Documents conversion
Convert TXT to RTF
Updated Jul 2026
TXT is plain, unformatted text with nothing but characters in it. RTF is a format that word processors can read, letting you add bold, italics, fonts, and colors. To convert TXT to RTF, open the file in a converter and export it as RTF, right on your own computer, so the text never has to leave your machine.
- Extension
- .txt
- Type
- Documents
- Typically
- Plain text files
- Extension
- .rtf
- Type
- Documents
- Typically
- Cross-app rich text
Convert TXT to RTF on your own computer. Nothing uploads.
How to convert TXT to RTF
- Open Morphjet and drag in the TXT file, or a whole folder of them at once.
- Choose RTF as the output format.
- Convert. The RTF file is written next to your original, and nothing leaves your machine.
TXT vs RTF: what actually changes
| TXT | RTF | |
|---|---|---|
| Formatting support | None, just characters | Yes, bold, italics, fonts, colors |
| File size | Smaller, no markup overhead | Larger, stores formatting instructions |
| Opens everywhere | Yes, any text editor on any device | Yes, in most word processors, but not plain text editors |
| Quality | Lossless | Lossless, the text is preserved exactly |
| Ready to format | No, has to be opened in a word processor first | Yes, drops right into a word processor with formatting tools available |
When to convert, and when not to
Convert TXT to RTF when you want to open plain notes or a draft in a word processor and start adding formatting, or when you need a file that behaves consistently across different word processors on Mac and Windows.
Keep the TXT if you're feeding the file into code, a script, or a log system, since those expect plain text and RTF's formatting markup would just get in the way.
Why not just use an online converter?
TXT files often hold personal notes, drafts, or logs you haven't shared with anyone yet. An online converter has to receive that text on its server before it can hand back an RTF file, even if only for a moment. Converting on your own computer means what you typed stays on your own computer the whole time.
Questions
Does converting TXT to RTF lose any text?
No. The conversion is lossless, every character carries over exactly. RTF just wraps the text in formatting markup that word processors understand.
Will the RTF file have formatting automatically?
No. TXT has no formatting to carry over, so the RTF starts out looking plain too. You'll need to add bold, fonts, or colors yourself once it's open in a word processor.
Can I open the RTF on both Mac and Windows?
Yes. RTF was designed to be read the same way across different word processors, which is why it's a common choice when you're not sure what the other person uses.
Why not just rename a TXT file to .rtf?
Renaming doesn't add the RTF formatting markup, so most word processors will either refuse to open it properly or show it as broken. A real conversion writes a valid RTF file.
Can I convert TXT to RTF without uploading it anywhere?
Yes. A desktop app like Morphjet converts the file locally, so your text never travels over the internet. You can do it with your wifi off.
Morphjet converts TXT, RTF, and 1,800+ other formats, all on your machine. Launching this July.