Convert RTF to WIKI

Why Convert RTF to MediaWiki?

MediaWiki markup is the lightweight markup language that powers Wikipedia and thousands of collaborative wikis worldwide. Converting RTF documents to Wiki format enables you to create editable encyclopedia articles, build collaborative knowledge bases, and establish community-driven documentation with full revision history, discussion pages, and multi-user editing capabilities.

When you have documentation, articles, or reference material in RTF format, converting to MediaWiki allows you to leverage its collaborative features: revision history tracking, talk pages for discussion, user watchlists, categories for organization, and templates for reusable content. MediaWiki is the engine behind Wikipedia, Wikimedia projects, and countless corporate and educational wikis, making it the most widely-deployed wiki software in the world.

This conversion is valuable for content creators, educators, documentation teams, and open knowledge advocates who want to publish content in wiki format. MediaWiki's plain-text markup ensures content remains accessible and searchable, works perfectly with version control, and allows anyone to contribute and edit. The format's simplicity lowers the barrier to entry for collaborative writing and knowledge sharing.

The resulting WIKI file contains plain text with MediaWiki markup that can be directly pasted into MediaWiki sites, Wikipedia drafts, or wiki editors. MediaWiki's powerful features include internal linking with [[Page Name]], external links, citation templates, infoboxes, categories for organization, image embedding, table formatting, and mathematical formulas using LaTeX syntax. The markup is human-readable and can be edited in any text editor.

Key Advantages of MediaWiki Format:

• Wikipedia Standard: Same markup used by millions on Wikipedia
• Collaborative: Multi-user editing with complete revision history
• Simple Markup: Easy to learn: '''bold''', ''italic'', [[links]]
• Internal Linking: Connect pages with [[Page Name]] syntax
• Templates: Reusable content blocks with {{template}}
• Categories: Organize content into hierarchical categories
• Version Control: Every edit tracked with diff and rollback
• Discussion: Talk pages for every article

Practical Examples

Example 1: Converting Encyclopedia Article

Input RTF file (article.rtf):

Python Programming Language
Python is a high-level programming language.

History
Created by Guido van Rossum in 1991.

Features:
- Easy to learn
- Extensive libraries
- Cross-platform support

Output WIKI file (article.wiki):

= Python Programming Language =

'''Python''' is a high-level programming language.

== History ==
Created by [[Guido van Rossum]] in 1991.

== Features ==
* Easy to learn
* Extensive libraries
* Cross-platform support

[[Category:Programming Languages]]

Example 2: Converting Technical Documentation

Input RTF file (docs.rtf):

API Documentation
Installation
To install, run: pip install mypackage

Usage Example
Import the library:
import mypackage

Note: Requires Python 3.8 or higher.
See also: Configuration Guide

Output WIKI file (docs.wiki):

= API Documentation =

== Installation ==
To install, run:
 pip install mypackage

== Usage Example ==
Import the library:

import mypackage


{{Note|Requires Python 3.8 or higher.}}

See also: [[Configuration Guide]]

Example 3: Converting Knowledge Base Article

Input RTF file (kb_article.rtf):

How to Reset Password
Overview
This guide explains password reset procedures.

Steps:
1. Click "Forgot Password" link
2. Enter your email address
3. Check your inbox for reset link
4. Create new password

Related Articles:
- Account Security
- Two-Factor Authentication

Output WIKI file (kb_article.wiki):

= How to Reset Password =

== Overview ==
This guide explains password reset procedures.

== Steps ==
# Click "Forgot Password" link
# Enter your email address
# Check your inbox for reset link
# Create new password

== Related Articles ==
* [[Account Security]]
* [[Two-Factor Authentication]]

[[Category:User Guides]]
[[Category:Security]]

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is MediaWiki markup and where is it used?

MediaWiki markup is the lightweight markup language used by Wikipedia and MediaWiki-powered wikis. Syntax: '''bold''', ''italic'', == headings ==, [[internal links]], [http://example.com external links], * lists, {| tables |}. It's used by Wikipedia (300+ language editions), Wikimedia projects (Wiktionary, Wikibooks, Wikiversity), and thousands of corporate, educational, and community wikis. MediaWiki is the most popular wiki software worldwide.

Q: How do I create links in MediaWiki?

Internal links (to other wiki pages): [[Page Name]] or [[Page Name|Display Text]]. External links: [http://example.com] or [http://example.com Link Text]. Section links: [[Page#Section]]. Category links: [[Category:Name]]. Interwiki links: [[wikipedia:Article]]. Pipe trick shortcuts: [[Page|]] uses page name without disambiguation. Link to images: [[File:Image.png|thumb|Caption]]. MediaWiki automatically handles link formatting and creates red links for non-existent pages.

Q: What are MediaWiki templates?

Templates are reusable content blocks: {{template name|param1|param2}}. Common uses: infoboxes ({{Infobox person|name=...}}), citation templates ({{cite web|url=...|title=...}}), navigation boxes, notices ({{Note|text}}), multilingual snippets. Templates can include logic, variables, and parser functions. They reduce duplication and ensure consistent formatting. Wikipedia has 1000s of templates. You can create custom templates in your wiki for repeated content.

Q: How do I format tables in MediaWiki?

Use pipe syntax: {| table start, |+ caption, |- new row, ! header cell, | data cell, |} table end. Example: {|, |- , ! Header 1 !! Header 2, |-, | Cell 1 || Cell 2, |}. Add attributes: {| class="wikitable" for styling. MediaWiki supports colspan, rowspan, cell alignment, colors. For simple tables, use class="wikitable sortable" to make columns sortable. Visual editors often provide table tools.

Q: Can I include images in MediaWiki markup?

Yes: [[File:Image.png|options]]. Options: thumb (thumbnail), frame (framed), px size (200px), left/right/center alignment, alt text, caption. Example: [[File:Logo.png|thumb|right|200px|Company logo]]. Images must be uploaded to the wiki first via Special:Upload. MediaWiki supports PNG, JPG, GIF, SVG. For Wikipedia, images must be on Wikimedia Commons. You can link to images without displaying: [[:File:Image.png]].

Q: How does version control work in MediaWiki?

Every edit is saved in page history (View History tab). Shows: who edited, when, edit summary, diff of changes. You can compare any two versions, revert to previous version, view deleted revisions (for admins). Recent Changes shows all wiki edits. Watchlist lets you monitor specific pages. User contributions track individual editors. All changes are permanent and auditable. This makes MediaWiki ideal for collaborative content where accountability matters.

Q: What are categories in MediaWiki?

Categories organize pages: add [[Category:Name]] to page bottom. Pages appear in category listings. Hierarchical: categories can be subcategories. Example: [[Category:Programming Languages]] might be in [[Category:Computer Science]]. View all pages in category at Category:Name page. Categories enable browsing related content, finding similar articles, and organizing wikis. Wikipedia uses extensive category trees. You can view category tree with Special:CategoryTree.

Q: How does MediaWiki compare to other wiki systems?

MediaWiki (Wikipedia's engine): Most feature-rich, complex markup, templates, categories, excellent for large wikis. DokuWiki: Simpler, file-based (no database), good for small wikis. Confluence: Commercial, WYSIWYG editor, enterprise features. GitHub/GitLab wikis: Markdown-based, Git-backed, developer-focused. TikiWiki: Full CMS with wiki. Choice depends on: scale (MediaWiki for large), simplicity (DokuWiki for small), collaboration style (MediaWiki for open, Confluence for enterprise).