What is RTF (Rich Text Format)?
Complete guide to the RTF file format
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What is RTF (Rich Text Format)?
RTF (Rich Text Format) is a document format developed by Microsoft in 1987 that supports basic text formatting while maintaining compatibility across different word processors.
RTF files can store text with basic formatting like bold, italic, font sizes, and colors while being readable by virtually any word processing application on any platform.
How RTF Works
RTF encodes a document as plain ASCII text interspersed with backslash-prefixed control words; for example, \b turns on bold and \par starts a new paragraph.[3] Because the entire file is human-readable text, an RTF document can be inspected or even edited in a plain-text editor, and groups enclosed in braces define scope for formatting such as fonts, colors, and tables.[1]
History and Versions
Microsoft introduced RTF in 1987 and revised the specification numerous times through 2008, with version 1.9 being the last, adding support for features that paralleled Word's own capabilities.[3] The Library of Congress tracks the RTF family across these specification revisions and notes that Microsoft discontinued active development of the format, freezing it at version 1.9.[2]
RTF vs DOCX
RTF predates the XML-based DOCX format and trades richness for portability: it reliably preserves basic formatting across word processors and platforms but cannot match the fidelity of native formats for advanced features.[1] Its text-based, openly documented structure has made RTF a durable interchange and archival format even as newer formats became the default.[2]
Technical Details
RTF vs Other Document Formats
| Feature | RTF | DOCX | TXT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure/type | Tagged plain text[3] | Zipped XML | Plain text |
| Editable | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Formatting | Rich[1] | Rich | None |
| Spec published by | Microsoft[2] | ECMA / ISO | None |
| App support | Broad | Broad | Universal |
| Best for | Portable rich text | Full-featured docs | Raw text |
RTF offers portable basic formatting across editors, while DOCX supports far richer document features.
Pros and Cons
Advantages
RTF is supported by Word, LibreOffice, Pages, and virtually all word processors.
Supports fonts, colors, bold, italic without complex DOCX dependencies.
RTF cannot execute macros, making it safer than DOCX for sharing.
RTF is a common format for rich text in email signatures and bodies.
Disadvantages
RTF lacks many modern formatting features available in DOCX.
RTF files use verbose text encoding making them larger than equivalent DOCX files.
RTF is largely replaced by DOCX for document exchange in modern workflows.
Different applications may render complex RTF documents slightly differently.
When to Use RTF (Rich Text Format)
Here are the most common situations where RTF (Rich Text Format) is the right choice:
Legacy Documents
RTF remains useful for sharing documents with very old word processing applications.
Cross-Platform Sharing
RTF provides basic formatted text sharing without Microsoft Office dependency.
Email Content
Rich text email editors often use RTF format for email body formatting.
Safe Document Exchange
RTF is safer than DOCX for receiving formatted documents from unknown sources.
Convert RTF (Rich Text Format) Files
Need to convert your RTF files? Use our free online converter.
Try Document Converter FreeFrequently Asked Questions about RTF (Rich Text Format)
Is RTF better than DOCX?
DOCX has more features, but RTF has broader compatibility. Use RTF when DOCX compatibility is uncertain.
Can I open RTF on iPhone?
Yes, Pages on iPhone and third-party apps like Documents can open RTF files.
How do I convert RTF to DOCX?
Open the RTF in Word or LibreOffice and save as DOCX. Or use our free online converter.
Is RTF safe to open?
Yes, RTF cannot execute macros making it safer than DOCX or XLSM files from unknown sources.
What is the difference between RTF and TXT?
RTF supports basic text formatting (bold, italic, fonts). TXT is completely plain with no formatting.