RTF vs. DOC — What's the Difference?

RTF, or Rich Text Format, is a document file format developed by Microsoft in the 1980s. Its main advantage is that it's a cross-platform file format, meaning it can be opened by a variety of word processors across different operating systems. DOC, on the other hand, is a format specifically developed for Microsoft Word. While initially proprietary, the popularity of Word has made it a widely recognized and utilized format.

RTF offers flexibility in that it can maintain basic formatting when transferred between different word processors. This ensures that a document created on one platform can be viewed and edited on another with minimal changes. DOC files, being specific to Microsoft Word, benefit from the application's broad array of features, but might face compatibility issues when opened with other software.

The RTF format focuses on the representation of text with simple formatting, such as bold, italic, and underline. This makes it more lightweight and ensures broader compatibility. DOC, in contrast, allows for more advanced formatting, including tables, charts, and intricate styles, making it more suitable for comprehensive documents.

Security is another aspect where RTF and DOC differ. Since RTF has limited formatting and scripting capabilities, it's generally considered safer from macros and potential malware. DOC files, especially older versions, can contain macros which might pose a security risk if sourced from untrusted origins.

In terms of extensions and adaptability, an RTF file typically has an ".rtf" extension and can be opened by most word processors. DOC files come with the ".doc" or ".docx" (for newer versions) extension and are best opened with Microsoft Word, although many modern word processors support the DOC format due to its prevalence.