looking for simple List Maker tool or program

After a long time searching and trying different programs I'm beginning to wonder if what I'm looking for even exists. I need a program that I can use to make a list of items. I'd like to be able to make multiple lists and be able to switch between them easily. Every program I've explored so far wants access to your contacts, phone, camera or something else on the computer.

The closest I've found to one that works like I want is Make-A-List, but I've not found a way to make more than one list with it. I've tried Microsoft To Do, Google Keep, SimpleTask, Remember the Milk, and several others. They all want to manage your life while all I want is something to make lists with and nothing more.

I know this will sound awfully dull and childlike, but when I need to make a list of anything I just open "Wordpad". I use it so often that I have a shortcut to Wordpad in my Task Bar. It's been my main GO TO Text Editor for decades.

Good luck,
TM

Yes, I do the same as @TechnoMage2021 and use WordPad. An alternative to WordPad is Jarte. Jarte has the advantage that it can hold open several tabbed documents ('lists') at the same time.

larrydonline said:

They all want to manage your life while all I want is something to make lists with and nothing more.

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HI Larry,

I often just use the Notes app on my phone for quick short time lists on the go.
However, for computer related lists, I use OneNote.

There are two versions you should be aware of:

• OneNote (formerly called “OneNote 2016”), the free desktop app that runs on all supported versions of Microsoft Windows and is part of Office 2019 and Microsoft 365.
• OneNote for Windows 10, the OneNote app that is pre-installed on all editions of Windows 10.

I use the first one. However, if you don't have Microsoft 365 installed, you can always play around with the 2nd option. However, that one - if I recall correctly - will want you to login with a Microsoft account... which it sounds like you want to avoid and I don't blame you. That's why I'm not logged in to any of my MS programs. I use Outlook for non-MS accounts.

Regarding OneNote for Lists

These lists can be as simple or as complex as you like.
Just a preview if you're not familiar with OneNote.

I have a Section called To-Do.
The first Page is the main To-Do List


I list them with check boxes to discern separate items in the list and I can check them off when completed. (2nd image)

However, you'll notice a subpage called Completed items (1st image)
Every now and then I'll take the ones checked off and move them to that completed list for historical reference.


Note: You can have three levels of pages, but only collapse the 1st level.


Below that is a Wishlist. These are things I want to look into later on but are not that important and will find their way into the priority list when the time comes. This is so I don't have to start from scratch when I revisit the topic/issue in the future.

All the pages below that are usually things I've already researched and have taken a great deal of notes on, to include links to websites, files, local resources and even YouTube videos.

If any one of those need to be in the To-Do List (priorities) then I will add it in as a simple title and link to that appropriate subpage.

These examples revolve around my Windows Deployment Notebook. I keep my personal lists in a different Notebook named after me.

For example, when I was going to convert our guest room into the kids bedroom, I had a list for everything I wanted to do and even furniture options, bedding, closet design, etc.

Obviously these types of list are not created in one session, so it was very helpful in the long run. These lists I just delete since they are usually not repeatable.

Best of luck to you...

@ZERO269 I agree! I've used Microsoft OneNote for many years. OneNote is my most used app and I use it many times every day. You can use it for as much or as little as you like. Keeping notes using Notepad or WordPad is primitive compared to the capabilities of OneNote. And OneNote is already there for free with Windows 11.

You mentioned that you do a different app on your phone. You don't have to do that if you're using an Android phone. OneNote works transparently across all your devices. I love always having all my notes with me wherever I go.

TraderGary said:

You mentioned that you do a different app on your phone. You don't have to do that if you're using an Android phone. OneNote works transparently across all your devices. I love always having all my notes with me wherever I go.

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True.. I've used OneNote on my iPad/iPhone, but I don't like my OneNote in the cloud. It's messy as it removes the actual notebook from my computers file system and replaces it with a link to OneDrive.

I have several notebooks and they need only stay on my computer. I've never really had a need to see in my notebooks while away from my laptop. I don't use the Windows version because I don't have full control of where the data is stored.

I have my own cloud. My Synology NAS and use Synology Drive to sync my user files. I can gain secure access to it remotely, and there's an iOS app for my crappy Apple devices.

You can use a spreadsheet program like Excel. You can put each list in a separate column. Note there are several programs similar to Excel that are free.

ZERO269 said:

True.. I've used OneNote on my iPad/iPhone, but I don't like my OneNote in the cloud. It's messy as it removes the actual notebook from my computers file system and replaces it with a link to OneDrive.

I have several notebooks and they need only stay on my computer. I've never really had a need to see in my notebooks while away from my laptop. I don't use the Windows version because I don't have full control of where the data is stored.

I have my own cloud. My Synology NAS and use Synology Drive to sync my user files. I can gain secure access to it remotely, and there's an iOS app for my crappy Apple devices.

Click to expand...

I'm a long time Microsoft OneDrive user and OneDrive works flawlessly for me. I've used OneDrive since it was implemented in 2007. I subscribe to Microsoft 365 and have a Terabyte of cloud OneDrive. I keep all my data and photos in my OneDrive folder and my data is mirrored in cloud OneDrive in real-time. I don't believe the Microsoft conspiracy theories.

ZERO269 said:

True.. I've used OneNote on my iPad/iPhone, but I don't like my OneNote in the cloud. It's messy as it removes the actual notebook from my computers file system and replaces it with a link to OneDrive.

Click to expand...

Yes, that's the way OneDrive works if you use the default "Files On Demand". If you turn "Files On Demand" OFF then all your data is kept in your local OneDrive folder and is also mirrored in real-time in cloud OneDrive. It isn't "messy" and works flawlessly. I've used OneDrive this way for years.

Thanks for the replies. I tried Wordpad For Android but I can't figure out how to make lists with it. I'll give Onenote a try. I had to download and install it. It insists on being linked to my Google account. I don't see a way to avoid that. After installing OneNote I don't think the UI is very friendly. I entered some items in a list but don't see a way to save what I entered. Unless there's a tutorial on using OneNote I don't think it's going to work for me.

I just realized I hadn't made it clear that I need the list maker on my Samsung Note20 Pro 5G cell phone. I can use Wordpad and Edit Pad Pro for list making on my PC. So in reality I probably asked for help in the wrong forum. I'll look for an Android specific group or help site. I still appreciate the feedback I got here.

Microsoft Excel for Android is free. Just download it from the Googe Play Store onto your phone.

MisterEd said:

You can use a spreadsheet program like Excel. You can put each list in a separate column. Note there are several programs similar to Excel that are free.

Click to expand...

That’s what I use, I have a sheet for each letter of he alphabet

larrydonline said:

I tried Wordpad For Android but I can't figure out how to make lists with it.

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larrydonline said:

I just realized I hadn't made it clear that I need the list maker on my Samsung Note20 Pro 5G cell phone

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Just use any text editor or spreadsheet program on your phone.
I tend to use Simple text editor in my Android for simple text editing.

Or have some paper & a pencil in your back pocket.

Denis

Freebie Libre Calc spreadsheet program in Libre Office (freeware)

larrydonline said:

I need the list maker on my Samsung Note20 Pro 5G cell phone.

Click to expand...

Notepad - Google Play

That's it! Try3. Simple Text Editor is just what I've been looking for. I don't know why it never came up from all the ways I tried to search for simple text editors.

I think search results are designed to show the most popular items and there are too many of them to examine. Thank you for solving my problem. I was getting frustrated never finding a simple tool.