When brainstorming / planning I like to have four text files open onscreen at once: One for notes/stream of consciousness, one for action items to follow up on, one for a rough outline, etc.... What I'm looking for is an easy way to create / save four text files in this manner in Windows.

Most importantly, I need the lines to wrap based on the width of the actual window itself. Not based on a ruler or document size (a la Word or Wordpad) and not wrapping "manually only" (like Windows' built in Notepad app.) Also, I need the windows to have no, or at least, little, fluff at the top of each document (menubars, ribbons, etc.)

On my Mac, I've found that the built-in "TextEdit" app is almost perfect for this. There's no header or ribbon taking up space for each document, and lines wrap when they hit the end of the window. I haven't had any luck finding a Windows app that works the same way so any help is appreciated.

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If you don't mind having four Notepad instances open, use menu: Format, word-wrap. – RedGrittyBrick Oct 26 '11 at 9:12
@RedGrittyBrick I didn't even know Notepad had that option... that's pretty much exactly what I was looking for... I'd give you credit for answering the question if it was submitted as an answer! – Ascendant Nov 9 '11 at 9:09
Answer submitted as requested (Oh heck, I'm so greedy.) – RedGrittyBrick Nov 9 '11 at 9:49
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4 Answers

up vote 0 down vote accepted

If you don't mind having four Notepad instances open, use menu: Format, word-wrap.

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Cream (which are a bunch of scripts that make vim much simpler for regular users) has the word wrapping features you want - it can wrap on the border of that particular pane, and has very little fluff for split windows.

Here's a screenshot of macvim on my computer, which is similar enough. It shows the wrapping of text according to that window's borders:

enter image description here

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You can go on and type: <ESC>:set go=-T<ENTER> to hide Toolbar. – vestel Oct 26 '11 at 6:38
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Both emacs and vim can do this.

But beware that the learning curve of both are a bit steep.
(Totally worth it IMO)

This should get you started Emacs Crib Sheet or The Vim commands cheat sheet

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UltraEdit can do that. Just enable word wrap with Strg+W.

Costs money but it is well worth it.

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