RTF File

Rich Text Format (.rtf)

What is a RTF file?

An RTF file (Rich Text Format) is a text document that can include basic formatting like bold, italics, fonts, and simple layout while remaining broadly compatible across different word processors and operating systems.

Common uses

Sharing formatted text between different word processors
Documents that need wide compatibility
Basic templates (letters, notes, simple forms)
Export format from older systems and apps
Moving text with formatting without complex features

How to open a RTF file

Windows: WordPad, Microsoft Word, LibreOffice
macOS: TextEdit, Microsoft Word, LibreOffice
Mobile: Word apps or document viewers/editors
Online: Google Docs (import/open)

Common problems

Some advanced formatting doesn’t carry over (tables, complex styles)
Fonts may substitute if not installed
Large RTF files can load slowly in basic editors
Incorrect encoding can cause weird characters
RTF can contain embedded objects (be cautious with unknown sources)

History

RTF was created by Microsoft in the late 1980s to make it easier to exchange formatted text between applications. Even as newer formats like .docx became common, RTF stayed popular for compatibility because many programs can read it without special converters.