Hello friends! Today we are going to talk about an unusual file format called rtf. From the article you will learn a little about the history of the creation of this extension, how to open the rtf format, what programs are used for this. Since this file is quite common, there are many applications that can open and edit it. In this article, I will give only a few of the best utilities that can open this type of file.
Rtf format - first acquaintance
This format saves text files that support formatted text. Back in 1982, Microsoft programmers suggested using the rtf extension, which could later be formatted. Since then, this file format has become supported by almost all GPUs. The most famous of these is, of course, Microsoft Word.
How to open rtf - a selection of programs
As you already understood, in order to work with this file we need a text editor. Since the format is the brainchild of Microsoft, it took care of its users and built a free text editor called WordPad right into Windows that works with this type of extensions. But there are also alternative programs. Among the most advanced alternatives are:
- AbiWord
- Openoffice
These two freeware programs will easily open any file with the rtf extension. It makes no sense to list all other applications, since the opening process is identical for all of them. The only difference between them is in the interface and customization. The two programs above are leaders in the free word processor niche, so I recommend using one of them.
The most common reason for problems with opening the RTF file is simply the lack of appropriate applications installed on your computer. In this case, it is enough to find, download and install an application that serves files in RTF format - such programs are available below.
Search system
Enter the file extension
Help
prompt
It should be noted that some encoded data from files that our computer does not read can sometimes be viewed in Notepad. This way we will read chunks of text or numbers - It is worth checking if this method also works in the case of RTF files.
What if an app from the list has already been installed?
Often, an installed application should automatically link to a RTF file. If this did not happen, then the RTF file can be successfully linked with the newly installed application manually. It is enough to right-click on the RTF file, and then select the "Select default program" option among the available ones. Then you need to select the "View" option and find your favorite application. The introduced changes must be confirmed with the "OK" option.
Programs that open the RTF file
Windows
Mac OS
Linux
Android
Why can't I open the RTF file?
Problems with the RTF files can also have a different background. Sometimes even installing software on the computer that serves RTF files will not solve the problem. The reason for the inability to open, as well as work with the RTF file can also be:
Inconsistent RTF File Links in Registry Entries
- corruption of the RTF file that we open
- RTF file infection (viruses)
- too little computer resource
- outdated drivers
- elimination of the RTF extension from the Windows registry
- incomplete installation of the program serving the RTF extension
The elimination of these problems should lead to free opening and working with RTF files. In case the computer still has problems with the files, you need to use the help of an expert who will establish the exact cause.
My computer is not showing file extensions, what should I do?
In standard Windows installations, a computer user does not see the RTF file extension. This can be successfully changed in the settings. It is enough to enter the "Control Panel" and select "Appearance and Personalization". Then you need to enter the "Folder Options", and open the "View". In the "View" tab there is an option "Hide extensions of known file types" - you must select this option and confirm the operation by pressing the "OK" button. At this point, all file extensions, including RTF, should appear sorted by file name.
RTF (Rich Text Format) is a text format that is more advanced than regular TXT. The goal of the developers was to create a format that is easy to read documents and e-books. This was achieved thanks to the introduction of support for meta tags. Let's find out which programs can operate on objects with the RTF extension.
Three groups of applications support working with Rich Text Format:
- word processors included in a number of office suites;
- software for reading e-books (so-called "readers");
- text editors.
In addition, objects with this extension can open some universal viewers.
Method 1: Microsoft Word
If you have Microsoft Office installed on your computer, then the RTF content can be displayed without problems using the word processor Word.
In general, Word works very well with the RTF format, correctly displaying all objects to which meta tags are applied in the document. But this is not surprising, since the developer for the program and for this format is the same - Microsoft. As for the limitation on editing RTF documents in Word, this is more a problem of the format itself, and not of the program, since it simply does not support some advanced features, which, for example, are used in the DOCX format. The main disadvantage of Word is that the specified text editor is part of the paid office suite Microsoft Office.
Method 2: LibreOffice Writer
The next word processor that can work with RTF is Writer, which is included in the free office suite LibreOffice.
There is also an alternative way to launch a text document in the LibreOffice start window.
To implement another option for opening an object, it is enough to move to the final directory in Explorer, select the text file itself and drag it while holding down the left mouse button into the LibreOffice window. The document appears in Writer.
There are also options for opening text not through the LibreOffice start window, but through the interface of the Writer application itself.
As you can see, LibreOffice Writer provides more options for opening text than Word. But, at the same time, it should be noted that when displaying text of this format in LibreOffice, some spaces are marked with gray color, which can interfere with reading. In addition, the book view of Libre is inferior in convenience to the Word mode of reading. In particular, in the mode "Book view" unnecessary tools are not removed. But the absolute advantage of the Writer application is that it is completely free to use, unlike the Microsoft Office application.
Method 3: OpenOffice Writer
Another free alternative to Word when opening RTF is to use the OpenOffice Writer application, which is included in another free office suite, Apache OpenOffice.
There is an option of launching from the start window of the OpenOffice package.
It is also possible to start the document by dragging and dropping from Conductor into the OpenOffice start window in the same way as for LibreOffice.
The opening procedure is also carried out through the Writer interface.
Actually, all the advantages and disadvantages of OpenOffice Writer when working with RTF are the same as those of LibreOffice Writer: the program is inferior to the visual display of the contents of the Word, but at the same time it is, in contrast to it, free. In general, the office suite LibreOffice is considered at the moment more modern and advanced than its main competitor among free counterparts - Apache OpenOffice.
Method 4: WordPad
Some ordinary text editors, which differ from the above-described word processors in less developed functionality, also support RTF, but not all. For example, if you try to run the contents of a document in Windows Notepad, instead of pleasant reading, you will get text alternating with meta tags, whose task is to display formatting elements. But you will not see the formatting itself, since Notepad does not support it.
But in Windows there is a built-in text editor that successfully copes with displaying information in RTF format. It's called WordPad. Moreover, the RTF format is the main one for it, since by default the program saves files with this extension. Let's see how you can display the text of the specified format in the standard Windows WordPad program.
The fact is that in the Windows registry it is WordPad that is registered as the default software for opening this format. Therefore, if no adjustments were made to the system settings, then the text will open in the specified way in WordPad. If changes were made, then the document will be launched using the software that is assigned by default for opening it.
It is also possible to run RTF from the WordPad interface.
Of course, in terms of display capabilities, WordPad is significantly inferior to all word processors that were listed above:
- This program, in contrast to them, does not support working with images that can be embedded in a document;
- It does not break the text into pages, but presents it as a solid ribbon;
- There is no separate reading mode in the application.
But at the same time, WordPad has one important advantage over the above programs: it does not need to be installed, since it is included in the base version of Windows. Another advantage is that, unlike previous programs, in order to launch RTF in WordPad, by default, simply click on the object in the explorer.
Method 5: CoolReader
RTF can be opened not only by word processors and editors, but also by readers, that is, software designed exclusively for reading, and not for editing text. One of the most popular programs in this class is CoolReader.
In general CoolReader renders RTF content formatting quite correctly. The interface of this application is more readable than that of word processors and, moreover, of the text editors we have described above. At the same time, unlike previous programs, it is impossible to edit text in CoolReader.
Method 6: AlReader
Another reader that supports RTF is AlReader.
Displaying RTF content in this program is not much different from the capabilities of CoolReader, so in this particular aspect the choice is a matter of taste. But in general, AlReader supports more formats and has more extensive toolkit than CoolReader.
Method 7: ICE Book Reader
The next reader that supports the described format is ICE Book Reader. True, it is more tailored for the creation of an e-book library. Therefore, the discovery of objects in it is fundamentally different from all previous applications. You cannot run the file directly. It will first need to be imported into the internal library of the ICE Book Reader, and only after that you will need to open it.
- Activate ICE Book Reader. Click the icon "Library" which is represented by a folder-shaped icon on the top horizontal bar.
- After starting the library window, click "File"... Please select .
Alternatively: in the library window, click on the icon "Import text from file" in the form of a plus sign.
- In the launched window, go to the folder where the text document that you want to import is located. Select it and press "OK".
- The content will be imported into the ICE Book Reader library. As you can see, the name of the target text object has been added to the library list. To start reading this book, double-click the left mouse button on the name of this object in the library window, or click Enter after its isolation.
You can also select this object by clicking "File" and then choose "Read a book".
Another option: after highlighting the name of the book in the library window, click on the icon "Read a book" in the form of an arrow on the toolbar.
- For any of the above actions, the text will be displayed in the ICE Book Reader.
In general, like most other readers, the RTF content in ICE Book Reader is displayed correctly, and the reading procedure is quite convenient. But the opening process looks more complicated than in previous cases, since you have to import into the library. Therefore, most users who do not start their own library prefer to use other viewers.
Method 8: Universal Viewer
Also, many universal viewers are able to work with RTF files. These are programs that support viewing completely different groups of objects: video, audio, text, tables, images, etc. One such application is the Universal Viewer.
There is also another option.
The Universal Viewer displays the content of RTF objects in a style similar to that of a word processor. Like most other universal programs, this application does not support all standards for certain formats, which can lead to errors in the display of some characters. Therefore, it is recommended to use the Universal Viewer for general acquaintance with the contents of the file, and not for reading a book.
We have introduced you to just a part of those programs that can work with the RTF format. At the same time, we tried to select the most popular applications. The choice of a particular one for practical use primarily depends on the goals of the user.
So, if the object needs to be edited, then it is best to use word processors: Microsoft Word, LibreOffice Writer or OpenOffice Writer. Moreover, the first option is preferable. To read books, it is better to use reading programs: CoolReader, AlReader, etc. If, in addition to this, you maintain your own library, then ICE Book Reader will do. If you need to read or edit RTF, but you do not want to install additional software, then use the built-in text editor Windows WordPad. Finally, if you do not know with which application to launch a file of this format, you can use one of the universal viewers (for example, Universal Viewer). Although, after reading this article, you already know how to open RTF.
Chief Technology Writer
Did someone email you a RTF file and you're not sure how to open it? Maybe you have found a RTF file on your computer and wondering what it's for? Windows might tell you that you can't open it, or in the worst case scenario, you might encounter an RTF file related error message.
Before you can open an RTF file, you need to figure out what kind of file the RTF file extension is referring to.
Tip: Incorrect RTF file association errors can be a symptom of other underlying issues within your Windows operating system. These invalid entries can also produce associated symptoms such as slow Windows startups, computer freezes, and other PC performance issues. Therefore, it highly recommended that you scan your Windows registry for invalid file associations and other issues related to a fragmented registry.
Answer:
RTF files are Text Files primarily associated with Rich Text Format File.
Additional types of files may also be using the RTF file extension. If you are aware of any other file formats that use the RTF file extension, please contact us so that we can update our information accordingly.
How to open your RTF file:
The fastest and easiest way to open your RTF file is to double-click it. In this case, Windows will automatically select the required program to open your RTF file.
In case your RTF file does not open, it is very likely that your PC does not have the required application program installed to view or edit RTF files.
If your PC opens the RTF file, but it's the wrong application, you'll need to change your Windows registry file association settings. In other words, Windows is associating RTF file extensions with the wrong program.
Install Optional Products - FileViewPro (Solvusoft) | | | |
RTF Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME):
- mime application / rtf
- mime text / richtext
- mime text / rtf
RTF File Analysis Tool ™
Unsure about which type of RTF file you have? Want to get precise information about a file, its creator and how you can open it?
Now you can instantly get all the information you need about the RTF file!
The revolutionary RTF File Analysis Tool ™ scans, analyzes, and reports back every detail about your RTF file. Our (patent pending) algorithm will quickly parse the file and, within seconds, provide detailed information in a clear, easy-to-read format. †
In just a few seconds, you will know for sure the type of your RTF file, the application associated with the file, the name of the user who created the file, the file's protection status, and other useful information.
To start parsing a file for free, simply drag and drop your RTF file inside the dotted line below, or click View My Computer and select the file. The RTF file analysis report will be shown below, right in the browser window.
Drag the RTF file here to start analysis
View my computer "
Please also check my file for viruses
Your file is being analyzed ... please wait.
Often in a conversation you can hear such phrases "save in rtf ...", "file in rtf format ...". Also, if we do not know where and on what device we will open our text documents, then we are advised to save them in RTF format. So what exactly is RTF format?
RTF (rtf) is the name of files created in a text editor and is an abbreviation for rich text format, which means rich or rich text format. In part, this suggests that this format is cross-platform, that is, it can be created, opened and edited in any application designed for text editing.
Documents with the rtf extension, text documents can be opened and modified in almost all text editors for Windows, Mac OS and others, as well as in free office programs (OpenOffice, LibreOffice, etc.). Therefore, when sending your text rtf documents by email, you can be sure that the recipient can easily open and read them, even if he does not have an Office installed on his computer.
What is it for
The format was created in the eighties of the twentieth century by Windows programmers for the word processor Word and since then, in parallel with the development of the operating system, the rtf format has also changed. But the main thing is that it is used to transfer documents between different word processors and even between different versions of Word. After all, it is no secret that new types of Word files cannot be opened in the editor of previous generations.
RTF file sizes
The ability of files with the rtf extension to open on any computer and in any text editing program has become the reason for their cumbersomeness, in contrast to the already familiar docx file format. And if, when working with small documents, their "bulkiness" is not noticeable, then editing multi-page texts with tables and figures can significantly load computer performance.
RTF and viruses
Another reason for the popularity of the rtf format is its "resistance" to the influence of various types of malicious codes, including macro viruses. Experts admit that the level of security of using the "enriched" text file format is much lower than for files with the doc extension. Nevertheless, they advise to be sure to check the RTF documents received from somewhere with antiviruses with fresh databases.
How to save text in RTF
In order to translate a text file into rtf format, you need to open it and click on the "Save As" button. In the window that opens, select the RTF file type.
Thus, RTF is an extension of text files indicating their format. Despite the fact that the format has been used since the last century and gives significant "weight" to files, it is still a popular format. This is due to the cross-platform format and resistance to viruses of this type of file.
