Tips to open RTF file
Can't open the RTF file? You are not the only one. Thousands of users face similar problems every day. Below you will find tips on how to open RTF files as well as a list of programs that support RTF files.
RTF file extension
| File Name |
Rich Text Format |
| File Category |
Text Files |
The RTF file is supported on 5 operating systems. Depending on your operating system, you may need different software to handle the RTF files. Below is a summary of the number of programs that support and open the RTF file on each system platform.
What is RTF file?
The .RTF file is a text file. It is the basic format supported by all editing programs. However, due to the many different versions, formatting errors often occur. The format offers formatting such as font colors, bolds, italics, underlines, hyperlinks, and basic images loaded into the text. .RTF files stopped being developed by Microsoft in 2008 which theoretically stopped the problem with various versions, but not all programs support the latest version of the file.
How to open RTF file?
The main problem with Rich Text Format is that the RTF file is incorrectly associated with programs. This causes the file RTF to open by system applications not designed for this purpose, or to display a message that there is no associated program. This can be quickly resolved by following the instructions below.
The first thing you should do is just "doubleclick" on the RTF file icon you want to open. If the operating system has an appropriate application to support it and there is also an association between the file and the program, the file should be opened.
Step 1. Install TextEdit
An often overlooked issue is to make sure that TextEdit is installed on the computer. The easiest method is to use the system search engine by entering the program name TextEdit in it. If it is not, installation may solve the problem, as most applications create file associations during installation. Later in this article you will find a list of programs that can open RTF files.
Programs to open RTF file
Remember to download programs supporting RTF files only from verified and safe sources. We suggest using the websites of software developers.
Step 2. Create association of TextEdit with RTF files
If the application is or has been freshly installed, but the RTF file still does not use the TextEdit program, it means no association. The association can be created using the drop-down list available by right-clicking on the file and selecting Properties. The window will show, among other things, the type of the file and the information by which the program is used to launch the file. Using the "Change" button we can select the desired program. The program should be visible in the window, otherwise it should be selected manually using the "Browse" button and the program installation directory should be indicated. Checking the "Always use the selected program ..." box will permanently associate the RTF file with the TextEdit program.
Step 3. Update TextEdit to the latest version
The fault may also lie with the TextEdit program, it is possible that Rich Text Format requires a newer version of the program. In this case, use the Apple, Inc. website or update the program from the application.
Step 4. Check for the following problems with the RTF file
Of course, it may happen that despite the above steps, the file still does not work. The most common file problems are:
Very often, the file may be size 0 or incomplete. This suggests truncating the RTF file contents when downloading or copying. The only repair option is to download the file again.
The operating system may be infected with a computer virus. Perform a virus scan using available and up-to-date anti-virus software. If this is not possible, you can use the online scanner. For the best results, we will scan the entire operating system, not just our RTF file. Sometimes virus-infected RTF files cannot be recovered, so make a backup in advance.
A typical compatibility error - the program does not support the older version of the RTF file. On their websites, developers usually offer free solutions to such problems, e.g. in the form of a conversion program or an older version of the program.
There can be many reasons for this. Depending on the type of file, it is necessary to repair it accordingly. Some programs offer the ability to automatically repair RTF file corruption. You can restore the file from a backup or use N/A help.
The program indicates that the file is encrypted or corrupted. The encrypted RTF files cannot be played on other computers than the one on which they were encrypted, they must be decrypted before using on another device.
Some of the system directories are excluded from modification. These directories are write-protected to them and it's very hard to fix this problem. Copying the RTF file to another location will fix the problem.
This can happen on a file that does not support multiple access. You may find that another program you are using is preventing you from working with the file. Closing other programs should help. Sometimes you have to wait for the session to the file RTF to close. However, some background programs may block the RTF file while scanning. If this does not work either, restart the device.
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