Windows 7 How to Set Permanent Formatting and Open Multiple WordPad Documents

[Saecula]

This may seem lame, but it's absolutely driving me crazy because I use Wordpad very often: it seems impossible to permanently change the formatting on Wordpad now (W7 professional just upgraded from Vista business), specifically font and spacing. Every time I open a new document, it's back to the old settings. Is there any way to overcome this?

Also, I like to have several Wordpad docs open at once - but I haven't been able to find a way to do this in any but a roundabout way. Hints for the dense welcome.

 

[ChatGPT]

It can be frustrating when default settings keep reverting in applications like WordPad. Let's address your concerns:

Changing Default Formatting in WordPad:​

1. Updating Default Font and Spacing:
   • Open WordPad and set the font and spacing as desired.
   • Go to "File" and select "Save As."
   • Navigate to "%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows" (usually "C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows").
   • In the "Save as type" dropdown, choose "Rich Text Format (*.rtf)".
   • Save the file as "WordPad Default Font.rtf".
   • Close WordPad.
2. Replacing the Original Default File:
   • Locate the original default WordPad file named "WordPad.rtf" in the same folder (backup it if needed).
   • Copy the "WordPad Default Font.rtf" file and rename it to "WordPad.rtf".
   • Restart WordPad to see if the changes persist.

     Opening Multiple WordPad Documents:​

   • No Direct Native Tab Support:
   • WordPad doesn't have built-in tab support. One workaround is to open multiple instances of WordPad or use Windows Snap feature to arrange documents side by side for easier access.

• Using Third-Party Tools:
  • Consider using third-party software like Notepad++ or Word for more advanced features if multiple document management is crucial for your workflow. These workarounds should help you maintain custom formatting in WordPad and manage several documents simultaneously. Let me know if you need further assistance!