in plain text

USAGE SUMMARY

"in plain text" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to text that is not in a special format such as HTML or PDF. For example: "Please send me the document in plain text."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

User Guide in plain text.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Need these values in plain text?

Cornell University

The code is available in plain text.

Cornell University

#"'Default to writing in plain text"'.

Harvard University

Storing passwords in plain text is a poor security practice.

The New York Times - Tech

The message must be sent in plain text.

Cornell University

More than 80% of biomedical data is embedded in plain text.

Journal of Biomedical Informatics

To stress, none of the passwords obtained were stored in plain text.

The Guardian - Tech

The rest are transmitting everything in plain text that anyone could read.

The New York Times - Magazine

A special printer produces a two-layered translucent receipt with the votes in plain text.

The Economist

You can use all these fonts in plain text, bold, italic, outline or shadow.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing security, explicitly state "in plain text" to emphasize the vulnerability of unencrypted data. It is crucial in contexts where data protection is paramount.

Common error

Don't assume all recipients can open formats like HTML or RTF. Providing information "in plain text" ensures accessibility across different systems and devices. Always offer a plain text alternative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in plain text" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by specifying the manner in which something is presented or stored. Ludwig shows that this often relates to data security or accessibility. Ludwig AI states that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

2.5%

Reference

2.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in plain text" is a versatile adverbial phrase used across various domains to denote the lack of encryption or specialized formatting. Ludwig's analysis confirms it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. Given its frequent appearance in news, academic, and scientific contexts, it is essential to understand its implications, particularly concerning data security. Ludwig AI emphasizes its appropriate usage in contexts that require clarity and accessibility, albeit with the caveat of potential vulnerability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as clear text

Highlights the lack of obfuscation.

without encryption

Specifies the absence of encryption.

in unencrypted format

Focuses on the lack of encryption.

in an unprotected state

Emphasizes the vulnerability of the text.

in readable form

Emphasizes the ease of understanding the text.

in a simple format

Stresses the uncomplicated nature of the text's structure.

in a straightforward manner

Highlights the simplicity and directness of the text's presentation.

in an easily accessible manner

Focuses on the accessibility of the text.

in its original form

Refers to the text being unaltered or unconverted.

in a decrypted form

Implies the text was previously encrypted but is now readable.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is stored "in plain text"?

Storing data "in plain text" means it's stored in a readable format without any encryption. This makes it vulnerable to unauthorized access.

Why is it bad to send passwords "in plain text"?

Sending passwords "in plain text" exposes them to interception and misuse. Always use secure methods for transmitting sensitive information.

What are the alternatives to sending a message "in plain text"?

Alternatives include encrypting the message or using a secure messaging service. Secure protocols protect the message from eavesdropping.

How can I ensure a document is readable "in plain text"?

Save the document as a .txt file. This removes formatting and ensures it can be opened by any text editor.