Convert SXW to RTF
Max file size 100mb.
SXW vs RTF Format Comparison
| Aspect | SXW (Source Format) | RTF (Target Format) |
|---|---|---|
| Format Overview |
SXW
StarOffice/OpenOffice.org Writer Document
SXW is a legacy document format used by StarOffice and early versions of OpenOffice.org Writer. It is a ZIP archive containing XML files (content.xml, styles.xml, meta.xml) that define the document structure, formatting, and metadata. SXW was the predecessor to the modern ODT format and is still readable by LibreOffice, OpenOffice, and Pandoc. Legacy Document ZIP/XML Archive |
RTF
Rich Text Format
RTF is a document file format developed by Microsoft for cross-platform document interchange. It supports text formatting, fonts, colors, images, and basic layout features. RTF files can be opened by virtually all word processors and text editors, making it a universal exchange format for formatted text. Document Cross-Platform |
| Technical Specifications |
Structure: ZIP archive containing XML files
Creator: StarOffice/OpenOffice.org Writer Content Files: content.xml, styles.xml, meta.xml MIME Type: application/vnd.sun.xml.writer Extension: .sxw |
Structure: Tagged text with control words and groups
Encoding: 7-bit ASCII with Unicode escapes Standard: Microsoft RTF Specification 1.9.1 MIME Type: application/rtf Extension: .rtf |
| Syntax Examples |
SXW contains XML content within a ZIP archive: <!-- content.xml inside .sxw -->
<office:body>
<text:p text:style-name="Standard">
Hello World
</text:p>
<text:p text:style-name="Heading1">
Chapter Title
</text:p>
</office:body>
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RTF uses control words for formatting: {\rtf1\ansi\deff0
{\fonttbl{\f0 Arial;}}
{\colortbl;\red0\green0\blue0;}
\f0\fs24 Hello World\par
\b Chapter Title\b0\par
}
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| Version History |
Introduced: 2002 with StarOffice 6.0 / OpenOffice.org 1.0
Based On: XML-based office document format Superseded By: ODT (ODF 1.0, 2005) Status: Legacy format, still readable |
Introduced: 1987 by Microsoft
Latest Version: RTF 1.9.1 (2008) Status: Stable, widely supported Developer: Microsoft Corporation |
| Software Support |
LibreOffice: Full read/write support
OpenOffice: Native format support Pandoc: Reads SXW as ODT variant Calligra Suite: Import support |
Microsoft Word: Full read/write support
LibreOffice: Full read/write support Google Docs: Import and export TextEdit (macOS): Native RTF support |
Why Convert SXW to RTF?
Converting SXW to RTF allows you to transform legacy StarOffice and OpenOffice.org Writer documents into a universally compatible format. SXW files were created by early versions of these office suites, and while modern applications can still open them, converting to RTF ensures the content is accessible across virtually every word processor and text editor.
RTF is one of the most widely supported document formats ever created. Unlike SXW, which requires specific office suite software, RTF files can be opened on any platform without installing additional software. This makes RTF an ideal target format when you need to share legacy SXW documents with users who may not have LibreOffice or OpenOffice installed.
The conversion preserves text formatting, paragraph styles, and document structure from the original SXW file. While some advanced features specific to the StarOffice XML format may be simplified, the core content and formatting translate well to RTF's control word syntax. This is particularly valuable for archival purposes and document migration projects.
Our converter extracts the content from the SXW ZIP archive, parses the XML structure, and generates a properly formatted RTF document. The process handles character encoding, paragraph styles, and basic formatting to produce an RTF file that looks consistent across different applications.
Key Benefits of Converting SXW to RTF:
- Universal Compatibility: RTF files open in virtually every word processor on every platform
- Format Preservation: Text formatting, fonts, and paragraph styles are maintained
- Legacy Migration: Move outdated SXW documents to a more accessible format
- No Special Software: Recipients do not need LibreOffice or OpenOffice to open RTF files
- Archival Quality: RTF is a stable, well-documented format suitable for long-term storage
- Easy Editing: RTF files can be modified in any word processor or even a text editor
Practical Examples
Example 1: Business Letter Migration
A company discovers archived business letters in SXW format from a 2003 StarOffice installation. Converting them to RTF allows any employee to open and read the letters without installing LibreOffice. The formatting, letterhead text, and paragraph styles are preserved in the RTF output, making the documents immediately usable.
Example 2: Academic Paper Archival
A university professor has research papers saved in SXW format from the early OpenOffice.org era. Converting to RTF ensures these papers can be opened by reviewers and collaborators using any word processor, including Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or Apple Pages. The text content, headings, and basic formatting transfer cleanly to RTF.
Example 3: Government Document Conversion
A government agency needs to make legacy SXW documents available to the public. Since RTF is supported natively on Windows (WordPad), macOS (TextEdit), and Linux, converting to RTF eliminates the need for citizens to download specialized software. The conversion preserves the official document structure while maximizing accessibility.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is an SXW file?
A: SXW is a document format created by StarOffice and early versions of OpenOffice.org Writer. It is a ZIP archive containing XML files that define the document content, styles, and metadata. SXW was introduced in 2002 and was later superseded by the ODT format when the OpenDocument Format (ODF) standard was adopted in 2005.
Q: Will my SXW document formatting be preserved in RTF?
A: Yes, basic formatting such as bold, italic, underline, font families, sizes, colors, paragraph alignment, and list structures are preserved during conversion. However, some advanced StarOffice-specific features like complex frames or embedded OLE objects may be simplified in the RTF output.
Q: Can RTF files be opened without special software?
A: Yes. RTF is supported natively by WordPad on Windows, TextEdit on macOS, and most Linux text editors. Additionally, all major word processors including Microsoft Word, LibreOffice, Google Docs, and Apple Pages can open RTF files without any plugins.
Q: Why not just open SXW files directly in LibreOffice?
A: While LibreOffice can open SXW files, converting to RTF is beneficial when sharing documents with people who do not have LibreOffice installed, when archiving documents in a more universal format, or when integrating with workflows that expect RTF input.
Q: Are images from SXW documents included in the RTF output?
A: The converter focuses on extracting text content and formatting from SXW files. Embedded images may be included in the RTF output depending on their format and encoding within the SXW archive. For best results with image-heavy documents, consider converting to DOCX or PDF instead.
Q: Is SXW the same as ODT?
A: Not exactly. SXW is the predecessor to ODT. Both are ZIP archives containing XML files, but they use different XML schemas. SXW uses the StarOffice XML format, while ODT uses the standardized OpenDocument Format (ODF). Modern office suites treat SXW similarly to ODT when reading files.
Q: Can I convert multiple SXW files to RTF at once?
A: Yes, our converter supports batch conversion. You can upload multiple SXW files simultaneously and each will be converted to RTF individually. This is especially useful for bulk migration of legacy document archives.
Q: What is the maximum file size for SXW to RTF conversion?
A: Our online converter handles SXW files of typical document sizes. Since SXW files are ZIP-compressed, they are generally small. Very large files with many embedded objects may take longer to process but will be converted successfully.