.1st — First Choice Text Document
Various (text-based files) · 1980s
A .1st file is a simple, unformatted plain text document, often used for basic notes or configuration data.
Key Features
- Universal Compatibility: Opens on nearly any operating system or device.
- Simplicity: Contains only raw text characters, no formatting or embedded objects.
- Small File Size: Due to the lack of rich data, files are typically very compact.
- Human-Readable: Easily viewed and edited with any basic text editor.
Best For
- Cross-platform text sharing.
- Storing plain, unformatted data.
- Quick, simple notes.
- Configuration files.
Less Ideal For
- Documents requiring rich formatting (bold, italics, fonts).
- Presentations with slides and graphics.
- Spreadsheets with calculations and charts.
- Image, audio, or video files.
Common Use Cases
- Storing simple text notes or memos.
- Saving configuration settings for software.
- Distributing basic readme files.
- Creating simple lists or outlines.
How to Open It
- On Windows: Double-click the file to open in Notepad, or right-click and choose 'Open with...' to select another text editor like Notepad++.
- On macOS: Double-click to open in TextEdit, or use a terminal command like 'open file.1st'.
- On Linux: Open with any text editor such as Gedit, Nano, Vim, or Emacs.
- Mobile Devices: Use a dedicated text editor app available on app stores.
What is a .1st file?
The .1st file extension is generally used for plain text files. These files are designed to be universally compatible, meaning they can be opened and read by virtually any text editor or word processor. Unlike more complex document formats, .1st files contain only basic character data, without any special formatting, images, or embedded objects. This simplicity makes them ideal for storing raw text information, configuration settings, or simple notes that need to be accessed across different operating systems and applications. Because they are unformatted, they are also very small in size.
Programs That Open .1st Files
| Platform | Program | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows | Notepad | Free | Official |
| Notepad++ | Free | ||
| macOS | TextEdit | Free | Official |
| Linux | Gedit | Free | Official |
| Nano | Free | Official | |
| Vim | Free | Official | |
| Android | QuickEdit Text Editor | Free | |
| iOS | Textastic | Paid | |
| Web Browser | Google Docs | Free |
How to Convert .1st Files
| Format | Method |
|---|---|
| .TXT | Save As/Export in text editor, Command-line tools (e.g., `cp file.1st file.txt`) |
| .RTF | Copy-paste into a word processor and save as RTF, Some advanced text editors might support export. |
Common Problems with .1st Files
Frequently Asked Questions
Its primary purpose is to store simple, unformatted text data that needs to be universally compatible and easily readable.
No, .1st files are strictly for plain text. They cannot contain images, tables, or any rich formatting elements.
Essentially, yes. Both are plain text formats, and the .1st extension is often used interchangeably with .txt, sometimes to denote a primary or 'first' file in a set.
Technical Details
These files are essentially ASCII or UTF-8 encoded text. They do not contain any formatting codes, images, or other rich media, adhering strictly to plain text standards. File structure is a linear sequence of characters, typically terminated by newline characters. A common characteristic is the absence of a specific header signature, relying solely on the file extension for identification.