Sample Files
Details
RTF
Rich Text Format
About
What is .RTF?
.rtf (Rich Text Format) is a document format that stores text and basic formatting such as bold, italics, fonts, colors, and simple layout. RTF files are readable by many word processors and text editors, making them ideal for exchanging formatted text across platforms.
History
Origin of RTF
The RTF (Rich Text Format) specification was introduced by Microsoft in 1987 as a cross-platform document format that could retain basic text formatting while remaining readable as plain text. RTF stores text and styling using human-readable control words and symbols rather than binary encoding. The format played a major role in document exchange between word processors before open standards like Office Open XML and PDF became widespread. Although no longer updated after 2008, RTF remains supported for compatibility and interoperability.
Learn more at: https://www.microsoft.com
Benefits
Universally supported by most word processors
Human-readable and easy to parse programmatically
Supports formatting without relying on complex binary structures
More portable than DOC and simpler than DOCX
Ideal for safe document interchange without macros
Usage
Open and edit in Microsoft Word, WordPad, LibreOffice, Google Docs (import), or any RTF-compatible editor
Use RTF to safely exchange documents without macro-enabled risks
Convert RTF to DOCX, PDF, or HTML using Word or online tools
Use RTF for formatted reports in software that lacks DOCX/PDF export
Use Cases
Common Use Cases
Here are the use cases for this file extension
Basic Document Formatting
RTF is commonly used for letters, notes, resumes, and simple documents requiring formatting.
Cross-Platform File Exchange
Because most word processors support RTF, it is widely used for sharing formatted text across systems.
Application Output & Reports
Many legacy applications generate RTF for formatted text exports.
Compatibility
Supported By
This extension is compatible with the following platforms.
Windows (native WordPad/Word support)
macOS (TextEdit, Word)
Linux (LibreOffice, AbiWord)
Android (various document viewer apps)
iOS / iPadOS (native via Apple Pages)
Web Browsers (via converters or viewers)
More Details
Technical Specs
Here are some technical details about this extension
File Extension
.rtf
MIME Type
application/rtf
Encoding Structure
Human-readable control words (ASCII/Unicode)
Formatting Support
Fonts, colors, bold/italic/underline, paragraphs, tables (limited)
Embedded Support
Images, objects (limited compatibility)
Metadata Support
Partial (document info fields)
Typical Use
Formatted text interchange, simple documents, safe text exports
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Got Questions?
Get answers to common questions
Yes. Although development stopped in 2008, RTF remains supported by most modern editors and is still used for simple formatted documents and cross-platform exchange.
RTF supports embedded images and basic tables, but features are limited compared to formats like DOCX.
RTF can be converted into PDF, DOCX, or HTML using tools like Microsoft Word, LibreOffice, or online conversion services.