RTF

Stands for "Rich Text Format."

RTF is a file format for rich text documents that may include styled text and images. It is a widely-supported document format that most text editors and word processors can open and edit. Microsoft first developed the RTF format as an interchange format, allowing users to save Word documents in a format that maintained most of Word's features but could be opened in other applications.

The RTF format supports most rich text formatting, including font styling (like bold, italics, and underline), custom typefaces, and multiple font sizes. It also includes page layout options allowing you to customize page margins, line spacing, tab width, and text alignment. You can add annotations and comments, insert tables, and create automatically-numbered and bulleted lists. You can also embed images inside an RTF file, including bitmap images, PNGs, GIFs, and JPEGs.

An RTF document in Microsoft WordPad
An RTF document in Microsoft WordPad

Most word processors and text editors supporting rich text can open and edit RTF files. However, not every application that can open the RTF format supports every available feature. Some formatting options, image types, tables, annotations, and comments are often not supported by basic text editors like Windows WordPad and macOS TextEdit. If you don't need to share a text document with other people using other word processors, you'll have more features available using a word processor's default file format.

File Extension: .RTF

Updated May 11, 2023 by Brian P.

quizTest Your Knowledge

User interface design is often referred to as what type of development?

A
Frontend
0%
B
Backend
0%
C
Top-end
0%
D
Low-end
0%
Correct! Incorrect!     View the Frontend definition.
More Quizzes →

The Tech Terms Computer Dictionary

The definition of RTF on this page is an original definition written by the TechTerms.com team. If you would like to reference this page or cite this definition, please use the green citation links above.

The goal of TechTerms.com is to explain computer terminology in a way that is easy to understand. We strive for simplicity and accuracy with every definition we publish. If you have feedback about this definition or would like to suggest a new technical term, please contact us.

Sign up for the free TechTerms Newsletter

How often would you like to receive an email?

You can unsubscribe or change your frequency setting at any time using the links available in each email.

Questions? Please contact us.