50K, maximum four windows open in a file.

Author: Ian Gay, Canada (1999).

1999-02-07: v1.02.

Download ie102.zip (157K).

Pico (Pine Composer) — Pine emailer's text editor.

unrated

[added 1998-09-13, updated 2005-04-16]

Pico is a familiar friend to users of the Unix Pine email program, developed at the University of Washington (US). A unique yet easy-to-learn editor, it includes mouse support (text selection and command invocation). Navigation commands are not difficult to master – a command menu is always visible at the bottom of the screen.

Pico was not designed to be a full-featured text editor (e.g., single file editing only, no text replace command in this version) but it can be used for simple word processing tasks (automatically wraps text at right margin, paragraph justification command). Can use a spellchecker such as Ispell. Handles large files.

Hints: To select text with mouse, double click to mark start of block and single click at end of block. To see startup options, enter: pico -h

The 32-bit DJGPP port is Win9x LFN compatible, requires 80386+ and a DOS Protected Mode Interface (CWSDPMI or other). Package also includes Pilot, a separate file & directory browser that calls Pico for editing.

A 16-bit DOS port is available in PC-PINE v3.96 packages.

Author: Tim Van Holder (1997).

nano (Nano's ANOther editor) — Open source, enhanced clone of Pico.

unrated

[added 2000-12-14, updated 2005-07-17]

Nano is intended to be a 'compatible but enhanced' clone of Pico. This Win32 console port is based on the Linux original. Some advantages over Pico: GNU autoconf support, truly free license (open source, GNU GPL), goto-line # (no command-line flag needed), case sensitive search, interactive search and replace, regexp s/r support, specify tab width... and more.

Runs under Win9x/NT+ with Internet Explorer and a Linux emulation layer (cygwin1.dll, included). Tested under Win98 and NT, it might or might not work under Win95.

Author: Chris Allegretta et al. (2004). Suggested by Pio Del Real.

2004-06-27: v1.2.4-1.

Download nano-1.2.4.zip (437K).

Online docs: Manual — Command summary — NANORC - configuration guide.

Go to the GNU nano Homepage for more info Get source and older versions, as well as newer versions for Linux & other OSes, at GNU nano downloads.

The editors in this family essentially derive from the same TV programming code and share a user-friendly, text-mode, multiple-window interface with pulldown menus and mouse support. GUI users will likely be attracted to these editors. Most seem to be restricted to handling smaller files (<64K, and line lengths around 250 char max). There are many of these clones floating around – a few unique ones are listed here.

Also see: The similar-looking, but much more powerful, SETEDIT, a programmer's editor with a TV interface, and the Connect shell's impressive TV-style editor.

NE (NO EDLIN) — Editor with multiple windows, mouse support, and a spell checker.

* * * 1/2

[updated 2005-04-10]

NE is a Turbo Vision-derived editor that's a good choice as a simple ASCII word processor or EDIT.COM replacement. Although it can only load files smaller than 64K, it has an undo function and offers numerous text-formatting features. EXE size: 87K + speller, 367K.

• Built-in spell checker (English only) is easy to navigate. Can create and use a custom dictionary.
• Multiple document interface with mouse support and pulldown menus.
• Cut, paste, and undo routines mimic Windows Notepad. Display Clipboard window.
• Can automatically load previously opened files or system files.
• Includes some word processing functions (center or justify text, reflow paragraph or document, set right margin).
• Online help.

• Many word processing functions are keyboard driven (WordStar shortcuts) and not accessible from menus.
• Can only read/write files <64K.
• Spell checker doesn't always update text with corrections (!)
• Can't change directories from the File...Open dialog. Use the File...Change Dir command prior to opening the file list.

NE is also part of the GDSPELL package – get that if you need extra spell-checking power.

Author: G.D. Davis (1995); distributed by GDSoft.

1995-06-01: v3.0b.

Download ne300b.zip (360K).

EditV — Multiple window text editor with mouse support, smaller files.

* * * *

[added 1998-08-16, updated 1999-04-03].

Intended primarily as a programmer's editor but doubles as a simple-to-use general editor. EXE size, 211K; help file size, 130K.

• Unlike similar Borland-derived clones, EditV gives the user an option to list directories first in the directory browser.
• Right mouse button pop-up menu with cut, paste, select all, etc.
• Good window management features, menu list of open files/ windows.
• Saves and displays file-use history.
• Reads UNIX formatted text files
• Contains a program execution dialog (doesn't capture output); save commands for reuse.
• ASCII chart character picker.
• Page setup and print settings dialogs.
• Preferences dialog and color customization; great help file.

• Reads / writes files <64K.
• Lacks some of the word processing features found in NE.

Author: Bob Ferguson, Netherlands (1999). Suggested by Tomas Brunclik.

1999-04-03: v4.1.

More in these pages from Bob Ferguson.

[updated 2005-12-09]

In a software age where bigger is...well, bigger, these size-optimized editors demonstrate just what can be packed into a little bit of computer code. Included here are small editors suitable for emergency disks, computers lacking disk space / memory, or quick, portable text editing. They're also just plain fun to explore. All have unique key commands, quirks, and surprises.

Shareware info:
Terse is shareware, free for individual use.
SLED is now a freeware program – but was originally fee-ware. Most FTP sites still carry the old zip with the shareware documentation. The author later modified the documentation to indicate freeware status, but the new zip (link below) has not been widely distributed.

Also see: VDE, above.

Breeze — DOS Word Processor.

unrated

[added 2003-05-18, updated 2004-06-30]

Breeze is an award winning, easy to learn word processor. Formerly shareware now freeware.

"Features: pop-up hypertext help system,.. text to .EXE converter... multi-windows/files... clipboard,... mail-merge/form letters, scientific calculator... full block operations including column blocks, powerful macro functions... execute other programs and any DOS commands from within the editor..."

Author: Kevin Solway, Australia (1995-98).

1998-06-21: v5.6.

Download breeze56.zip (310K).

Breeze page.

Get more info and other downloads at Solway's Software Page.

PcWord — Word processor with low resource requirements, handles large files.

unrated

[added 2000-07-05, updated 2004-06-30]

From the docs: "A fast, compact, flexible Text-Processor; Uses HyperText functions to facilitate links for Table of Contents and Index, with automatic page numbering."

A feature-rich text mode word processor. Unique help system requires a little study for efficient use. Loads multiple documents. Appears to handle files as large as available conventional memory. Several video modes supported; mouse support. Print drivers included. EXE size=120K, will run on an XT. Under development since late 1980s (?) and formerly distributed as shareware. Part of the talifree.zip package, still available. Hints: ESC toggles menu bar. ALT-S to change settings.

Author: Andrew Sprott / Talisoft Freeware, UK (2000). Suggested by Jon-Egil Korsvold.

1999-04-29: v1.90.

Download Pcword.zip (235K).

Get more info at the PcWord page.

Easy Word — Word processor with a mix of good features and limitations.

unrated

[added 2003-11-01, updated 2005-12-09]

This program has bounced back and forth between being paid shareware and freeware. Looks like it's free (again) as of 2003-11-01. Features:

• Twenty-character document names including spaces
• Page Numbering
• Spell Checker
• Odd and Even page print for double sided printing
• Cut, copy, paste or Move rectangular blocks of text as well as normal cut, copy and paste
• Line Drawing
• Built in Backup
• Macros
• Table entry mode
• Center on Line
• Center on page
• Page preview
• Secure Erase
• Columns
• Screen saver

Major limitation: "This ease of use has been achieved by restricting output to fixed pitch at 10 or 12 characters per inch on A4 or Letter size paper."

Author: Easy Software Ltd., UK (1998).

1998-06-07: v10.4.

Download ew104.zip (748K).

Get more information at the Easy Word page.

MS Word — Free word processor for DOS & OS/2.

unrated

[added 2004-10-10, updated 2005-03-11]

MS Word v5.5 for DOS & OS/2 1.x is free, so here it is, in three languages. Packages include standalone format translators – Word<>DCA, RTF<>DCA, DOS<>Word, & more. The UK English version has the largest selection of printer drivers, for all of its supported code pages.

Author: Microsoft (1991).

[ Go to Top | Front Page ]

©1994-2004, Richard L. Green.
©2004-2006, Short.Stop.