How to Use Notepad for Coding (HTML, CSS, JS)

Posted on by Notepad user
How to Use Notepad for Coding (HTML, CSS, JS)

Introduction

Notepad may look like a very basic app, but it is actually powerful enough to help you write and test code. Many programmers start their coding journey by using Notepad, especially when learning HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It is lightweight, distraction-free, and available on every Windows computer by default.

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In this guide, we will explain step by step how to use Notepad for coding and create simple web projects using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Why Use Notepad for Coding?

Notepad does not have advanced features like auto-complete or debugging, but it still offers some benefits:

  • Free and built-in: Comes with all Windows versions.
  • Lightweight: Loads quickly, no extra setup required.
  • Plain text editor: Saves clean code without hidden formatting.
  • Good for beginners: Teaches the basics of writing code manually.

👉 Once you become advanced, you can shift to IDEs (VS Code, Sublime, Atom), but Notepad is perfect for learning

Step 1: Open Notepad

  • Click on Start Menu or press the Windows key.
  • Type Notepad and open it.
  • A blank window will appear where you can write your code.

Step 2: Write Your First HTML Code

HTML is the backbone of every website. Let’s create a simple webpage.

Example HTML Code:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <title>My First Web Page</title>
</head>
<body>
    <h1>Hello, World!</h1>
    <p>This is my first web page created using Notepad.</p>
</body>
</html>

Save the File:

  1. Go to File → Save As.
  2. In “Save as type”, choose All Files.
  3. Type the file name as index.html.
  4. Click Save.

👉 Double-click the file, and it will open in your browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, etc.).

Step 3: Add CSS for Styling

Now, let’s make the webpage look better using CSS.

Example CSS Code (inside a separate file):

body {
    background-color: #f4f4f4;
    font-family: Arial, sans-serif;
    text-align: center;
}

h1 {
    color: darkblue;
}

p {
    font-size: 18px;
    color: #333;
}

Save the File:

  1. Save it as style.css.
  2. Place it in the same folder as index.html.

Link CSS to HTML:

In your HTML file’s <head> section, add:

<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="style.css">

👉 Now reload your index.html in the browser, and your page will look styled.

Step 4: Add JavaScript for Interactivity

JavaScript makes your website interactive. Let’s add a simple script.

Example JavaScript Code (inside a separate file):

function showMessage() {
    alert("Hello! You just clicked the button.");
}

Save the File:

  1. Save it as script.js.
  2. Place it in the same folder as your other files.

Link JavaScript to HTML:

Before the closing </body> tag in your HTML file, add:

<button onclick="showMessage()">Click Me</button>
<script src="script.js"></script>

👉 Now open your page in the browser and click the button. A popup will appear! 🎉

Step 5: Organizing Your Project Folder

To keep your files neat, create a project folder like this:

MyWebsite/
   index.html
   style.css
   script.js

👉 Always save related files in the same folder for easy linking.

Step 6: Using Notepad Features for Coding

Although Notepad is simple, these features help coding:

  • Word Wrap (Format → Word Wrap): Makes code easier to read.
  • Change Font (Format → Font): Use monospaced fonts like Consolas or Courier New.
  • Find & Replace (Ctrl + H): Quickly fix repeated words or tags.
  • Line Numbers (Windows 11): Helps track your code location.

Step 7: Common Mistakes Beginners Make

  1. Forgetting to save files with the correct extension (.html, .css, .js).
  2. Saving files as .txt instead of All Files.
  3. Placing files in different folders and breaking links.
  4. Forgetting to refresh the browser after saving changes.

Step 8: Limitations of Using Notepad for Coding

  • No syntax highlighting (everything looks the same).
  • No auto-complete or error detection.
  • Difficult to manage large projects.

👉 That’s why many developers shift to editors like VS Code, but for learning, Notepad keeps you focused on the fundamentals.

Step 9: When to Use Notepad for Coding

  • Learning the basics of HTML, CSS, JS.
  • Quick testing of code snippets.
  • Editing small configuration files.
  • Practicing manual coding skills.

Conclusion

Notepad may not be a professional coding editor, but it is one of the best tools for beginners to start coding. By writing HTML, CSS, and JavaScript manually, you learn the core concepts of web development without relying on auto-complete or advanced tools.

If you follow the steps in this guide, you can build a basic website using just Notepad and a browser. Once you feel confident, you can move on to advanced editors and frameworks.

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