Convert RTF to RST

Why Convert RTF to RST?

RST (reStructuredText) is the standard markup language for Python documentation and technical writing. Converting RTF documents to RST format enables you to create professional documentation for ReadTheDocs, Sphinx-based projects, Python packages, and technical manuals with advanced features like cross-references, automatic API documentation, and table of contents generation.

When you have technical documentation, user guides, or API references stored in RTF format, converting to RST allows you to integrate them into Sphinx documentation systems, ReadTheDocs hosting, and Python project documentation. RST's powerful directive system supports code highlighting, admonitions (notes, warnings), images, tables, and cross-referencing between documents.

This conversion is essential for Python developers, technical writers, documentation specialists, and open-source maintainers who need to create professional documentation. RST is the foundation of Sphinx, the most popular documentation tool in the Python ecosystem, used by projects like Django, Flask, NumPy, and thousands of packages on PyPI.

The resulting RST file contains plain text with semantic markup that Sphinx can transform into beautiful HTML, PDF, EPUB, or LaTeX documentation. RST's extensibility through custom directives and roles makes it more powerful than Markdown for complex documentation needs, while remaining human-readable and version-control friendly.

Key Advantages of RST Format:

• Sphinx Integration: Industry standard for Python documentation
• Powerful Directives: .. code-block::, .. note::, .. toctree::
• Cross-References: Link between documents with :ref: and :doc:
• Extensible: Create custom directives and roles
• ReadTheDocs: Native support for automatic documentation hosting
• Version Control: Plain text works perfectly with Git

Practical Examples

Example 1: Converting Python Documentation

Input RTF file (python_guide.rtf):

Python Tutorial
Introduction
Welcome to Python programming.

Installation
To install Python, download from python.org and run the installer.

Example code:
def hello():
    print("Hello, World!")

Note: Use Python 3.8 or higher.

Output RST file (python_guide.rst):

Python Tutorial
===============

Introduction
------------

Welcome to Python programming.

Installation
------------

To install Python, download from python.org and run the installer.

Example code:

.. code-block:: python

   def hello():
       print("Hello, World!")

.. note::
   Use Python 3.8 or higher.

Example 2: Converting API Documentation

Input RTF file (api_docs.rtf):

API Reference
User Class
The User class represents a registered user.

Methods:
get_name() - Returns the user's full name
get_email() - Returns the user's email address

Warning: Always validate email addresses.

Output RST file (api_docs.rst):

API Reference
=============

User Class
----------

The User class represents a registered user.

Methods
~~~~~~~

``get_name()``
    Returns the user's full name

``get_email()``
    Returns the user's email address

.. warning::
   Always validate email addresses.

Example 3: Converting Technical Guide with Table

Input RTF file (config_guide.rtf):

Configuration Guide
Database Settings
Parameter	Default	Description
host	localhost	Database server
port	5432	Connection port
timeout	30	Connection timeout in seconds

Output RST file (config_guide.rst):

Configuration Guide
===================

Database Settings
-----------------

=========  ===========  =============================
Parameter  Default      Description
=========  ===========  =============================
host       localhost    Database server
port       5432         Connection port
timeout    30           Connection timeout in seconds
=========  ===========  =============================

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is RST and how is it used?

RST (reStructuredText) is a lightweight markup language designed for technical documentation. It's the standard format for Python documentation, used by Sphinx to generate HTML/PDF docs. RST uses plain text with special syntax for headers (underlines with =, -, ~), code blocks (.. code-block::), and directives (.. note::, .. warning::). It's human-readable yet powerful enough for professional documentation.

Q: How does RST compare to Markdown?

RST is more powerful and extensible than Markdown. While Markdown is simpler for basic formatting, RST offers advanced features: directives (.. toctree::, .. automodule::), roles (:ref:, :doc:), semantic markup, and extensibility through custom directives. RST is preferred for large documentation projects, technical manuals, and Python packages. Markdown is better for simple README files and blog posts.

Q: What is Sphinx and how does it use RST?

Sphinx is a documentation generator that converts RST files into beautiful HTML, PDF, EPUB, and other formats. It's the standard tool for Python documentation (used by Python itself, Django, Flask, NumPy). Sphinx reads RST files, processes directives like .. automodule:: to extract docstrings from Python code, builds cross-references with :ref: and :doc:, and generates professional documentation with themes, search, and navigation.

Q: How do I create headers in RST?

RST headers use underlines (and optionally overlines) with specific characters. Convention: = for document title (with overline), = for parts, - for chapters, ~ for sections, ^ for subsections. Example: "Chapter Title" followed by a line of dashes (-------). The underline must be at least as long as the title text. Sphinx automatically generates table of contents from headers.

Q: Can RST include code blocks?

Yes, RST has excellent code block support. Use .. code-block:: python directive for syntax-highlighted code. Inline code uses double backticks: ``variable_name``. Sphinx supports syntax highlighting for 300+ languages via Pygments. You can also use literal blocks (indented paragraphs preceded by ::) for simple code without syntax highlighting.

Q: What are RST directives?

Directives are RST's extension mechanism, written as .. directive_name:: followed by arguments and content. Common directives: .. note:: (admonition), .. image:: (insert image), .. code-block:: (syntax-highlighted code), .. toctree:: (table of contents), .. automodule:: (extract Python docstrings). You can create custom directives for specialized documentation needs.

Q: How do I create tables in RST?

RST supports two table formats: grid tables (using +, -, | characters to draw borders) and simple tables (using = for separators). Grid tables support complex layouts with merged cells. Example: +-----+-----+ creates column dividers. For simple tables, use === to separate header from content. Sphinx also supports CSV-table and list-table directives for easier table creation.

Q: What's the difference between roles and directives in RST?

Directives are block-level elements (.. note::, .. code-block::) that create new content blocks. Roles are inline markup (:ref:`label`, :class:`ClassName`, :doc:`filename`) used within paragraphs. Think of directives as standalone sections and roles as inline formatting. Roles use single backticks with colons, while directives use double dots and double colons.