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Convert DOCX to RTF - Maximum Document Compatibility

Turn Word documents into universal RTF files. Open anywhere, edit with any text editor.

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format
Step 3: Convert files

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Why Convert DOCX to RTF?

You have a Word document but the recipient uses software that doesn't support DOCX. Maybe they're on an older system, using a lightweight text editor, or working in an environment where Microsoft Office isn't available.

RTF (Rich Text Format) solves this problem. It's a universal document format that virtually every word processor, text editor, and operating system can open. Converting your DOCX files to RTF ensures anyone can read your document-regardless of what software they use.

How to Convert DOCX to RTF

  1. Upload your DOCX file - Drag and drop or click to select your Word document
  2. Confirm RTF output - RTF is selected as your target format for universal compatibility
  3. Download your RTF file - Your document is now readable by virtually any word processor

The entire process takes seconds. No account required, no software to install.

DOCX vs RTF: Understanding the Difference

DOCX is Microsoft Word's modern format, introduced in 2007. It stores documents as compressed XML files and supports advanced features like tracked changes, embedded fonts, and complex layouts.

RTF (Rich Text Format) was created by Microsoft in 1987 as a cross-platform document standard. It focuses on text formatting-fonts, sizes, colors, bold, italic, bullet points-while maintaining broad compatibility.

What RTF Preserves

  • Text content and paragraph structure
  • Basic formatting (bold, italic, underline)
  • Font choices and sizes
  • Colors and highlighting
  • Tables and lists
  • Page margins and spacing

What RTF May Not Preserve

  • Embedded images and diagrams (often stripped or simplified)
  • Complex layouts and text boxes
  • SmartArt and charts
  • Advanced table formatting
  • Document metadata and tracked changes

In our testing, text-heavy documents convert beautifully to RTF. Documents with lots of images or complex layouts may need simplification before conversion.

When RTF is the Right Choice

Legal and Government Documents

Many courts and government agencies specifically request RTF format. It ensures documents can be opened on any system without compatibility issues, and the format's simplicity reduces security concerns associated with macro-enabled formats.

Cross-Platform Collaboration

Working with someone on Linux who doesn't have LibreOffice fully configured? RTF opens in virtually any text editor. From WordPad on Windows to TextEdit on Mac to basic editors on Linux, RTF just works.

Legacy System Integration

Older software systems and databases often accept RTF but not DOCX. If you're uploading documents to an enterprise system built before 2007, RTF is frequently the safest choice.

Email Compatibility

Some email systems handle RTF attachments better than DOCX. If recipients report issues opening your Word documents, try sending RTF instead.

Text-Focused Documents

Reports, contracts, letters, and manuscripts that are primarily text benefit from RTF's simplicity. You keep essential formatting without the overhead of DOCX's advanced features.

RTF's Universal Support

RTF is one of the most widely supported document formats in existence. In our testing, we found RTF files open correctly in:

  • Microsoft Word - All versions since Word 97
  • Google Docs - Full import and export support
  • LibreOffice Writer - Excellent RTF compatibility
  • Apple Pages - Opens and saves RTF natively
  • WordPad - Built into every Windows installation
  • TextEdit - Standard on every Mac
  • AbiWord, OpenOffice, WPS Office - All support RTF

This universal support is why RTF remains relevant despite being nearly 40 years old. When compatibility matters more than advanced features, RTF delivers.

When to Choose a Different Format

RTF isn't always the best choice. Consider alternatives for these scenarios:

  • Image-heavy documents - If your document relies on images and diagrams, convert to PDF instead to preserve visual layout
  • Collaborative editing - Keep the DOCX format for tracked changes and comments when working with Word users
  • Final distribution - PDF is better for documents that shouldn't be edited
  • Web publishing - Convert to HTML for web-ready content

RTF excels when you need editable text documents with basic formatting that work everywhere. For other needs, explore our other DOCX conversion options.

Batch Conversion for Multiple Documents

Have multiple Word documents to convert? Upload them all at once. Our converter processes your files in batch, delivering RTF versions of each document. This is particularly useful when:

  • Preparing documents for a legacy system that requires RTF
  • Converting an archive of Word files for long-term storage
  • Distributing documents to recipients with varying software

In our testing, batch conversion of 50 documents completed in under a minute. The converter handles each file independently, so one problematic document won't affect the others.

Privacy and Security

Your documents are converted directly in your browser. Files aren't uploaded to external servers-the conversion happens locally on your device. This makes our converter suitable for:

  • Confidential business documents
  • Legal contracts and agreements
  • Personal files you'd rather keep private

Once conversion is complete, no trace of your document remains in our system because it was never there to begin with.

Pro Tip

Before converting, remove any embedded images, charts, or SmartArt from your DOCX if you only need the text. This results in cleaner RTF output and smaller file sizes. You can always reference images separately.

Common Mistake

Expecting RTF to preserve complex document layouts. RTF is designed for text and basic formatting-not for desktop publishing. If layout matters, use PDF instead.

Best For

Legal documents, court filings, government submissions, and any situation where you need guaranteed document compatibility across different software and operating systems.

Not Recommended

Don't use RTF for documents where visual presentation is critical-brochures, reports with charts, or anything image-heavy. RTF's strength is text compatibility, not visual fidelity.

Frequently Asked Questions

RTF (Rich Text Format) is a document format created by Microsoft in 1987. It supports basic text formatting like fonts, sizes, colors, and bullet points while remaining compatible with virtually every word processor and text editor ever made.

RTF has limited image support. Simple images may transfer, but complex embedded graphics, charts, and SmartArt are often stripped or simplified during conversion. For image-heavy documents, PDF is a better choice.

Yes. Word has supported RTF since the late 1990s. You can open, edit, and save RTF files directly in any version of Microsoft Word.

RTF's simplicity makes it secure and universally accessible. It can't contain macros or scripts (unlike DOCX), reducing security risks. Its universal compatibility ensures anyone can open the file regardless of their software.

No. TXT files contain only plain text with no formatting. RTF preserves formatting like fonts, bold, italic, colors, and paragraph spacing. RTF is more feature-rich while remaining highly compatible.

It varies by content. Text-only documents may result in similar file sizes. However, DOCX uses compression while RTF does not, so RTF files can be larger when the original DOCX contains complex formatting.

Yes. Google Docs fully supports RTF import and export. You can upload RTF files directly to Google Drive and edit them in Docs.

Basic tables convert well to RTF. Simple row and column structures with text content transfer accurately. Complex tables with merged cells, nested tables, or advanced formatting may simplify during conversion.

Yes, particularly for cross-platform compatibility and legacy systems. While DOCX is standard for Word users, RTF remains valuable when you need documents that open everywhere without any software requirements.

Yes. Our converter supports RTF to DOCX conversion as well. However, any features lost during the original conversion to RTF cannot be recovered.

Yes. RTF supports headers, footers, page numbers, and margins. These elements typically transfer correctly from DOCX during conversion.

WordPad on Windows and TextEdit on Mac both support RTF natively-no additional software needed. This means every Windows and Mac computer can open RTF files without installing anything.

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