BBEdit FAQs for TextWrangler Customers

What happened to TextWrangler?

TextWrangler is now part of BBEdit (our award-winning flagship text and code editor), and has been sunsetted as a separate product.

Do I have to pay to use BBEdit?

No. You can use BBEdit without purchasing a license, in the same way you’ve been using TextWrangler (yes, for free). If you want BBEdit’s complete feature set (web authoring tools, and other exclusive features), you can purchase a license any time you like.

Can I try out BBEdit’s features before buying?

Absolutely. BBEdit has a 30-day evaluation period. During that period, all of BBEdit’s features are available. When it ends, you can still use BBEdit — with no nag screens or unsolicited interruptions, for free, forever — and with a feature set which incorporates all of TextWrangler’s features and then some.

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What features do I get when I buy a BBEdit license?

Buying a BBEdit license gets you advanced features, including HTML markup tools, source control system integration, and much more.

In “free mode”, you get all of the features you know and love from TextWrangler, plus a few more.

You can see the differences here.

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Can I just continue using TextWrangler?

Certainly. You’re welcome to continue using TextWrangler for as long as it suits your needs, and then switch to BBEdit whenever you like.

However, please note that TextWrangler is not compatible with macOS High Sierra (10.13) and later.

As a 32-bit application, TextWrangler does not run at all on macOS Catalina (10.15) and later.

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Won’t I have to learn how to use BBEdit?

You already know how to use BBEdit. Everything you know how to do in TextWrangler works the same way in BBEdit, and all of the features you’ve been using are right where you expect them to be.

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Will BBEdit import all of my TextWrangler settings?

Yes. The first time you use it, BBEdit will automatically import your preferences and application support items (such as scripts and filters) from your current TextWrangler setup.

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I have more than one computer. How many BBEdit licenses do I need to buy?

BBEdit’s license agreement allows you (the licensed person) to install BBEdit on more than one computer; for example, a desktop and a laptop. So, if you are the only user, you can install BBEdit on all of your computers, and you will need to purchase only one license.

If you are deploying BBEdit for multiple users, please contact us for multi-user licensing and pricing information.

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I don’t need all the extra menu commands that BBEdit has. Can I hide them?

You can. The “Menus & Shortcuts” preferences provide complete control over what menus and items are visible, so you can hide any menus and commands that you don’t need. Use the “Simple Menus” button if you would like to hide menu commands for features that weren’t present in TextWrangler.

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We are an academic institution which uses TextWrangler in our labs. What should we do?

  • If you are faculty or staff at an academic institution which is currently using TextWrangler in your labs, we have a simple, no-cost solution for you. Please contact us and we will be happy to assist you.
  • If you are a student, faculty member, or staff at an academic institution and have been using TextWrangler either individually or in a class, please use BBEdit in “Free Mode”. This will cost you nothing and includes all of TextWrangler’s features, and a few more.

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We have installed TextWrangler on every machine in the company. What should we do?

Install BBEdit on every machine in the company. BBEdit will open all of your existing files, and preserve your existing workflows. When the time comes, you’ll be able to remove TextWrangler from your deployment with little to no disruption.

If you need to manage a large installation, please contact our sales department and we will be happy to assist you.

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