Quick answer
- RTF is a document format that exchanges formatted text and graphics between applications and operating systems, but newer document features and exact layout may not be preserved.
- Open an RTF file with an updated, supported document reader or word processor. On Windows or Mac, use the system’s Open with command if no suitable application is associated with .rtf. On a phone, choose a document application that explicitly supports RTF. A plain-text editor can expose the markup, but control words and encoded data can make the readable text difficult to follow.
- Do not assume an RTF file is harmless because it is text-based. Its registered media type does not permit executable content, but it can reference external files and objects. Microsoft documented a vulnerability in malformed RTF handling in affected Office versions and reported limited exploitation attempts. Use an updated, supported reader and treat unexpected files or external-object prompts cautiously. RTF has no internal confidentiality or integrity protection; its password-hash feature restricts editing but does not encrypt the document against reading.
RTF file: what it is, how to open it, and conversion limits
Microsoft developed Rich Text Format for exchanging formatted text and graphics. An RTF file is normally text-based and organized as control words, control symbols, and brace-delimited groups. A conforming file begins with {\rtf, normally followed by version information such as \rtf1. It can also contain hexadecimal or binary picture data, links, and embedded or linked OLE objects.
RTF can be converted to PDF or another document format, but formatting, layout, newer Word features, and object behavior may change. An unsupported OLE object may retain a stored visual representation while losing its functionality. Compare the converted file with the original before relying on it.
Open a file
Open an RTF file with an updated, supported document reader or word processor. On Windows or Mac, use the system’s Open with command if no suitable application is associated with .rtf. On a phone, choose a document application that explicitly supports RTF. A plain-text editor can expose the markup, but control words and encoded data can make the readable text difficult to follow.
Open an RTF file with an updated, supported document reader or word processor. On Windows or Mac, use the system’s Open with command if no suitable application is associated with .rtf. On a phone, choose a document application that explicitly supports RTF. A plain-text editor can expose the markup, but control words and encoded data can make the readable text difficult to follow.
RTF can be converted to PDF or another document format, but formatting, layout, newer Word features, and object behavior may change. An unsupported OLE object may retain a stored visual representation while losing its functionality. Compare the converted file with the original before relying on it.
File safety
Do not assume an RTF file is harmless because it is text-based. Its registered media type does not permit executable content, but it can reference external files and objects. Microsoft documented a vulnerability in malformed RTF handling in affected Office versions and reported limited exploitation attempts. Use an updated, supported reader and treat unexpected files or external-object prompts cautiously. RTF has no internal confidentiality or integrity protection; its password-hash feature restricts editing but does not encrypt the document against reading.
Do not open the file when its source, double extension, or actual contents do not match what you expected.
Converters
RTF can be converted to PDF or another document format, but formatting, layout, newer Word features, and object behavior may change. An unsupported OLE object may retain a stored visual representation while losing its functionality. Compare the converted file with the original before relying on it.
Work from a copy, then compare image quality, metadata, and layout after conversion.
Frequently asked questions
What is an RTF file format and what is it used for?
RTF, or Rich Text Format, is a Microsoft-developed document format for exchanging formatted text and graphics between applications and operating systems. It is normally text-based and structured with control words, control symbols, and brace-delimited groups.
How do I open an RTF file?
Use an updated, supported document reader or word processor that recognizes RTF. If the file association is missing, select a suitable application through the system’s Open with command. A text editor can inspect the markup, although the control codes may obscure the document text.
How do I open an RTF file on Windows?
On Windows, use an updated document reader or word processor that supports RTF. If double-clicking fails, use Open with. A text editor may show the {\rtf marker and control words instead of the formatted document.
How do I open an RTF file on a Mac?
On a Mac, choose an updated document reader or word processor that declares RTF support. If necessary, use Open With. A text editor may expose hexadecimal or binary picture data instead of rendering the graphics.
How do I open an RTF file on a phone?
On a phone, select a document application that explicitly supports RTF. If the file opens as dense control codes or plain markup, the chosen application is displaying the text structure rather than rendering the formatted document.
Why will my RTF file not open or display correctly?
The file may be malformed, or the reader may support only a subset or an older revision of RTF. Try an updated, supported reader. If the file opens as text, check whether it starts with {\rtf; this identifies the expected RTF structure but does not prove that the rest of the file is intact.
Should I use an RTF file or a DOCX file for newer Word features?
RTF 1.9.1 is the last specification release and corresponds to Word 2007. Later Word features may be unsupported, and saving as RTF may not reliably preserve formatting, layout, or other document features. When those features matter, do not rely on RTF; use DOCX only if the receiving application supports it.
How do I convert an RTF file to PDF without losing the layout?
Open the RTF in a supported reader and use that application’s available PDF export or print-to-PDF function. Exact preservation is not guaranteed because RTF layout, newer features, and objects may be interpreted differently. Compare the PDF with the original before using it.
Why does converting an RTF file to DOCX lose formatting or object functions?
Applications can implement different subsets or revisions of RTF, and RTF may not preserve later Word features reliably. Unsupported embedded or linked OLE objects can retain a stored appearance while losing their functionality. Inspect the converted DOCX against the original.
Is an RTF file safe to open when it arrives by email?
The extension alone does not establish safety. RTF can reference external files and objects, and Microsoft documented malformed RTF vulnerabilities in affected Office versions. Use an updated reader, avoid unneeded external content, and confirm the sender when appropriate.
Related formats
Sources
Rich Text Format (RTF) Specification, Version 1.9.1 · Microsoft Corporation
IANA Media Type Registration: application/rtf · Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA)
IANA Media Type Registration: text/rtf · Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA)
Rich Text Format (RTF) Family · Library of Congress
Microsoft Security Bulletin MS15-033 — Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office Could Allow Remote Code Execution · Microsoft Security Response Center