What Is Rich Text Format (RTF) & How to Open It?

RTF or Rich Text Format has become one of the standard formats for sharing Word documents across different text document environments. If there is any compatibility issue with the document, it can be easily combated with RTF. However, RTF can't regularly open in your system as others. You will have to adopt different measures to open RTF files in your system.

The method for using and opening RTF files will vary depending on the system you're using. You must know that these RTF files can however become corrupted or lost for a variety of reasons. Therefore, you will have to adopt different measures through which you can fix it. For that, you must first understand what is RTF format and how you can recover corrupted or lost files. This blog will guide you on everything you need to know about RTF files.

Part 1: What Is Rich Text Format (RTF)?

The simple answer to what is a RTF format is that Rich Text Format refers to a file format that allows the users to share documents across different word processing environments. These are only applicable to text documents. However, if there are advanced features or programs, it may not be compatible with RTF file formats.

The RTF file secures the formatting details and contents of the documents. This plays an important role in ensuring that it can be viewed safely across all the document processing environments. RTF file format saves the different formatting information like font size, page margins, and bold and italics styles. Therefore, it can be opened in any reliable and compatible word-processing environment with the text, layout, and other formatting information being intact.

Part 2: The Advantages and Disadvantages of RTF File

If you are using RTF files, you must know that they have a wide range of advantages and disadvantages. Now that you know what is rtf file extension, you also must understand its advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the major advantages and disadvantages of RTF files:

Advantages:

• RTF files are compatible with a wide range of word processors and operating systems. This plays an important role in ensuring a faster and better document sharing process especially for the ones with compatibility issues.
• Compared to other document formats and types, RTF files have a smaller size. As a result, these prove to be extremely easier to save and download. The smaller size also facilitates better transfer of files.
• RTF files play an important role in preserving various formatting elements such as images, tables, fonts and colors. Therefore, irrespective of the device or platform it was shared, the formulation would remain constant. As a result, the appearance of files will be the same in all devices, and software.

Disadvantages:

• RTF is known for supporting only basic text layout features. It can't support advanced features. Therefore, if the document contains complex designs, it may not be supported by RTF.
• If the RTF file is large or formatted too much, it may not be able to open properly on the device. This is also going to have a negative impact on the loading and editing speed.
• RTF can be used for document appearance but it can't be used for structured data exchange. Therefore, for various formatted files, you will have to use proper data sharing environments and systems to enable the process.

Part 3: Uses of RTF Text Format

RTF file text formats can be used under different scenarios. Some of the key scenarios under which the RTF text format can be used are as follows:

• Document Exchange: Several users have different word processing environments. Therefore, for people like this, exchanging documents can become difficult. However, using RTF, these individuals can indulge in easy document exchange. This ensures that irrespective of the software that the individual is using to view the document, the formatting won't be affected.
• Cross-platform compatibility: RTF is known for having cross-platform compatibility. This plays an important role in ensuring that the document can seamlessly function across different platforms such as macOS, Linux, and even Windows.
• E-books and documentation: RTF is used significantly for e-books and documents. Formulation and format is an important factor to consider. RTF can however play an important role in enhancing the procedure.
• Data interchange: RTF can also be used for data interchanging methods. Therefore, through structured information transferring, it can be used widely for shifting data from one program to another.

Part 4: How to Open a RTF File?

If you want to view RTF files, it is important that you check the different ways through which you can open them. The process of opening RTF files is different for Windows, and Mac devices. Here are some of the key methods to understand what opens an RTF file:

Method 1: Opening an RTF File on Windows Using Word

If you are to open RTF files, you will have to use Word on a Windows device. This will provide an easy way through which you can learn how to open an RTF file. It includes the following:

Step 1: Launch Microsoft Word on your PC.

Step 2: Click on File available on the top left corner. Then, choose Open.

Step 3: Navigate the files and then choose the RTF files that you want to open. After selecting, click on the Ok button.

Step 4: You can open and then edit the file. Now, if you want to save it in the RTF format itself, under the Save As type option, choose Rich Text Format.

Method 2: Opening an RTF File on Mac Using Pages

Similar to Word, if you want to learn what opens an RTF file in Mac, it is Pages. You can follow the steps given below to open RTF files on Mac using Pages:

Step 1: Open a new document in Pages. However, first, you will have to navigate that the RTF files are available in Windows. However, if the file was not done in RTF format, you will have to ask the sender to send it in RTF format.

Step 2: As Pages is launched, choose File > Open available on the top left section of the page.

Step 3: Navigate through the available options and select the RTF file on your Mac device. Click on Open.

Step 4: While keeping the original file format intact, Pages will open the RTF file.

Method 3: Opening an RTF File Using Pages Web-based Document Viewers

You can use a wide range of web-based document viewers to open the RTF files. GroupDocs is one of the most reliable software to open these documents. Using highly advanced technology, GroupDocs allows you to open the RTF files. Moreover, it is a free online tool that will also keep

privacy intact so that you won't have to worry about your safety being compromised.

You may follow the steps given below to learn how to open an RTF file using

web-based document viewers like GroupDocs:

Step 1: Launch GroupDocs on your system. Then select the Browse file option.

Step 2: Browse the files from your system and then select the RTF file. It will open in the viewer.

Part 5: How to Recover Corrupted or Deleted RTF Files?

What would happen if you were working on an RTF file and it stopped working all of a sudden? That probably happens because of corruption. Next, what if you're looking to open an RTF file in your system and you aren't able to find it? That's probably because it has been deleted from your system. Irrespective of the reason, you can easily recover these corrupted or deleted RTF files using Wondershare Recoverit.

Wondershare Recoverit is a highly reliable and top-class data recovery software which enables it to easily recover 1000+ file formats with RTF being one of them. Some of the key features of Wondershare Recoverit that makes it an ideal choice to recover corrupted and deleted RTF files are as follows:

• Wondershare Recoverit is compatible with different devices, enabling easy options for file recovery from different devices like phone, tablet, PC and more.
• Wondershare Recoverit is available for free download on Windows and Mac. Therefore, you can just download and get started with the data recovery.

• Wondershare Recoverit is capable of recovering files from across different formats. So, irrespective of the file format you have lost, Recoverit can seamlessly help in recovering all the data.
• Wondershare Recoverit supports file recovery from different options like Hard Drive and SD card.
• Wondershare Recoverit enables faster photo and video recovery for enhanced repair and recovery.
• Wondershare Recoverit has two modes of scan recovery: quick and advanced. If the files weren't recovered via Quick Scan recovery, you can enable Advanced Scan. It utilizes top algorithms to recover the files from your system.

Once Wondershare Recoverit is downloaded in your system, you may follow the systems given below to recover deleted or corrupted RTF files:

Step 1: Launch the Software

Launch Wondershare Recoverit in your device. Visit Hard Drive and Locations option to choose the Hard Drive from which the RTF files were lost or corrupted.

Step 2: Scan the Drive

Navigate through all the drives and select the one that you want to scan. Click on the Scan option to begin the scanning process. If the Quick Scan wasn't able to recover the files, click on All-around Recovery option. This will take a few minutes depending on the size of the drive. It will thoroughly and deeply scan all the options in the drive.

Step 3: Preview and Recover the Files

After the deep scan is completed, all the files recovered will be available to you on the screen. Check all the files that were recovered from the system. Click on the RTF file that you want to recover. Preview that file and thoroughly check if all the information is intact. Then, click on the Recover option. In the next section, select the location where you want to save the files. Make sure that it is a new drive location where you're saving these files. Your files will be back in your system.

Conclusion

RTF file formats have become the standard, go-to methods for file sharing as long as they're basic. Moreover, their compatibility ensures that they can be used properly across all the devices. However, you must know what are RTF files and use it properly because they can get deleted from your device due to one mistake. For this purpose, you must consider using a reliable data recovery software such as Wondershare Recoverit. In case you have lost the RTF files due to corruption or deletion, Recoverit Data Recovery software will enable you to find the files easily.