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Convert TXT to RTF - Transform Plain Text to Rich Text

Add formatting capabilities to your plain text files. Convert TXT to RTF instantly.

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 Plain Text to RTF?

Plain text files are simple but limited. They contain just characters with no formatting whatsoever - no bold, no italics, no font choices, no colors. When you need to present that same content professionally or add structure to your text, RTF (Rich Text Format) is the answer.

Converting TXT files to RTF unlocks formatting options while maintaining broad compatibility. RTF files open in virtually every word processor - from Microsoft Word to LibreOffice to TextEdit on Mac.

How to Convert TXT to RTF

  1. Upload your TXT file - Drag and drop or click to select your plain text file
  2. Confirm RTF output - RTF is selected as your target format
  3. Download your RTF - Your file now supports rich text formatting

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

TXT vs RTF: Key Differences

Understanding what changes when you convert helps you decide when this conversion makes sense:

  • TXT (Plain Text) - Contains only text characters. No formatting, no fonts, no styling. Maximum compatibility but zero presentation options. Files are typically very small.
  • RTF (Rich Text Format) - Supports bold, italics, underline, fonts, font sizes, colors, alignment, tables, and images. Opens in any word processor. Developed by Microsoft in 1987 for cross-platform document exchange.

In our testing, RTF files are typically 2-3x larger than equivalent TXT files due to the formatting metadata, but still much smaller than DOCX files.

When You Need This Conversion

Preparing Documents for Editing

You have notes or content in plain text that needs professional formatting before sharing. Converting to RTF lets you add headers, emphasis, and structure in any word processor.

Legacy System Exports

Many older systems export data as plain text. Converting to RTF makes these exports easier to read and format for reports or presentations.

Code Comments to Documentation

Developer notes and readme files often start as plain text. RTF conversion allows you to add formatting for clearer documentation that colleagues can edit in standard word processors.

Cross-Platform Document Sharing

RTF works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. If you need formatted text that opens everywhere without requiring specific software, RTF is an excellent choice.

What to Expect After Conversion

Your text content transfers completely. Every character, every line break, every paragraph stays exactly as it was. The difference is what you can do next:

  • Open in Word, LibreOffice, Pages, or any word processor
  • Apply fonts, sizes, and colors
  • Add bold, italics, and underline
  • Create headers and structure
  • Insert images if needed

The RTF file is essentially a blank canvas with your text ready for formatting.

Alternative Formats to Consider

Depending on your needs, other formats might be better suited:

  • TXT to DOCX - For full Microsoft Word compatibility with advanced formatting features
  • TXT to DOC - For compatibility with older Word versions
  • TXT to PDF - When you need a fixed, non-editable document

RTF strikes a balance - more formatting than plain text, broader compatibility than proprietary formats.

Works on Any Device

Our converter runs entirely in your browser:

  • Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
  • iPhone, iPad, Android devices

No downloads, no installations. Convert your TXT files to RTF from anywhere.

Pro Tip

RTF preserves formatting across different word processors better than DOCX when sharing with users on different platforms. If recipients use LibreOffice, Pages, or Google Docs, RTF often displays more consistently than converted DOCX files.

Common Mistake

Expecting the converted RTF to have formatting applied automatically. The conversion gives you an editable rich text file with your content - you still need to apply fonts, colors, and styling yourself in a word processor.

Best For

Plain text content that needs professional formatting for reports, documentation, or sharing. Ideal when recipients use different word processors and you need guaranteed compatibility without losing editability.

Not Recommended

When your plain text will stay plain text. If you just need to share simple text content without formatting, keep it as TXT - smaller files, universal compatibility, and no conversion needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

TXT files contain only plain text characters with no formatting. RTF (Rich Text Format) supports formatting like bold, italics, fonts, colors, and alignment. RTF was developed by Microsoft in 1987 for cross-platform document exchange.

No, all your text content remains exactly the same. Every character, line break, and paragraph transfers intact. The conversion adds RTF formatting capabilities without modifying your actual text.

RTF files open in virtually any word processor: Microsoft Word, LibreOffice Writer, Google Docs, Apple Pages, WordPad on Windows, and TextEdit on Mac. This broad compatibility is one of RTF's main advantages.

RTF offers broader compatibility since it opens in any word processor without conversion. DOCX provides more advanced features like track changes, comments, and complex formatting. Choose RTF for maximum compatibility, DOCX for full Word features.

RTF files are typically 2-3 times larger than equivalent TXT files due to formatting metadata. However, they're still much smaller than DOCX files and the size increase is usually negligible for text documents.

Yes, our converter supports batch processing. Upload multiple TXT files and convert them all to RTF in one operation. Each file converts independently and downloads separately.

No, the converted RTF file contains your plain text ready for formatting. You'll apply any desired formatting (fonts, bold, colors, etc.) yourself using your preferred word processor after conversion.

Yes, RTF supports embedded images, though your source TXT file obviously contains only text. After conversion, you can add images to the RTF file using any word processor.

Yes. The conversion happens entirely in your browser - your files are not uploaded to any server. Your documents stay on your device throughout the entire process.

Use TXT to RTF when you need to edit or format the document after conversion. Use TXT to PDF when you want a fixed, non-editable document for sharing or archiving. RTF is for editable documents, PDF is for final distribution.

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