Microsoft has developed various software to ease our work in day-to-day life but sometimes we are not aware of the exact functions performed by the particular programs. Like Notepad, WordPad, and Microsoft Word, they may seem to perform similar tasks but they are different in many ways. Most of the users have found their comfort zone in working with one of these software, say MS Word. In this article, we will talk about the right functions to be performed by Notepad, WordPad, and MS word.
Difference between Notepad, WordPad, and Word
Notepad, a text editor, performs relatively fewer functions as compared to WordPad and MS word. On the other hand, WordPad and Word are very close to each other but still distinct in many ways. This post will help you find out which program has to be used and help you simplify your text-related cumbersome activities.
Notepad, A simple text editor
Notepad is a simple text editor and a very basic text-editing application that you can use for simple documents. This program is currently used by hundreds of thousands of people as their primary resort for writing projects.
A NotePad is a simple text editor program, introduced by Microsoft in 1983, which allows users to read and write plain text. It does not offer any formatting and is most suitable when a user requires basic text for programming, creating web pages, or any other purpose. This kind of program is best suited for heavy and huge coding, like HTML. Users can create batch files to run in Command Prompt and scripts to be run in Power Shell.
This application is readily used to create unformatted text, just copy, paste & copy again. It allows users to create and save the document as .txt files only. It contains only fewer formatting option that makes the small size easily portables files.
A text editor does not support images and graphics, therefore documents created in Notepad cannot have images or any graphical text in them. Heavy, highly formatted files cannot be open in the Notepad. It can not be used for word processing, does not provide grammar checks, spelling correction, and other word processing features.
Read: Notepad Tips and Tricks.
WordPad, A basic word processor
WordPad is the basic word processor and text editor that you can use to create documents such as memos, notes, letters, and so on. This application is compatible with almost all Windows versions. It is more advanced than Notepad but simpler than Microsoft Word.
WordPad can be defined as a better text editor used, preferred over Notepad for providing more than plain text. Though it is heavier than a notepad to open but more convenient than MS word and helps users to create documents like letters, essays, notes, and posters. WordPad program consists of a toolbar, status bar, menu bar, page layout options.
Users can easily create a document and save it as .txt using a WordPad. Moreover, it supports files in .txt, .doc and .odt format. It also allows users to insert images, hyperlinks, and dates. Unlike Notepad, WordPad supports graphics and offers formatting features to the user.
However, WordPad does not offer all kinds of text formatting features as available in MS word. Also, it is not suitable for HTML files, scripts, and other program writing.
Read: How to use WordPad in Windows 10.
Notepad vs WordPad
The actual difference between Notepad and Wordpad is that the Notepad application is a basic text-editing program that you can use for simple documents, while the WordPad application helps in printing documents, including graphics and different text formatting feature.
Microsoft Word, a complete program processing engine
Microsoft Word is a word processing application developed by Microsoft. This application is a graphical word processing that is quite helpful for creating text of large volume.
Microsoft Word (often called simply Word) is a word and program processor contains all the feature to develop highly structured programs. It is one of the most widely used MS office programs used across the globe. A text-based document can be easily formatted, exploring various formatting options, and later can be saved in print or shared as per convenience. The documents can be saved as .doc, while it supports all kinds of text documents.
Word contains equipped toolbars, status bar, header and footer settings, quick access toolbars, and multiple types of file creation options. An excellent canvas for advanced text formatting, it also takes users beyond text by adding impact visuals. Create personalized documents by adding a watermark to your ideas.
Unlike Notepad and WordPad, MS word provides tools like spell checkers, grammar checkers for creating advanced writing documents. It also provides unformatted text with special paste options. Go to the next level, for all kinds of business and personal work using Word templates for making letters, invitations, brochures, posters, proposals, catalogs, flyers, etc.
Hope this helps.
