How to Save a Document in Rich Text Format

Co-authored by Garnik Ovsepyan

Last Updated: May 25, 2023

The Rich Text Format, or RTF, is a kind of file format that enables a document file to be opened by any text-editing or word-processing program. RTF was created by Microsoft to eliminate the need to convert a text file before it can be opened on another computer platform or operating system. To make sure that the document you’re writing is accessible on other OS office programs, save your file in Rich Text Format.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Saving a New Document in RTF

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This can be MS Word (Microsoft), Apple Pages (Mac), or OpenOffice (freeware). You will be taken to a blank document page.
Enter whatever information you need to have on the document.

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Once you’re finished, click on the “File” button on the top-left section of the menu bar (for Word and OpenOffice) or the application menu (for Apple Pages), and select “Save As” from the drop-down menu.
On the Save As window, write the name you want for the document on the text field provided.
To do so, click on the File Type drop-down menu, scroll down the list, and select “Rich Text Format (RTF).” Click on the “Save” button, and the document will be saved in Rich Text Format.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Saving an Existing Document in RTF

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This will open it on the corresponding word processor program on your computer, such as MS Word (Microsoft), Apple Pages (Mac), or OpenOffice (freeware).
Once the document is open, click on the “File” button on the top-left section of the menu bar (for Word and OpenOffice) or application menu (for Apple Pages), and select “Save As” from the drop-down menu.
3
Rename the document if you wish. On the Save As window, type in the new name you want for the document, or you can also just leave it unchanged.
- Using the same file name will not overwrite the existing document since these are two different file types. The exception will be is if you opened an RTF file to begin with, in which case you really need to use a different file name.
Do this by clicking on the File Type drop-down menu. Scroll down the list, and select “Rich Text Format (RTF).” Click on the “Save” button, and the document will be saved in Rich Text Format.

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Tips

Almost all existing word-processing software, regardless of the operating system they run on, support and can recognize Rich Text Format.

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Since RTF is universal, any features you’ve included on the document that is native to the word processor you’re using may not be saved.

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