Convert Rich Text Format to Plain Text Online Free
Strip all Rich Text formatting and extract raw text content from RTF files. Powered by LibreOffice for reliable text extraction from the RTF markup format.
ChangeThisFile converts your Rich Text Format file to Plain Text using LibreOffice on our secure servers, stripping all formatting markup and extracting clean, readable text. RTF files contain embedded formatting codes that TXT eliminates entirely. Encrypted upload with automatic file deletion, completely free with no signup required.
Convert Rich Text Format to Plain Text
Drop your Rich Text Format file here to convert it instantly
Drag & drop your .rtf file here, or click to browse
Convert to Plain Text instantly
Rich Text Format vs Plain Text: Format Comparison
Key differences between the two formats
| Feature | Rich Text Format | Plain Text |
|---|---|---|
| File format | Tagged text markup (.rtf) | Unformatted text (.txt) |
| Specification | Microsoft RTF spec (documented) | No formal spec (raw bytes) |
| Formatting | Fonts, bold, italic, colors, sizes | None (plain characters only) |
| Images | Embedded (hex-encoded) | Not supported |
| File size | Large (formatting codes + hex images) | Minimal (text only) |
| Tables | Supported (RTF table markup) | Lost on conversion (text content only) |
| Compatibility | Most word processors | Every text editor and OS |
| Machine readability | Requires RTF parser | Directly readable by any program |
When to Convert
Common scenarios where this conversion is useful
Cleaning RTF email exports
Many email clients export messages as RTF. Convert to TXT to get clean text without the embedded formatting codes that bloat RTF files and interfere with text processing.
Extracting text from legal documents
Legal software and court filing systems often produce RTF files. Convert to TXT to extract the raw text for search, analysis, or import into other systems.
Processing RTF files with scripts
RTF markup is notoriously difficult to parse programmatically. Convert to TXT to process document content with standard text tools like grep, Python, or shell scripts.
Reducing bloated RTF file sizes
RTF files with embedded images use hex encoding, which doubles the image data size. Converting to TXT strips all non-text content, dramatically reducing file size.
Who Uses This Conversion
Tailored guidance for different workflows
Office Workers
- Convert Rich Text Format documents to Plain Text for sharing with colleagues who use different software
- Transform Rich Text Format reports to Plain Text for archiving or distribution to external stakeholders
Students
- Convert Rich Text Format lecture notes to Plain Text for submitting assignments in the required format
- Transform Rich Text Format study materials to Plain Text for reading on tablets or e-readers
Professionals
- Convert Rich Text Format contracts or proposals to Plain Text for secure, read-only distribution to clients
- Transform Rich Text Format templates to Plain Text for use across different office suites and platforms
How to Convert Rich Text Format to Plain Text
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1
Upload your Rich Text Format file
Drag and drop your .rtf file onto the converter, or click to browse. Files up to 50 MB are supported for free.
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2
Server-side text extraction
Your file is securely uploaded and processed on our servers using LibreOffice headless, which parses the RTF markup and extracts all text content. This typically takes a few seconds.
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3
Download the result
Once extraction is complete, click Download to save your .txt file. The uploaded file is automatically deleted from our servers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, completely free. Convert RTF to TXT with no cost, no signup, and no watermarks.
No. Plain Text does not support formatting. All bold, italic, underline, font sizes, colors, and other RTF formatting codes are stripped. Only the raw text content is extracted.
RTF files contain backslash-prefixed control words like \b for bold and \i for italic, mixed in with the actual text. These codes are completely removed during conversion to plain text.
Images and other embedded objects are discarded. RTF stores images as hexadecimal strings, which are stripped during text extraction.
Table text content is extracted, but the tabular structure and cell formatting are not preserved in the plain text output.
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 output is UTF-8 encoded plain text, preserving special characters and non-Latin scripts from the original RTF document.
Opening an RTF file in a basic text editor shows the raw RTF markup codes mixed with text, not clean readable content. This converter properly parses the RTF and extracts only the human-readable text.
Files up to 50 MB are supported for free conversion.
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