Convert Word Document (Legacy) to Rich Text Format Online Free
Convert legacy Word DOC files to Rich Text Format for universal compatibility across every word processor, email client, and document system.
ChangeThisFile converts your legacy Word Document to Rich Text Format using LibreOffice on our secure servers, extracting text and formatting from the binary DOC structure into universally compatible RTF. RTF is supported by virtually every word processor ever made. Encrypted upload, automatic file deletion, completely free with no signup required.
Convert Word Document (Legacy) to Rich Text Format
Drop your Word Document (Legacy) file here to convert it instantly
Drag & drop your .doc file here, or click to browse
Convert to Rich Text Format instantly
Word Document (Legacy) vs Rich Text Format: Format Comparison
Key differences between the two formats
| Feature | Word Document (Legacy) | Rich Text Format |
|---|---|---|
| File format | Binary Compound File (.doc) | Plain text with control words (.rtf) |
| Introduced | Word for DOS / Word 97 era | 1987 (Microsoft) |
| Specification | Proprietary binary | Microsoft RTF Specification 1.9.1 |
| Readability | Binary (not human-readable) | Plain text (partially human-readable) |
| Compatibility | All modern office suites | Universal — virtually every word processor |
| Advanced features | Full Word feature set | Core text formatting only |
| Typical use | Legacy document exchange | Universal compatibility, legal, email |
When to Convert
Common scenarios where this conversion is useful
Simplifying legacy document archives
Convert old DOC files to RTF to create a simpler, more universally readable version without proprietary binary dependencies.
Email and CRM system attachments
RTF is natively supported by many email clients and CRM platforms for formatted document attachments and email bodies.
Legal document filing systems
Court e-filing platforms and legal document management systems often accept RTF as a standard input alongside PDF.
Cross-platform document sharing
Share formatted documents with recipients on any platform — Windows, macOS, Linux — without worrying about software availability.
Stripping complex binary content
RTF conversion can help remove embedded OLE objects, macros, and complex binary content from DOC files before further processing.
How to Convert Word Document (Legacy) to Rich Text Format
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1
Upload your Word Document (Legacy) file
Drag and drop your .doc file onto the converter, or click to browse. Files up to 50 MB are supported for free.
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2
Server-side conversion with LibreOffice
Your file is securely uploaded and converted on our servers using LibreOffice headless, reading the binary DOC format and outputting RTF with preserved formatting.
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3
Download the result
Once conversion is complete, click Download to save your .rtf file. The uploaded file is automatically deleted from our servers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, completely free. Convert DOC to RTF with no cost, no signup, and no watermarks.
Core formatting such as bold, italic, paragraph styles, fonts, basic tables, and images are preserved. Complex DOC-specific features like OLE objects and macros are not transferred.
Yes. Microsoft Word has supported RTF since its earliest versions. Word opens and saves RTF files natively.
No. Files are automatically deleted immediately after conversion. Nothing is stored or retained.
Yes. Files are transferred over encrypted HTTPS connections. Your data is protected in transit.
The conversion uses LibreOffice headless on our servers. LibreOffice has robust DOC binary format support built through years of reverse engineering.
No. VBA macros embedded in DOC files are not transferred to RTF. RTF does not support executable macros, which also makes RTF safer to open from untrusted sources.
Yes. LibreOffice Writer fully supports RTF for reading and editing.
It varies. RTF stores data as plain text which can be larger, but DOC binary files include substantial overhead. File sizes are typically comparable.
Files up to 50 MB are supported for free conversion.
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