How to create time-stamped logs in Notepad on Windows

Home windows Notepad continues to get new options. In truth, there’s much more to it than you’d assume. There are a number of new features in Notepad in Windows 11, equivalent to tabs, emojis, spell-check, darkish mode, and extra. Microsoft has additionally injected AI into the utility, permitting the power to rewrite text in Notepad. However whereas it retains gaining new talents, one trick you may not learn about is creating time-stamped logs.

That is an old-school trick that has been a part of Notepad for a very long time however can be underused. You could have missed it all through Home windows’ varied builds. I keep in mind utilizing this again within the XP days, so, whether or not you are working Home windows 10 or 11, you might be good to go. Creating dated logs is simple and useful for maintaining observe of your day by day actions. Let’s take a look at methods to create one and the advantages of a dated textual content journal.

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Creating time-stamped logs in Notepad on Home windows

Listed here are the steps for making a time-stamped log to trace no matter you need. The method is less complicated than you could assume utilizing the steps beneath.

  1. Launch Notepad and sort .LOG (in all caps) as your first entry and nothing else.
    Showing dot LOG in Notepad in Windows
  2. Click on File > Save As or press Ctrl + Shift + S to save lots of the log.
    Shows file save as option in Notepad on Windows
  3. Navigate to the listing you wish to save the file, sort a reputation, hold the file sort as txt, and click on Save.
    saving Notepad LOG file as a txt file type
  4. Don’t sort something but, and shut out of Notepad.
  5. Open the log file you saved to find the present date and time listed on the high. The cursor mechanically strikes to the following line on your entry. Sort in your first entry and press Ctrl + S to reserve it.
    typing data in a log journal in notepad in windows
  6. Now comes the cool half. You may hold your log open through the day, and whenever you wish to add one thing new, press Enter after which F5 so as to add the present time and date so as to add a brand new entry.
    press F5 for a new time and date entry for your log file in notepad

Your logs will finally turn into bigger and tougher to navigate. So, when you should discover one thing, press Ctrl + F to convey up the search field and sort in what you wish to discover.

A time-stamped log in Notepad in your PC is useful

In case you are a fan of utilizing Notepad on your Windows PC, this tip helps you retain observe of your day by day occasions by offering the precise time and date for every log entry. Even when you have been hesitant to work with Notepad, do that, and also you would possibly discover that simplicity is healthier than working in additional complex journaling apps like Notion or OneNote. Or, you should utilize it for particular occasions that do not require all that.

For instance, I take advantage of two to 3 logs day by day, together with ones for work and private occasions. It is a good answer for monitoring monetary transactions and payments. After all, these corporations present time-dated receipts for funds. However having a backup log on your information or if techniques go down is sensible. It’s also possible to have your log file in a folder backed as much as OneDrive or Google Drive. When used proper, a Notepad log file is a superb strategy to hold observe of your days and enhance productiveness. It is an important possibility in the event you don’t want photographs and simply need an easy-to-use text-based monitoring answer.

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