How to make TextEdit open with a blank file by default?

Question

In Lion, TextEdit used to open with a blank file by default. On Mountain Lion, it launches with a file picker by default — either for choosing to store the file in iCloud or for opening a local file.

How can I make TextEdit launch with a blank file by default in Mountain Lion?

score 130 · Accepted Answer · edited Apr 22 '20 at 15:23

130

If you don't want to disable syncing documents and data, run

defaults write -g NSShowAppCentricOpenPanelInsteadOfUntitledFile -bool false

and quit and reopen TextEdit to apply the changes.

To restore (thanks to comments run)

defaults delete -g NSShowAppCentricOpenPanelInsteadOfUntitledFile

To set this for TextEdit only (thanks to comment by gklka)

defaults write com.apple.TextEdit NSShowAppCentricOpenPanelInsteadOfUntitledFile -bool false

edited Apr 22 '20 at 15:23

Community

1

answered Nov 25 '13 at 13:00

Lri

105,117

1

This still works for macOS Monterey, (I only tested the last one from gklka) – Dan Heaford Mar 01 '22 at 15:21
The last one from gklka also still works in Ventura 13.2.1. Thank you! – Onkel-j Mar 01 '23 at 14:05
@Lri Any idea how to do that for preview app ? I can’t toggle specific app from iCloud Drive sync options. – Khurshid Alam Oct 06 '23 at 00:26

score 42 · Answer 2 · edited Jan 02 '23 at 17:45

42

System Preferences > iCloud > iCloud Drive ( Options ) > uncheck TextEdit.

Starting with macOS Ventura, it is System Settings > Internet Accounts > iCloud > iCloud Drive > Options > uncheck TextEdit.

edited Jan 02 '23 at 17:45

nohillside

100,768

answered Jan 30 '15 at 15:23

ericbarnes88

529

2

Easiest answer! – puerile Feb 23 '21 at 04:35
5

Still working for me in 2022. Thanks! – Andrew Watson Feb 19 '22 at 12:11
1

The only thing I was missing from Windows was how quick the notepad was opening. Now it also is solved. :-) – Mehmet Kaplan Jul 16 '22 at 07:44
I didn't need iCloud in TextEdit (for now) so this works perfectly. It's in System Settings > Internet Accounts for Ventura. Also, it took a while before the unchecking saved properly. – ADTC Jan 02 '23 at 13:03
This one worked for me quickly and easily. Thank you!!!!!!! – Michael J Mar 02 '23 at 17:34
why does this work?? – spacetyper Jun 14 '23 at 03:50
This will remove your files locally as I ´ve did in OSX 10.13.6! – LAOMUSIC ARTS Aug 30 '23 at 00:37
Still working well, as of October 2023, on MacOS Sonoma 14.0. – qamnott Oct 03 '23 at 03:08

score 12 · Answer 3 · answered Aug 20 '12 at 20:56

12

Go to System Preferences > iCloud > uncheck "Documents & Data" from the sync list.

answered Aug 20 '12 at 20:56

hiiambo

1,131

2

Doing this will remove the possibility to save and sync documents and data from any application in OS X. – Hoshts Aug 20 '12 at 21:26
It's the only way - otherwise, it'll prompt whether you want to save a document to iCloud or locally. Remove iCloud from the mix, you get a blank document locally. – hiiambo Aug 20 '12 at 21:26
his will remove your files locally as I ´ve did in OSX 10.13.6! – LAOMUSIC ARTS Aug 30 '23 at 00:38

How to make TextEdit open with a blank file by default?

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