DOC to RTF converter
Convert legacy Word DOC to RTF free online. Turn old .doc files into portable Rich Text Format documents. No signup, instant conversion.
Drop a file to convert here
or click to browse
About Rich Text Format
Common Use Cases
- Converting legacy Word files to a more portable format
- Sharing old documents with maximum compatibility
- Migrating .doc files to a simpler format
Legacy .doc files from older Word versions can be troublesome to share. Not every recipient has software that handles the old binary format well. Converting to RTF gives you a formatted document that opens cleanly in virtually any word processor, from modern Word to basic TextEdit.
DOC is the legacy binary Word format with proprietary structure and potential macros. RTF is a simpler, text-based format with universal compatibility and no macro capability.
Why Convert DOC to RTF?
Broader compatibility than .doc
RTF opens cleanly in more software than .doc, especially on non-Windows systems. TextEdit on macOS, for example, handles RTF natively but can struggle with old .doc files.
Strip macros for safety
Legacy .doc files can contain VBA macros that trigger security warnings. RTF cannot carry macros, making the output inherently safer.
Preserve basic formatting
Bold, italic, fonts, tables, and lists from the .doc file survive the conversion, keeping the document readable and well-formatted.
Lightweight and inspectable
RTF is a flat, text-based format. The file is easy to transmit, inspect with a text editor, and process with simple tools.
When to use each
Keep as DOC when...
- Archiving the original binary format
- Macros or form fields are needed
- The file is a legal record in original form
- Full Word compatibility matters
- Embedded objects need to be preserved
Convert to RTF when...
- Sharing with maximum compatibility
- Stripping macros for safer sharing
- The recipient has unknown software
- A simpler, lighter format is preferred
- Basic formatting is sufficient
Common use cases
- Converting legacy Word files to a more portable format
- Sharing old documents with maximum compatibility
- Migrating .doc files to a simpler format
How to use
- Upload your DOC file. Drag and drop a .doc file, or click to browse. Files up to 500 MB are supported.
- Start the conversion. Click Convert File. LibreOffice reads the legacy binary format and produces a Rich Text Format file with formatting preserved.
- Download your RTF. Save the .rtf file and open it in any word processor. Files are deleted from our servers within 1 hour.
Frequently asked questions
- Does this work with Word 97/2003 files?
- Yes. LibreOffice handles the legacy .doc binary format from Word 97, 2000, XP, and 2003.
- Will formatting be preserved?
- Basic formatting (bold, italic, fonts, tables, lists) is preserved. Complex Word-specific features may be simplified.
- Are macros removed?
- Yes. RTF cannot contain macros, so any VBA code in the .doc file is stripped during conversion.
- What about images?
- Embedded images from the .doc file are typically preserved in the RTF output.
- What opens RTF files?
- RTF opens in Word, LibreOffice, TextEdit, WordPad, and virtually every word processor.
- Is there a file size limit?
- Yes. The maximum file size is 500 MB per file.
- Is this free?
- Yes. Free users get a daily conversion allowance. Registered accounts get higher limits, and Premium or Lifetime members get unlimited conversions.