Rich Text Format (RTF) is a document file format developed by Microsoft for cross-platform text encoding and formatting. It preserves text styling, fonts, and layout across different word processing applications, using a plain text-based markup language that represents document structure and visual properties. RTF files can include text, images, and complex formatting while maintaining compatibility with various software platforms.
Excellent cross-platform compatibility, human-readable markup, supports rich text formatting, smaller file sizes compared to proprietary formats, and widely supported by multiple word processing applications and text editors.
Less efficient for complex document layouts, larger file sizes compared to plain text, limited advanced formatting options, slower processing compared to native file formats, and diminishing relevance with modern document standards like DOCX.
RTF is widely used in document exchange scenarios where preserving formatting is crucial, such as academic document sharing, professional report writing, and cross-platform document compatibility. Common applications include word processors, document management systems, and legacy software integration where universal document readability is essential.