RTF is a text format that stores words, basic formatting, and nothing else
RTF stands for Rich Text Format. It is a way to save text documents that includes formatting like bold, italics, and underlines, but stops there. Unlike Word documents (.docx files), RTF files do not store images, complex layouts, tables with merged cells, or fancy fonts that only exist on your computer. What you get instead is a simple, portable file that almost any program can open.
RTF was created by Microsoft in 1987 as a middle ground between plain text (which has no formatting at all) and fully featured word processors. The format became useful because it could move between different programs without breaking. A document you saved as RTF on a Mac would look the same when opened on Windows, and vice versa. That portability is still its main strength today.
Key Takeaways
- RTF files contain text with basic formatting like bold and italics, but no images, embedded fonts, or complex page layouts.
- RTF documents open in almost any word processor — Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Apple Pages, and many others — without losing formatting.
- RTF is useful when you need to share a formatted document with someone using different software or an older computer.
- For everyday writing, email, or sharing documents online, you will usually want .docx, .pdf, or Google Docs format instead of RTF.
How RTF stores formatting without special fonts or images
RTF works by embedding invisible instructions into the text itself. When you make a word bold in RTF, the program does not store a special "bold" marker the way modern formats do. Instead, it wraps the word in code that tells any program reading the file: "make this bold." That code is plain text, which means any program can read and understand it, even if the program was written decades after RTF was created.
This approach has a limit: RTF can only store formatting that is truly universal. Bold, italics, underline, font size, and text color all work because every word processor knows what those mean. But RTF cannot store images, because there is no universal way to describe where an image lives or how to display it. It also cannot reliably store complex tables, footnotes, or the kind of page layout that requires precise positioning. If you try to save a Word document with images as RTF, the images disappear.
When you might actually need to use RTF
RTF is most useful when you are sharing a document with someone whose software you do not know. If a colleague uses an old version of Word, or uses LibreOffice instead of Microsoft Office, or uses a Mac and you use Windows, RTF will preserve your formatting where other formats might not. It is also useful for long-term storage of documents you want to keep readable, because RTF is so simple that it will almost certainly be readable fifty years from now, even if Microsoft Word is obsolete.
Some older systems and specialized software still prefer RTF. Certain legal document management systems, some medical record software, and a few publishing workflows still use RTF because it is lightweight and predictable. If you are working with software from the 1990s or 2000s, or if someone specifically asks for RTF, that is when you would use it.
For most everyday work — writing emails, sharing documents with colleagues, storing files in the cloud — you will not need RTF. Google Docs, Microsoft Word's .docx format, and PDF are better choices for different reasons. RTF is the format you reach for when compatibility across very different systems is the main concern.
How to save a document as RTF
In Microsoft Word, open the document you want to save. Click File, then Save As. In the dialog that appears, find the dropdown menu that says "Save as type" (on Windows) or "Format" (on Mac). Scroll down until you see "Rich Text Format (.rtf)" and click it. Choose where you want to save the file and click Save. The document will now be an RTF file.
In Google Docs, click File, then Download, then "Rich Text Format (.rtf)". The file will download to your computer. In Apple Pages, click File, then Export To, then choose "Rich Text Format" from the list. Most other word processors have a similar Save As or Export option where you can choose RTF from a dropdown menu.
RTF versus other common formats
| Format | What it stores | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| RTF (.rtf) | Text with basic formatting (bold, italics, font size) | Sharing with people using very different software or old computers |
| Word (.docx) | Text, formatting, images, tables, complex layouts | Most everyday work; the standard for offices and schools |
| Plain text (.txt) | Text only, no formatting at all | Code, configuration files, or when you need the absolute simplest format |
| PDF (.pdf) | Text, images, and layout exactly as designed; cannot be easily edited | Sharing finished documents that should not be changed; printing |
| Google Docs | Text, formatting, images, comments; stored in the cloud | Collaborating with others in real time; automatic saving |
Why RTF is less common now than it used to be
RTF was important in the 1990s and 2000s because software was fragmented. A document created in WordPerfect might not open correctly in Word, and a Mac file might not work on Windows. RTF solved that problem by being so simple that any program could read it reliably.
Today, that problem has mostly gone away. Microsoft Word (.docx) is so dominant that most people use it, and the few who do not — Google Docs users, for example — can open and edit .docx files without trouble. Cloud storage means documents move between devices automatically. The need for a neutral, ultra-compatible format has shrunk. RTF still exists and still works, but you will rarely need it unless you are working with older software or in a field that has not moved on from it yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open an RTF file in Microsoft Word?
Yes. Word opens RTF files without any problem and displays all the formatting correctly. You can also edit the file and save it as RTF again, or convert it to .docx by using Save As.
Will I lose anything if I save a Word document as RTF?
Yes. Any images, complex tables, embedded fonts, or advanced formatting will be lost or simplified. Basic text formatting like bold and italics will survive. If your document has images or complex layouts, RTF is not the right choice.
Is RTF the same as plain text?
No. Plain text (.txt) has no formatting at all — no bold, no italics, no font sizes. RTF includes basic formatting. Plain text is simpler and more universal, but RTF is more useful if you need to preserve how the document looks.
Should I use RTF to share documents with someone?
Only if you know they are using very old software or if they specifically ask for it. For most sharing, .docx or PDF is better. PDF is best if you do not want the other person to edit the document; .docx is best if they do.
Can I use RTF for a resume or cover letter?
You can, but .docx or PDF is more common. Most employers and schools expect .docx or PDF. RTF will work, but it might look outdated to someone reading it. Check the job posting or application instructions to see what format is requested.