PDFからRTFへ — リッチテキスト
Convert PDF documents into editable Rich Text Format (RTF) files, ensuring universal compatibility across almost all word processors. This tool preserves essential formatting like fonts, images, and paragraph styles, making your documents editable without needing specific software. RTF is ideal for secure document exchange, as it does not support macros or executable code.
Drop PDF file here
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Supports PDF files up to 50MB
document.pdf
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Output Format
Your PDF will be converted to RTF format (.rtf) which can be opened in Word, Google Docs, or LibreOffice Writer.
Converting...
Processing PDF to RTF...
Conversion Complete!
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Why Convert PDF to RTF?
RTF is the most universally compatible rich text format — it opens identically on every operating system, in every word processor, without version conflicts or plugin requirements.
Maximum Compatibility
RTF opens in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, LibreOffice, Apple Pages, WordPad, and even legacy word processors from the 1990s. When you don't know what software your recipient uses, RTF is the safest choice.
Macro-Free Safety
Unlike DOCX or DOC files, RTF cannot contain macros, VBA scripts, or executable code. Many organizations mandate RTF for external document exchange specifically because of this security advantage.
Plain-Text Readable
RTF is a text-based format — you can open it in any text editor and read the markup. This makes it ideal for automated processing, mail merge templates, and programmatic document generation.
Easy Format Conversion
RTF serves as an excellent intermediate format. Convert PDF to RTF, then open in any word processor to save as DOCX, ODT, or PDF again — useful when direct PDF-to-DOCX conversion has issues.
Rich Formatting Support
RTF preserves fonts, bold/italic/underline, font sizes, colors, paragraph alignment, line spacing, tables, and embedded images — everything needed for professional documents.
Lightweight Files
RTF files are typically smaller than DOCX for text-heavy documents (no ZIP compression overhead). They load faster in word processors and transmit quickly over slow connections or email.
How to Convert PDF to RTF
Our converter extracts text layers from your PDF, maps formatting to RTF control codes, and outputs a clean document that any word processor can open.
Upload PDF
Drag and drop or select your PDF file. We support files up to 50MB with up to 20 pages.
Text Extraction
Our parser extracts text layers, identifies font attributes (family, size, weight, color), and maps paragraph structures including headings, lists, and tables.
RTF Generation
Formatting is translated to RTF control codes (\b for bold, \i for italic, \fs for font size). Images are embedded as hex-encoded data within the RTF stream.
Open Anywhere
Download and open in Word, Google Docs, LibreOffice, Pages, or even WordPad. The RTF format guarantees your document looks the same everywhere.
Common Use Cases
RTF's universal compatibility makes it ideal for scenarios where you can't control what software the recipient uses.
Legal Document Exchange
Law firms often exchange drafts in RTF because it's macro-free (no virus risk) and opens identically in any word processor. Convert PDF contracts to RTF for safe, editable sharing with opposing counsel.
Mail Merge Templates
RTF's text-based markup makes it ideal for mail merge and automated document generation. Convert PDF form letters to RTF, then use them as templates with merge fields in Word or programmatic tools.
Legacy System Integration
Many enterprise systems — especially in government, insurance, and healthcare — only accept RTF imports. Convert PDF documents to RTF for ingestion into older document management systems that don't support DOCX.
Cross-Platform Education
Students and teachers use diverse software (Word, Google Docs, Pages, LibreOffice). RTF ensures worksheets, syllabi, and handouts open correctly regardless of platform — no "file format not supported" errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Technical questions about RTF format and PDF to RTF conversion.
Why choose RTF over DOCX for my converted document?
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RTF is the safer choice when you need maximum compatibility. DOCX requires Microsoft Office 2007+ or compatible software, while RTF opens in virtually every word processor ever made — including WordPad on Windows, TextEdit on Mac, and legacy systems. RTF is also inherently macro-free, making it preferred for secure document exchange in legal and government contexts.
What formatting does RTF support and what gets lost?
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RTF supports fonts, bold/italic/underline, font sizes and colors, paragraph alignment, line spacing, numbered and bulleted lists, tables, and embedded images. What RTF cannot preserve includes tracked changes, SmartArt, advanced table styles, embedded macros, and complex page layouts with text wrapping around shapes.
Is RTF safe from macro viruses?
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Yes — this is one of RTF's key security advantages. The RTF specification does not support macros, VBA scripts, or any executable code. A file named .rtf cannot contain or trigger malicious code. This is why many organizations (especially law firms and government agencies) mandate RTF for external document exchange.
How large are RTF files compared to DOCX?
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RTF uses verbose plain-text markup, so files with many images can be 3–5x larger than equivalent DOCX files (which use ZIP compression internally). For text-heavy documents with few images, the difference is negligible. If file size is critical and you have many embedded images, consider DOCX instead.
Can I use RTF for automated document generation?
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Yes — RTF's text-based format makes it ideal for programmatic document creation. You can open an RTF file in any text editor, insert merge fields or template variables, and generate documents programmatically with Python, Java, or any language. Many legacy mail merge and document automation systems use RTF templates exclusively.
Is my PDF file secure during conversion?
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Yes. All uploads are encrypted via HTTPS/TLS and automatically deleted within 24 hours. Files are processed in isolated containers — no human access, no storage beyond the conversion session. We never share or analyze your content.
Understanding the RTF Format
Rich Text Format (RTF) was developed by Microsoft in 1987 as a cross-platform document interchange format. Unlike proprietary formats like DOC or DOCX, RTF was designed to be readable by any word processor — a philosophy that has kept it relevant for nearly four decades. The specification is publicly documented, and any developer can write software that reads or creates RTF files.
Under the hood, RTF is a plain-text file with control codes that define formatting. For example, \b toggles bold, \i toggles italic, and \fs24 sets font size to 12 points (RTF uses half-points). Images are embedded as hexadecimal data streams. This text-based architecture is what makes RTF uniquely suitable for programmatic document generation — you can literally write an RTF file with a text editor or a simple script.
While RTF has been superseded by DOCX and ODT for everyday use, it remains irreplaceable in specific niches: legal document exchange (macro-free security), legacy system integration (broad compatibility), mail merge templates (text-based markup), and cross-platform workflows where you can't guarantee what software the recipient has installed. FastlyConvert's PDF to RTF converter preserves the formatting you need while giving you the universal compatibility that only RTF provides.
Privacy & Security
Your documents are processed securely. We take your privacy seriously.
- check_circleAutomatic Deletion: Files deleted within 24 hours after processing.
- check_circleEncrypted Transfer: HTTPS/SSL encryption for all file transfers.
- check_circleNo Human Access: Automated processing without viewing your content.
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