.rtf File Extension

The Rich Text Format (RTF) was introduced by Microsoft in 1987 and developed up until 2008 when Microsoft stopped updating the format. There have been many revisions to RTF over the years with most word processors supporting some version of the format.

One of the main benefits of RTF files is its interoperability between word processors and operating systems. This means that you can save the file in WordPad in Windows and open it in TextEdit in OS X with little change in formatting. Any changes in formatting can be attributed to the different versions of the RTF specification supported by different programs and program versions.

New Rich Text Document.rtf - The default name given to new RTF files created via the Windows context menu (right click in a folder and choose New → Rich Text Document).

Windows

Microsoft WordPad Adobe Illustrator ACD Systems Canvas Nuance OmniPage CorelDRAW Google Drive Corel WordPerfect Microsoft Word Microsoft Office Adobe Acrobat IMSI TurboPDF Nuance PDF Converter Professional AbiSource AbiWord Microsoft Works Adobe InDesign

Linux

Google Drive Adobe Acrobat AbiSource AbiWord Calibre Cool Reader Wolfram Research Mathematica Les Hardy RTF Editor

Android

MobiSystems OfficeSuite Pro Cool Reader Seavus iMindQ SoftMaker Office PlanMaker Mobile

Macintosh

Adobe Illustrator Google Drive Apple TextEdit Microsoft Word for Mac Wondershare PDF Editor for Mac 5 Microsoft Office Apple Pages Planamesa NeoOffice Adobe Acrobat LyxMac Adobe InDesign Calibre Cool Reader Thomson Reuters EndNote Microsoft PowerPoint for Mac

iOS	MobiSystems OfficeSuite Pro Seavus iMindQ