Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
unformatted text
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "unformatted text" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe text that has not been styled or structured in any specific way, often referring to plain text without any formatting such as bold, italics, or bullet points. Example: "Please submit your report as unformatted text so that we can easily import it into our system."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Wiki
Alternative expressions(5)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
5 human-written examples
A text note can be either straight-ahead unformatted text or a checklist complete with little checkboxes or a photo.
News & Media
Just select the text and press the control key and space bar to convert the selection to plain, unformatted text.
News & Media
Framework (Fr) residues are indicated as unformatted text followed by (H) and (L) to indicate heavy or light chain origin, respectively.
END PROGRAM Write means "write some unformatted text to standard output" Why the spaces?
Wiki
Paste as Unformatted Text: Choose this option and the selected contents will be removed all formats and pasted as plain text.
Wiki
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
55 human-written examples
The SMS use was defined as routine sending and receiving of unformatted text-messages.
Science
Unformatted for that instant.
News & Media
Cheerios, text, text, text.
News & Media
Text, text, text, text, text.
News & Media
Text Messages (PDF) Text Messages (Text).
News & Media
They text.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "unformatted text" when the visual appearance is unimportant, and the focus is solely on the content itself. This is especially useful in technical documentation, code comments, or data exchange formats.
Common error
Avoid using "unformatted text" when you actually mean text that is difficult to understand or poorly written. "Unformatted" refers to the absence of styling, while "unclear" describes the content's comprehensibility.
Source & Trust
77%
Authority and reliability
4.3/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "unformatted text" functions as a descriptive term, typically used as a noun modifier. It specifies the type of text being referred to, emphasizing its lack of stylistic enhancements. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct.
Frequent in
Science
30%
News & Media
30%
Wiki
20%
Less common in
Formal & Business
10%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "unformatted text" is a grammatically correct and functional phrase used to describe text without any styling or formatting. Ludwig confirms this. It's most frequently found in scientific, news and media, and wiki contexts, with a neutral register that makes it suitable for diverse applications. When using the phrase, ensure it is clear that you are referring to the absence of styling, not the clarity of the content itself. Alternatives include "plain text" and "raw text". Overall, it's a straightforward and useful term for precise communication regarding text formats.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
text without formatting
Explicitly states the absence of any formatting applied to the text.
plain text
Focuses on the simplicity of the text, emphasizing the absence of formatting.
raw text
Highlights the unprocessed nature of the text, suggesting it hasn't been manipulated or styled.
unprocessed text
Emphasizes the lack of prior treatment or modification of the text.
unstyled text
Directly points out the absence of styling elements in the text.
clear text
Implies the text is free from any obfuscation or encoding, easily readable.
pure text
Highlights the text's essential nature, devoid of any added elements.
unstructured text
Indicates that the text lacks a defined structure or organization.
basic text
Emphasizes the fundamental, unmodified state of the text.
ASCII text
Refers to text encoded using the ASCII standard, inherently lacking rich formatting.
FAQs
What does "unformatted text" mean?
"Unformatted text" refers to text that does not have any specific styling or formatting applied, such as bolding, italics, or special fonts. It is often synonymous with "plain text".
When should I use "unformatted text"?
Use "unformatted text" when you want to ensure that only the content of the text is transferred, without any styling that could interfere with the destination. This is common when pasting into applications or submitting data to systems.
What is the difference between "unformatted text" and "rich text"?
"Unformatted text" contains only the characters themselves, while "rich text" includes additional information about the text's appearance, such as fonts, colors, and formatting. "Rich text format" (RTF) is a common format for rich text.
What are some alternatives to saying "unformatted text"?
Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "plain text", "raw text", or "unstyled text". All these terms emphasize the absence of formatting.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
77%
Authority and reliability
4.3/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested