RTF (Rich Text Format) is a universal document format developed by Microsoft that can be opened by virtually any word processor. It preserves text formatting while ensuring maximum compatibility across different platforms and software.

Will my formatting be preserved?

Basic formatting like fonts, colors, bold, italic, tables, and images are preserved. However, advanced Word features like SmartArt, macros, and track changes may not be supported in RTF.

Convert DOCX to RTF

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Max file size 100mb.

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DOCX vs RTF Format Comparison

Aspect	DOCX (Source Format)	RTF (Target Format)
Format Overview	DOCX Office Open XML Document Microsoft's modern document format with advanced features, multimedia support, and complex layouts optimized for Word. XML-Based Microsoft Standard	RTF Rich Text Format Universal document format developed by Microsoft for cross-platform document interchange. Supported by virtually all word processors. Text-Based Universal Standard
Technical Specifications	Structure: ZIP with XML files Encoding: UTF-8/UTF-16 Compression: ZIP compression Version: Office 2007+ Extensions: .docx, .docm	Structure: ASCII text with markup Encoding: ASCII/Unicode Compression: None (plain text) Version: RTF 1.9.1 Extensions: .rtf
Formatting Support	Advanced text formatting Custom styles and themes Complex table layouts Embedded images and media SmartArt and charts Track changes and comments Macros (DOCM)	Basic to moderate formatting Font styles and colors Simple tables Embedded images Headers and footers Paragraph formatting Page breaks
Advantages	Smaller file sizes Advanced features Native Word integration Modern XML structure Better media handling	Universal compatibility Human-readable format No software lock-in Cross-platform support Preserves basic formatting
Disadvantages	Requires newer software Limited backward compatibility Complex internal structure Microsoft-centric	Larger file sizes Limited advanced features No macro support Basic multimedia handling
Compatibility	Excellent: MS Word 2007+, Google Docs Good: LibreOffice, WPS Office Limited: Older Word versions	Universal: All word processors Excellent: MS Word, WordPad, TextEdit Perfect: Cross-platform editors
Common Uses	Business documents Academic papers Professional reports Complex layouts Collaborative editing	Document exchange Legacy system support Cross-platform sharing Email attachments Universal backups
File Size Comparison	10-page document with images: Text only: ~30-50 KB With formatting: ~60-80 KB With images: ~200 KB - 2 MB	Same document in RTF: Text only: ~80-120 KB With formatting: ~150-200 KB With images: ~500 KB - 5 MB

Why Convert DOCX to RTF?

Converting DOCX to RTF ensures maximum compatibility across different word processors, operating systems, and software versions. RTF is the universal format for document exchange when you need to preserve formatting while ensuring the recipient can open the file regardless of their software.

What is preserved during conversion?

Text Formatting: Bold, italic, underline, strikethrough
Fonts: Font family, size, and color
Paragraphs: Alignment, indentation, spacing
Tables: Basic table structure and cell content
Lists: Bullet points and numbered lists
Images: Embedded pictures (may increase file size)
Page Layout: Margins, page breaks, orientation

What might be lost or changed:

Advanced Word features (SmartArt, charts)
Macros and scripts
Some complex table formatting
Track changes and comments
Custom XML data
Document themes and styles

Best practices:

Use RTF for maximum compatibility when sharing documents
Keep formatting simple for best results
Test the converted file in the target application
Consider file size increase, especially with images
Use RTF for documents that need to work everywhere

Perfect for:

Sharing documents with users of different word processors
Submitting manuscripts to publishers
Creating documents for legacy systems
Email attachments when compatibility is crucial
Cross-platform document exchange
Archiving documents in a universal format