Documents conversion
Convert RTF to DOC
Updated Jul 2026
RTF is a plain-text formatted document that almost any word processor can open, and DOC is the older binary format Microsoft Word used before 2007. To convert RTF to DOC, open the file in a converter and export it as DOC. Doing this on your own computer means the document never has to travel to someone else's server to get converted.
- Extension
- .rtf
- Type
- Documents
- Typically
- Cross-app rich text
- Extension
- .doc
- Type
- Documents
- Typically
- Old Word documents
- Metadata
- Carries EXIF
Convert RTF to DOC on your own computer. Nothing uploads.
How to convert RTF to DOC
- Open Morphjet and drag in the RTF file you want to convert. Add one file or a whole folder at once.
- Choose DOC as the output format.
- Convert. The DOC file is written next to your original, and nothing leaves your machine.
RTF vs DOC: what actually changes
| RTF | DOC | |
|---|---|---|
| Opens everywhere | Yes, nearly any word processor, including free ones | Widely supported, but expects Word or a compatible app |
| File size | Larger, formatting written as plain text | Smaller, packed into a binary format |
| Formatting and layout | Preserved losslessly | Preserved losslessly |
| Word-specific features (styles, tracked changes) | Limited support | Full support |
| Keeps author and edit metadata | Minimal | Yes |
When to convert, and when not to
Convert RTF to DOC when you need a file that behaves like a native Word document, for example to use styles, track changes, or hand off to someone whose software specifically expects a .doc file.
Keep the RTF if you need the document to open reliably on any computer without Word installed, since RTF is the more universally readable of the two.
Why not just use an online converter?
DOC files can carry an author name, company, and edit history embedded in the file, on top of whatever is in the RTF you started with. Run that through an online converter and both the document and that metadata land on a stranger's server. Converting on your own computer keeps the file, and everything attached to it, on your machine the whole time.
Questions
Does converting RTF to DOC lose any formatting?
No. Both formats store text formatting like fonts, bold, and layout, so the conversion is lossless. What DOC adds on top is support for Word-specific features RTF doesn't really have, like styles and tracked changes.
Will the DOC file keep the author's name or other metadata?
It can. DOC files support embedded metadata such as author and company name, more than a typical RTF carries. If you're sending the file on, it's worth checking the document properties first.
Why convert to DOC instead of the newer DOCX?
Some older software, templates, or workflows still specifically look for a .doc extension and won't accept anything else. If nothing requires that, DOCX is generally the more current choice.
Can I open a DOC file without Microsoft Word?
Yes, most modern word processors and free office suites can open DOC files, though very old or unusual formatting may not render identically.
Can I convert RTF to DOC without uploading the file anywhere?
Yes. A desktop app like Morphjet converts the file locally on your computer, so it never gets sent over the internet. You can do it with your wifi off.
Morphjet converts RTF, DOC, and 1,800+ other formats, all on your machine. Launching this July.