CHO to TXT Converter

CHO to TXT Conversion Explained

Converting .CHO (ChordPro) to .TXT (Plain Text) changes a dynamic markup file into a static text document. The primary mechanical change is transforming inline chords—written as [C]lyrics in .CHO—into a two-line "chords over lyrics" format in .TXT.

People convert .CHO to .TXT to share chord sheets with musicians who do not use specialized sheet music software. You gain universal readability, as any device can open a plain text file. However, you lose dynamic transposition, metadata tags (like {title} or {tempo}), and automatic formatting. The main trade-off is sacrificing software-driven flexibility for maximum compatibility. If you need to transpose the song later or change formatting on the fly, this conversion is a bad idea.

Typical Tasks and Users

• Band Leaders and Directors: Distributing setlists and chord charts to band members who only have basic smartphones or generic text editors.
• Musicians and Guitarists: Archiving static versions of songs in standard folders without relying on proprietary or specialized apps.
• Content Creators: Preparing chord sheets to copy and paste into forums, emails, or video descriptions where markup languages are not supported.

Software & Tool Support

You can open and edit .CHO files using dedicated sheet music software. To convert or view these files, several tools are available:

• ChordPro: The official open-source reference implementation includes command-line tools to parse and convert .CHO files.
• Songbook: A paid app by LinkeSOFT that natively reads, edits, and transposes .CHO files across multiple platforms.
• OnSong: A popular iOS app for live performance that imports .CHO and can export to standard text formats.
• MobileSheets: A sheet music reader for Android and Windows that supports ChordPro markup.
• Text Editors: Because both formats are text-based, you can open them in Notepad++, VS Code, or Sublime Text. However, these editors will not render the chords over the lyrics automatically.

Pros and Cons of the Conversion

Pros:

• Universal Compatibility: Every operating system and device can open a .TXT file natively.
• Zero Software Requirements: Recipients do not need to buy or install apps like OnSong or Songbook.
• Easy Portability: Plain text is easy to copy and paste into emails, web pages, or chat applications.

Cons:

• Loss of Transposition: Once converted to .TXT, the chords are static. You can no longer click a button to change the key from C to G.
• Strict Font Dependency: The "chords over lyrics" format relies entirely on monospaced fonts (like Courier or Consolas). If the .TXT file is viewed in a proportional font (like Arial or Times New Roman), the chords will misalign from the lyrics.
• Metadata Loss: Directives for chorus indentation, grid diagrams, tempo, and metadata are stripped or converted to plain text strings, losing their structural purpose.

Conversion Difficulties & Why Convert.Guru

The main technical difficulty when you convert .CHO to .TXT is layout mapping. A .CHO file uses inline markup, placing the chord exactly where it belongs within the word (e.g., A[D]mazing [G]Grace). To create a readable .TXT file, the conversion pipeline must parse the string, extract the chord, create a new line above the lyrics, and calculate the exact character offsets (using spaces) to place the chord directly above the correct syllable.

If the parser miscalculates the character count, the chords will shift, making the sheet unplayable. Convert.Guru handles this parsing accurately. It calculates the exact character spacing required to align chords over lyrics and outputs a clean, standard .TXT file. It manages the layout mapping automatically, saving you from using command-line interfaces or manually formatting text files.

CHO vs. TXT: What is the better choice?

Which format should you choose?

Choose .CHO if you are actively performing, need to transpose keys, or use dedicated sheet music applications. It is the superior format for musicians who need flexibility on stage.

Choose .TXT if you need to send a quick chord sheet to someone without specialized software, or if you are pasting chords into a plain text environment.

Avoid .TXT if you plan to edit the song structure later or if you cannot guarantee the recipient will use a monospaced font. If you want to guarantee that chords stay perfectly aligned over lyrics regardless of the device or font settings, you should convert .CHO to .PDF instead.

Conclusion

Converting .CHO to .TXT makes sense when you need to share chord sheets universally without requiring the recipient to install specialized software. The biggest limitation to watch for is the strict reliance on monospaced fonts; if viewed in a standard proportional font, your chords will lose alignment with the lyrics. Convert.Guru provides a reliable, accurate way to process this exact conversion, ensuring that the character spacing is calculated correctly so your plain text chord sheets remain readable and ready to play.