Using the text file editor in Sync

The Sync web panel includes a built-in text editor that lets you create, edit, and save text-based files directly in your browser. Your files remain end-to-end encrypted, and any changes you make are saved to your Sync account automatically. This article covers the following: 

• Creating a new text file
• Editing an existing text file
• Saving your work
• Collaborating on a text file
• Supported file types

Creating a new text file

To create a new text file in the Sync web panel:

1. Sign in to the web panel.
2. Click the + icon at the bottom right and select New file.
3. Select Text as the file type.
4. Name your file and include the file extension you want to use, such as .txt, .md, or .html.
5. Click Create.

The new file will open in Sync.

Editing an existing text file

To edit an existing text file:

1. Sign in to the web panel.
2. Locate and open the .txt file you would like to edit.
3. Click the Edit in Sync pencil icon in the top right corner.
4. Make your changes.
5. Click Save when you're done.

Saving your work

Make sure to save your changes before leaving the editor:

• Manual save: Click the Save button at any time on the top right of the editor to save your current changes.
• Unsaved changes warning: If you navigate away from the editor without saving, you will be prompted to confirm before leaving. This helps prevent accidental data loss.

Collaborating on a text file

The text editor supports one-way editing, meaning multiple people can open and edit the same file, but changes are not merged in real time.

Here's what to know when collaborating:

• The most recent save wins. If two people are editing the same file at the same time, the last person to save will overwrite the other's changes. The saved version is what appears in your Sync account.
• Version history is preserved. Every save creates a new version, so you can recover a previous version if needed. Learn more. 
• Shared folder behavior. When a text file is in a shared folder, all members with edit access can open and save it. Coordinate with collaborators to avoid overwriting each other's work.

Supported file types

When creating or renaming a text file, you can change the file extension directly in the web panel. For example, you can rename notes.txt to notes.md without re-uploading the file.

Changing the extension updates how the file is recognized, but it does not convert the file contents to a different format.

The text editor supports text-based files with a supported text MIME type. For a full list of supported MIME types and extensions, see the table below.

Note: 

• Files must be text-based to open in the editor. Binary files, media files, and other non-text formats are not supported.
• The following are examples of supported text-based MIME types. This list is not exhaustive.