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Section 4: Web Authoring / HTML Tools - Editors, Reference Charts, Validators, and More
The Web Authoring / HTML Tools category section below includes annotated links to Web authoring / HTML editors, reviews, and other resources, along with links to HTML reference charts, cleanup and conversion tools, automated HTML tools, and HTML validators.
Looking for link checking tools? See Tools
Link Checking Tools.
Check out HTML Web Authoring / HTML Editor Tutorials and Articles, too, for Web authoring / HTML tutorials and articles for specific HTML editors, such as Dreamweaver, HomeSite, TopStyle, and more.
On this page:
- Web Authoring / HTML Editors, Reviews, and Other Resources
- HTML Reference Charts, Tables
- HTML Cleanup, Conversion Tools
- Automated HTML Generating Tools
- HTML Validating Tools
Also within HTML:
- HTML Home
- Section 1: W3C HTML Recommendations, Working Drafts, and Tutorials (1 page)
- Section 2: Web Authoring/HTML Articles, Tutorials, Resources, and Books (1 page)
- Section 3: HTML, Web Design, Development Editors Tutorials, Resources, Books, Software (2 pages)
More Tools, Software within Web Site Resources
Web Authoring / HTML Editors, Reviews, and Other Resources
Which one is best for you? I won't touch that one. We each have our preferences, but I will provide a listing to some of the more popular editors for HTML editing, XHTML editing, Web page editing, and Web site editing. Also listed are reviews and links to other links resources. Note that some tools include WYSIWYG features, but when using those features, always watch for bloated, garbage markup behind the scenes.
Web Authoring / HTML Editors / XHTML Editors
See also CSS CSS Tools CSS Editors for more helpful editors for your Web site.
- Arachnophilia, by P. Lutus
HTML editor, programming editor for Windows. Includes search/replace features, spell checker, will tidy up your markup, has customization available, macros, has built-in FTP service, more. Supports ASP and PHP, too. Loyal following of devoted users. Free. For Windows.[Software by P. Lutus.] - BBEdit, by Bare Bones Software
Top-ranking HTML editor for Macs. Although I haven't personally used it, those using HomeSite (for PCs, below) and BBEdit compare them as similar. Syntax coloring and function navigation support for HTML, JavaScript, Perl, PHP, Ruby, SQL, XHTML, XML, and YAML. Syntax coloring, function navigation, and markup support for CSS. Local preview server for preview of code generated by PHP, Perl, includes, and similar. Built-in support for Dreamweaver. More. Try their Lite version, or download a free trial from their Web site. Prices 01-2008: around $125 full; $30-$40 upgrade; $49 educational. For Mac.[Software by Bare Bones Software.] - CoffeeCup HTML Editor, by CoffeeCup Software, Inc.
HTML editor with WYSIWYG. Includes FTP, drag-and-drop capabilities, XHTML conversion tool, support for PHP and other programming languages, built in CSS editor, spell check, built in sitemapping tool, CoffeeCup Image Mapper, much more. Prices 01-2008: around $49 full; 5% off for educational. For Windows.[Software by CoffeeCup Software, Inc..] - Dreamweaver, by Adobe (formerly by Macromedia)
Another top-ranking HTML program. Integrates with Macromedia HomeSite, Adobe Fireworks, and other software programs. Free trial download. Excellent HTML editor, XHTML editor, accessible to those not knowing HTML, and gaining in popularity among Web site developers, companies, large corporations, and individuals for Web site building, maintenance and especially for managing large sites. Dreamweaver also supports W3C Recommendations and does pretty well with its WYSIWYG features - far superior to FrontPage. Prices 01-2008: around $399 full; $199 upgrade, educational. For Windows and Mac.See also WebsiteTips.com's Dreamweaver Tutorials and Resources section.[Software by Adobe (formerly by Macromedia).] - EditPlus, by ES-Computing
Syntax highlighting text editor, HTML editor, programmer's editor. Syntax highlighting for HTML, CSS, PHP, ASP, Perl, C/C++, Java, JavaScript and VBScript. Also, it can be extended for other programming languages based on custom syntax files. Includes seamless Web browser for previewing HTML pages, and many helpful features - HTML toolbar, URL highlighting, multiple undo, search-replace, more. Recommended by other Web designers for its ease with writing CGI scripts, too. Prices 01-2008: around $30. For Windows.[Software by ES-Computing.] - Expression Web Designer, by Microsoft
Expression Web Designer replaces FrontPage and is a new product by Microsoft, part of the Expression family that includes Expression Web Designer, Expression Graphic Designer, and Expression Interactive Designer. Much better CSS support, better support for Web standards than its predecessor. Prices 01-2008: around $299 full; $199 upgrade (from FrontPage), $70 educational. For Windows.See also WebsiteTips.com's Microsoft Expression Web Designer Tutorials and Resources section.[Software by Microsoft.] - First Page, by Evrsoft
This is a feature-packed HTML editor. Includes “full support for HTML, XHTML, PHP, ASP, Cold Fusion, Javascript, CSS, SSI and Perl.” Worth checking out. Prices 01-2008: around $60 full. For Windows.[Software by Evrsoft.] - FrontPage, by Microsoft
Editor Note May 2007: FrontPage was replaced with Expression Web Designer (see listing above) As of this note, you'll still find support information at Microsoft's site.See also WebsiteTips.com's FrontPage Tutorials and Resources section.[Software by Microsoft.] - GoLive, by Adobe
A direct competitor with Dreamweaver, and a powerful Web authoring tool with WYSIWYG capabilities. Also allows easy converting of Adobe InDesign® layouts into Web pages. Editor note May 2007: GoLive development will continue as a standalone software product (announced by Adobe November 2006), although Adobe is also encouraging users to switch to Dreamweaver. For Windows and Mac.[Software by Adobe.] - HomeSite, by Macromedia (formerly by Allaire)
Top-ranking HTML software for PCs, among the top favorites used by Web site developers. Supports PHP, integrates well with Dreamweaver, Cold Fusion and other programs. Accessible for new users, too. Excellent HTML editor. Free trial download. Editor note February 2006: Adobe and Macromedia merged. HomeSite development has been stagnant for some time, even though devoted HomeSite fans continue to hope for updates. Watch their site for the latest. Prices 01-2008: around $99 full; $29 upgrade. For Windows.See also WebsiteTips.com's HomeSite Tutorials and Resources.[Software by Macromedia (now via Adobe's website).] - HotDog, by Sausage Software
Several versions available, Hotdog Junior for building your first webpage, Hot Dog Page Whiz for novices, Hot Dog Professional and Hot Dog Web Suite. Like other editors listed at WebsiteTips.com, this one is also winner of numerous industry awards. Prices 01-2008: around $129 full (CD-ROM); $99 full (download); $40 upgrade. For Windows.[Software by Sausage Software.] - HTML-Kit Tools (Formerly HTML-Kit), by Chami
Popular Web developer tool for HTML and more. Includes many plugins, such as CSS, HTML Tidy, W3C HTML and CSS references, XHTML, JavaScript, ASP, ColdFusion, Perl, PHP, SSI, SQL, and more. Prices 01-2008: around $65 full; free upgrade for registered HTML-Kit 1.0 users. For Windows.[Software by Chami.] - NoteTab, by Fookes Software
Top-rated text and HTML editor shareware. Awards from PCMagazine and others. Simple to use and helpful with HTML, CSS, PHP, CGI scripts, more. Search/replace, drag and drop files, convert text to HTML, strip tags, more. Prices 01-2008: around $29.95 Pro; $19.95 Standard; Free Lite version. For Windows.[Software by Fookes Software.] - PageSpinner, by Optima System
Mac HTML editor for beginners and advanced. Also supports AppleScript and AppleScript-based software. Prices 01-2008: around $29.95 full; free upgrade; $14 educational. For Mac.[Software by Optima System.] - PSPad, by Jan Fiala
Highly recommended free editor for Windows. Free extensions, online forum, regular updates, very active community of users via their online forum. TopStyle Lite integrated (also free), Tidy libraries also included for formatting and checking CSS, HTML, XHTML, XML, and more. “The editor supports many file types and languages, with syntax highlighting. There are macros, clip files and templates to automate repetitive tasks. Integrated HEX Editor, Project support, FTP Client, Macro Recorder, File Search/Replace, Code Explorer, Code page conversion... these are just some of the many features that PSPad offers.” Supports: “C++, Cobol, MS-Dos batch, CSS, Forth, Fortran, FoxPro, HTML, XHTML, INI, Inno Setup, Java, JavaScript, KixStart, Object Pascal, Perl, PHP, Python, RSS, SQL, TCL/TK, Unix ShellScript, VBScript, Visual Basic, X86 assembler and other 120+ languages included as user highlighter definition.” Free. For Windows.[Free Software by Jan Fiala.] - TextPad, by Helios Software Solutions
Powerful, general purpose editor for plain text files. Spell checker, edit multiple files, unlimited undo/redo, sorting, powerful search/replace, bookmarks, file manager, comparison utility, more. Add utilities, clip libraries, dictionaries, macros, syntax definitions, and more for greater functionality. Around US $27, free trial download. Prices 01-2008: around $33.00 full; free upgrade to TextPad 5 from Textpad 4. For Windows.[Software by Helios Software Solutions.] - TopStyle CSS, HTML, XHTML Editor, by NewsGator Technologies, Inc. (formerly by Bradsoft)
by Nick Bradbury, who created Macromedia HomeSite and FeedDemon. Top-rated editor for PCs (5 stars with ZDNet, PCMagazine, CNet, more). Integrates seamlessly with Macromedia HomeSite, Macromedia Dreamweaver, CSE HTML Validator, NoteTab, and others. The Lite version is already included in HomeSite (and possibly other programs, too). Popular program with Web site developers. Highly recommended by WebsiteTips.com and used for this Web site. Download trial or purchase online. Prices 01-2008: around $79.95 full; free upgrade within version 3; $24.95 upgrade prior to version 3; Free Lite Version. For Windows.There's also a fabulous online forum for TopStyle — see WebsiteTips.com's Online Forums on TopStyle section.[Software by NewsGator Technologies, Inc. (formerly by Bradsoft).] - UltraEdit, by IDM Computer Solutions, Inc.
Highly regarded, reasonably priced text editor for Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/2003 and XP, and it supports 64-bit file handling (standard) on all 32-bit Windows platforms. UltraEdit is the #1 selling, most powerful, value priced text editor available and is quite popular among programmers - “the ideal text, HEX, HTML, PHP, Java, Perl, Javascript, and programmer's editor!” From their site: “UltraEdit delivers easy viewing and editing of code and variables. In addition to the standard editing functions such as undo, copy and paste, and searching, UltraEdit's color-coded editor allows programmers to decipher different code types and variables, and you are going to love the powerful code-folding too! Additional productivity enhancing features include delimiter matching that shows you the location of the opening and closing of parentheses, and bookmarking which helps you remember and find significant sections of code such as subroutines and constant declarations.” UltraEdit-32 also won the coveted “Application of the Year” for 2005 given by the Shareware Industry Awards - awards given by other programmers who create shareware - quite an honor. Download trial or purchase online. Prices 01-2008: around $49.95 full (Windows or Smart Drive); free upgrades available. For Windows, Smart Drive.[Software by IDM Computer Solutions, Inc.]
Books on HTML and Web Authoring Tools/HTML Editors
Recommended by WebsiteTips.com
Read short reviews and find more book recommendations on Web site-related topics in our Recommended Books, Software section!
In association with 
Reviews of Web Authoring / HTML Editors
Individual reviews and links to Web site sections with reviews.
- Battle of the WYSIWYGs: Adobe GoLive 6 vs. Macromedia Dreamweaver MX
[Review dated 01/26/2003, by Jesse Nieminen, for Digital Web.] - HTML Editor Reviews
Matrix Y2K 6.0, HomeSite 5, Abstract Web Studio 4.0, Sothink HTML Editor, PageBuilder 3.0c, Stone's WebWriter 3.5, HandyHTML, Araneae 4.51, PowerHTML 2.0, and quite a few more. [Reviews by WDVL.] - HTML Editors - Web Page Authoring Tools
Section at About.com with reviews of quite a few HTML editors here with more information and resources, too. Categories include: BBEdit, Unix HTML Editors, Dreamweaver, Adobe GoLive, Microsoft FrontPage, Adobe PageMill, Macintosh HTML Editors, Macromedia ColdFusion, Macromedia HomeSite, Fusion, BBEdit, Composer, Macromedia Dreamweaver, Notepad, NetObjects Fusion, Vi the Text Editor, more. Helpful source. [Reviews by Jennifer Kyrnin, About.com's Guide to Web Design / HTML..] - Macromedia Homesite 5
[Review dated 01/03/2002, by Nick Finck, for Digital Web.] - Microsoft Web Designer
An insightful review of Microsoft Web Designer, Microsoft's replacement for FrontPage. Review includes several screenshots, good descriptions about its Code editing, Design View, and more. [Article/tutorial dated 06/18/2006, by Rachel Andrew, for Vitamin.]
Other Web Authoring / HTML Editor Links Resources
- Web Authoring / HTML Editors
WebReference's discerning list of what their reviewers consider to be the best HTML editors. Annotated links to each Web authoring /HTML editor site, too. [Listing by WebReference.] - HTML Editors: Guide Picks
About.com's listing of HTML editors with annotated links to each site. [Listing by About.com's Graphic Design Guide.]
HTML Reference Charts, Tables
- HTML Tags
Well organized reference that provides information about each one along with helpful examples. [Web site by Patrick Griffiths.] - Index of HTML4 Elements
Official W3C listing, with definitions and usage. Excellent and authoritative. [Thanks to Bob Stein for sending in this link!] - VisiBone's Web Designer HTML Card
Most of what you'll ever want to look up for HTML and CSS can be right within reach. VisiBone's Web Designer HTML Card includes HTML, CSS, Special Characters, SSI, URLs, and an XHTML checklist. Bob Stein, the man behind VisiBone, whose well-known color charts are already a standard tool for web designers, has created this new immensely helpful tool after countless hours of researching, experimenting, distilling, and poring over great suggestions to provide the best possible tool for HTML and CSS. This incredible chart is available in two sizes. WebsiteTips.com wholeheartedly recommends VisiBone's latest tool! Mine are sitting here at my desk. - HTML Element Index
by Brian Wilson, Index DOT Html. Excellent listing of definitions and lots of details for all the HTML tags. Great reference. - HTML Elements
MSDN Online Web Workshop's listing, with definitions. Very helpful. [Thanks to Bob Stein for sending in this link!] - HTML 4.01 / XHTML 1.0 Reference - Alphabetical Listing [Tag list part of the W3 Schools Web site.]
HTML Cleanup, Conversion Tools
Tools to convert documents to OR from HTML, clean up HTML, and convert from HTML to XHTML. Know of other good ones? Feel free to submit them!
- HTML2Table, Table2HTML
Stefan Pettersson has created a couple of tools: HTML2Table: "you can convert HTML tables without all the HTML tags into comma (or anything else) delimited tables which you easily can import into Excel or a database." Table2HTML: "you can easily convert a tab or comma delimited table (table in a Word document for example) to a HTML table. You can directly copy/paste the table or specify a file that should be converted. You may also specify font settings, alignment, and more of the generated HTML table." - HTML Tidy
by Dave Raggett, W3C. Cleans up HTML, XHTML, reports errors and problems. It also has a great feature to clean up Word 2000 generated HTML (I've used this often!). It also converts HTML to XHTML. Configurable, customizable. Very handy, excellent tool. Already integrated with Macromedia HomeSite, Bradsoft TopStyle, and many other programs. Standalone program or integrated.- Integrating HTML Tidy into Microsoft FrontPage
By Michael Suodenjoki, August 2002. This article describes how you can improve the quality of your HTML/XHTML pages by integrating HTML Tidy into Microsoft FrontPage 2000 or 2002 (Office XP).
- Integrating HTML Tidy into Microsoft FrontPage
Automated HTML Generating Tools
Just input some information and these tools will generate the HTML markup for you. In addition, WYSIWYG HTML editors will generate the HTML markup for you, such as Dreamweaver and FrontPage above, and so will publishing programs and content management systems (CMS). Many generate bloated and garbage markup, though, so be careful!
- META Tag Builder
Great and free onlineMETAelement tag builder tool by Vancouver Webpages. [Free online tool by Andrew Daviel, Vancouver Webpages.] - META Tag Builder
This free online tool creates theTITLEelement tag, theMETACharacter Set element tag, theMETADescription element tag, and theMETAKeywords element tag. [Free tool by Scrub the Web.]
You'll find more automated tools like this at WebsiteTips.com's sections:
HTML Validating Tools
- HTML Conformance Testing
Links to online validators and conformance information from the W3C. - W3C CSS Validation Service
Check your style sheets code either at the site, or download it to your own computer. Fabulous service (Free!). - W3C HTML Validation Service
Great tool for validating your HTML to W3C Recommendations.- W3C HTML Validation Service FAQ
This FAQ answers a few common questions about W3C's HTML Validator.
- W3C HTML Validation Service FAQ
- CSE HTML Validator
Integrates within Macromedia HomeSite, Bradsoft TopStyle, and several other programs. Also stands alone as an HTML validator or syntax checker, CSS validator, link checking program, spelling checker, too. Numerous settings for types of validation, and highly customizable. Easy to use, great program. Highly recommended by Websitetips.com. Try this free online version of CSE HTML Validator Lite to validate a document:Editor note: I've used CSE HTML Validator every day for my Web work since its inception in 1997. An especially great feature is its batch processing, available in the CSE HTML Validator Professional Edition, that will validate an entire website. I also batch process an entire site using a combination of validation, link checking, and spell checking. I rely on this fabulous tool every single day. (Disclaimer: I'm not paid to promote CSE HTML Validator - I'm just a happy customer.)NEW! Check your document online with CSE HTML Validator Lite. Add this to your site.
- Doctor HTML v5
Online Web site analysis. Fee (not free). - LIFT Online
An online service by UsableNet to help recognize and solve HTML code for usability and accessibility, and includes a 508 Accessibility test.
Didn't find what you're looking for? For more tools that include markup validating, see CSS Validating Tools and Accessibility and Section 508 Software and Other Tools. They include tools for specific editors, too, such as HomeSite, FrontPage, Dreamweaver, others.
