macOS defaults

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Default document format ​

Set default document format as rich text (.rtf) or plain text (.txt).

  • Tested on macOS:
    • Ventura
    • Monterey
    • Big Sur
  • Parameter type: bool

Set to true (default value) ​

Rich text is enabled.

bash
defaults write com.apple.TextEdit "RichText" -bool "true" && killall TextEdit

Example output with value set to true

Set to false ​

Rich text is disabled.

bash
defaults write com.apple.TextEdit "RichText" -bool "false" && killall TextEdit

Example output with value set to false

Read current value ​

bash
defaults read com.apple.TextEdit "RichText"

Reset to default value ​

bash
defaults delete com.apple.TextEdit "RichText" && killall TextEdit