A text file is a type of computer file that contains plain text without any special formatting. It is typically saved with a .txt extension and can be opened and edited using simple text editors like Notepad or TextEdit. Text files are commonly used for storing information such as notes, code, or configuration settings. Text files are versatile and can be easily shared between different operating systems, making them a popular choice for data exchange. They can also be read by various programming languages, allowing developers to manipulate the content for applications or scripts.