How to Open an RTF File on Windows, Mac, Android, and iPhone

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Your guide to opening Rich Text Format files on desktop and mobile
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Rich Text Format (RTF) files were developed to store text files with extra data that includes fonts, format styles, and even images. They were developed to allow the transfer of text files between different programs and computer operating systems while preserving the text format style. This wikiHow article teaches you how to open RTF files on any platform.

How to Open RTF FIles

  1. Right-click the RTF file you want to open.
  2. Click Open With .
  3. Click a text editor or word processor, such as WordPad on Windows or TextEdit on Mac.
Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Using a Desktop App

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  1. Locate the file in your folders, and right-click on its name or icon to see your options on a drop-down menu.
  2. It's in the menu that appears when you right-click on a file. Recommended applications for this file type will pop up on a sub-menu.
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  3. Click any text editor app on the app list to open your RTF text file, and view the formatted text contents in this file. You can use a simple text editor like TextEdit on Mac or WordPad on Windows. You can also use a word processor like Microsoft Word , LIbre OpenOffice or Pages on Mac. [1]
    • If you don't see any text editors on the app list here, click Other or Choose another app at the bottom of the list.
    • Any text editor that supports formatted text will open the RTF file format. [2]
    • Alternatively, you can open the text editor or word processing application and click File in the menu bar at the top, followed by Open . Then select the file you want to open.
    EXPERT TIP

    Garnik Ovsepyan

    Computer Specialist
    Garnik Ovsepyan is a Computer Specialist and the Owner of HeliX PC based in Burbank, California. With over 25 years of experience, Garnik specializes in custom computer builds, computer repairs, virus removal, computer tune-ups, hardware and software troubleshooting and installations, diagnostics, and data backup and recovery.
    Garnik Ovsepyan
    Computer Specialist

    Try a free word processing app if you don't have Microsoft Word. OpenOffice and LibreOffice are both free apps that open DOCX files. They're great options if you don't have a subscription to Microsoft Word.

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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Using Google Docs

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  1. To do so, navigate to https://docs.google.com in your web browser.
    • If you are not logged in automatically, click Sign In at the top and log into your Google account .
    • Google Docs technically doesn't support RTF files. When you open an RTF file in Google Docs, it will be converted to Google Docs format.
  2. This button is located in the upper-right corner of your "Recent documents" list, next to the AZ button. It will open a new pop-up window, and allow you to open a new file.
  3. This button is on the right-hand side of the tab bar at the top of the pop-up window. You can upload and open a file from your computer here.
  4. This is a blue button in the middle of the Upload window. It will open a new file explorer window, and allow you to select the file you want to open.
    • Alternatively, you can drag and drop the file into the window in the center of the screen.
  5. It's located next to the "File name" bar at the bottom of the screen. This will display all files in your current folder.
  6. Find your RTF file in the file explorer window, and click on its name or icon to select the file.
  7. This will upload your RTF file to your Google Docs account, and open it in your internet browser as a Google Doc file.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Using Google Drive on Mobile

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  1. The Google Docs icon looks like a triangle with yellow, green, and blue edges. You can find it on your home screen, in an app folder, or on the Apps tray.
  2. This is the "Add" button in the lower-right corner of your screen. It will open a pop-up panel at the bottom.
  3. This option will allow you to add new files to your Drive.
    • If you're using an iPhone or iPad, you'll have to select Browse here when you're prompted.
  4. Locate your RTF file in your mobile folders, and tap on it to upload it to your Drive.
  5. This will open the RTF document, and allow you to view it on your phone or tablet.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Using Jumpshare

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  1. Go to https://jumpshare.com/viewer/rtf in a web browser. Jumpshare is an online file viewer that allows you to open and view RTF files in your web browser. Open the Jumpshare website in your web browser. You can use Jumpshare to view RTF files on a computer or mobile device.
    • You can use Jumpshare to view RTF files, but it will not let you edit them.
  2. It's the blue button in the center of the page.
    • Alternatively, you can drag and drop the file into the window in the center of the screen.
  3. This will upload the RTF file.
  4. It's the blue button in the center of the page. This displays your RTF file in your web browser.
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Expert Q&A

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Add New Question
  • Question
    What is an RTF file?
    Garnik Ovsepyan
    Computer Specialist
    Garnik Ovsepyan is a Computer Specialist and the Owner of HeliX PC based in Burbank, California. With over 25 years of experience, Garnik specializes in custom computer builds, computer repairs, virus removal, computer tune-ups, hardware and software troubleshooting and installations, diagnostics, and data backup and recovery.
    Garnik Ovsepyan
    Computer Specialist
    Expert Answer
    RTF stands for Rich Text Format—this is a file that Windows creates. It can be read by most modern operating systems, including Linux and Mac OS.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2
  • Question
    Is TXT same as RTF?
    Garnik Ovsepyan
    Computer Specialist
    Garnik Ovsepyan is a Computer Specialist and the Owner of HeliX PC based in Burbank, California. With over 25 years of experience, Garnik specializes in custom computer builds, computer repairs, virus removal, computer tune-ups, hardware and software troubleshooting and installations, diagnostics, and data backup and recovery.
    Garnik Ovsepyan
    Computer Specialist
    Expert Answer
    No, it's not. TXT files, made by programs like Notepad, are much more basic than RTF files.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 2
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      References

      1. ↑ Garnik Ovsepyan. Computer Specialist. Expert Interview. 1 July 2021.
      2. ↑ Garnik Ovsepyan. Computer Specialist. Expert Interview. 1 July 2021.

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Right-click the RTF file.
      2. Hover over Open with .
      3. Select a text editor like TextEdit , WordPad , or Microsoft Word .

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      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 70,065 times.

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