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Convert Word to RTF in Batch — DOC/DOCX to RTF Converter

You need to share Word documents with someone who does not have Microsoft Word, or your legacy system only accepts RTF. Opening each file in Word and clicking "Save As" works for two or three documents, but not for fifty or five hundred. Total Doc Converter converts DOC and DOCX files to RTF in batch — select a folder, pick RTF, click Start.

  • Batch conversion — select hundreds of DOC/DOCX files and convert them to RTF in one run.
  • Formatting preserved — fonts, tables, images, headers, footers, and page layout transfer to RTF intact.
  • Folder structure — output mirrors the original directory tree, so files stay organized.
  • Command-line interface — automate conversions via scripts, .bat files, or Windows Task Scheduler.
  • 100% offline — no files leave your computer. No cloud uploads, no size limits.

 

Download Now!

(includes 30 day FREE trial)

Buy License

(only $49.90)

Word vs RTF: What Is the Difference?

Word (DOC / DOCX)

DOC is a proprietary binary format Microsoft introduced in 1983. DOCX replaced it in 2007 as a ZIP-compressed XML package. Both formats store text, images, tables, macros, and advanced formatting. Full rendering requires Microsoft Word or a compatible editor — other applications may misinterpret complex layouts, embedded objects, or macro-dependent features.

RTF (Rich Text Format)

Microsoft published the RTF specification in 1987 as a cross-platform document interchange format. RTF files are plain-text markup that encodes formatting with control words. Nearly every word processor on Windows, macOS, and Linux reads RTF correctly. RTF does not support macros, which makes it safer for email attachments and document exchange in regulated industries.

RTF files are typically larger than DOCX because RTF does not use ZIP compression, but they open everywhere — WordPad, LibreOffice, Google Docs, TextEdit on Mac, and dozens of other editors. When universal compatibility matters more than file size, RTF is the practical choice.

How to Convert Word to RTF in Batch

  • Step 1. Launch Total Doc Converter. The left panel displays a folder tree for quick navigation.
  • Step 2. Browse to the folder that contains your DOC or DOCX files. The file list in the center shows all supported document types.
  • Step 3. Check the files you want to convert. Click Check All to select every Word file in the folder.
  • Step 4. Click RTF in the format toolbar at the top of the window.
  • Step 5. Set the destination folder. Adjust font embedding, page layout, headers, and footers in the conversion wizard.
  • Step 6. Press Start. The converter processes all selected files and saves RTF copies to your chosen folder.

The entire batch takes seconds, even for hundreds of files. Your original Word documents remain untouched.

Command-Line Conversion

Total Doc Converter includes a command-line interface for unattended processing. Convert a single file:

DocConverter.exe C:\Data\report.docx C:\Output\report.rtf -c RTF

Convert an entire folder with wildcards:

DocConverter.exe C:\Data\*.doc C:\Output\ -c RTF

Save this command in a .bat file and schedule it with Windows Task Scheduler. New Word files that appear in the source folder get converted to RTF automatically on a daily, weekly, or on-demand basis.

Total Doc Converter - batch Word to RTF conversion

Why Use Total Doc Converter?

Green PlusBatch processing. Select a folder with 10 or 10,000 Word files and convert them all to RTF in one run. No need to open each file in Word and re-save manually.

Green PlusFormatting accuracy. Fonts, tables, images, headers, footers, page breaks, columns, and paragraph styles survive the conversion. RTF output matches the Word original.

Green PlusFolder structure. Converting files across multiple subfolders? The converter recreates the original directory tree in the output location. No manual sorting afterward.

Green PlusHeaders and footers. Add custom headers, footers, or page numbers to the RTF output during conversion — useful for stamping documents with a date or reference number.

Green PlusNo cloud uploads. All processing happens locally on your PC. Contracts, legal documents, and internal reports never leave your machine.

Green Plus20+ output formats. Besides RTF, convert Word to PDF, HTML, TXT, ODT, XHTML, JPEG, TIFF, and more — all from the same tool.

Online Converters vs Desktop Converter

FeatureOnline ToolsTotal Doc Converter
File size limit10–50 MBNo limit
Batch conversion1–5 files at a timeUnlimited
PrivacyFiles uploaded to cloud100% offline
SpeedDepends on connectionInstant (local CPU)
AutomationNone or paid APIBuilt-in command line
Formatting qualityBasic — complex tables often breakFull preservation
Folder structureNot supportedRecreated automatically
PricingSubscription or per-file feeOne-time $49.90

When Do You Need Word to RTF Conversion?

  • Legacy system integration. Your ERP, CRM, or document management system accepts only RTF input. Batch-converting incoming Word files ensures they import without manual reformatting.
  • Cross-platform document sharing. Recipients use LibreOffice, WordPad, or other non-Microsoft editors. RTF opens correctly on every platform without compatibility issues.
  • Email attachments in regulated industries. RTF files cannot contain macros, which makes them preferred for legal, healthcare, and government communication where macro-based malware is a concern.
  • Template standardization. Your organization's mail-merge or report-generation system uses RTF templates. Converting Word drafts to RTF keeps the template library consistent.
  • Archival and long-term storage. RTF is a well-documented, stable format. Files created in RTF 1.0 in 1987 still open in modern editors. For documents that must remain readable for decades, RTF is a safe choice.

 

Download Now!

(includes 30 day FREE trial)

Buy License

(only $49.90)

Windows 7/8/10/11 • 30-day free trial • no email or credit card required


quote

Total Doc Converter Customer Reviews 2026

Rate It
Rated 4.7/5 based on customer reviews
5 Star

"Our attorneys draft everything in Word, but the court filing system requires RTF. I used to open each document and Save As, one by one. With Total Doc Converter I select the entire case folder and get all RTF files in under a minute. The formatting comes through perfectly — tables, numbered lists, footnotes, everything."

5 Star Margaret Holloway Legal Secretary, Peterson & Clark LLP

"Our ERP system only imports RTF documents. Every week I receive 40-60 Word reports from branch offices. I wrote a one-line batch script with the command-line converter and scheduled it to run every Monday morning. The whole process is fully automatic now — no manual work at all."

5 Star Ravi Shankar IT Administrator, Manufacturing Company

"We maintain a library of RTF templates for our help system. Writers submit drafts in DOCX and I batch-convert them to RTF before importing. Total Doc Converter keeps the styles and images intact. The folder structure feature is great — I drop in 200 files from 15 product folders and the output mirrors the layout exactly."

4 Star Christine Dupont Technical Writer, Software Company

FAQ ▼

Install Total Doc Converter, navigate to the folder with your DOC or DOCX files, check the ones you need (or click Check All), click RTF in the format toolbar, set the output folder, and press Start. All selected files are converted to RTF in one batch.
Yes. Fonts, tables, images, headers, footers, page breaks, and paragraph styles transfer to RTF intact. The output looks the same as the Word original.
Yes. Total Doc Converter includes a command-line interface. A typical command is: DocConverter.exe C:\Data\*.docx C:\Output\ -c RTF. Save it in a .bat file and schedule it with Windows Task Scheduler for automated processing.
DOC is a legacy binary format from Microsoft Word. DOCX is its modern XML-based replacement. RTF is a cross-platform text-based format readable by virtually any word processor. RTF cannot contain macros, which makes it safer for document exchange.
No. Total Doc Converter handles files of any size and any quantity. You can convert 10 files or 10,000 in a single batch with no restrictions.
Yes. When you convert files from multiple subfolders, the converter recreates the same directory tree in the output location automatically.
Yes. The free trial runs for 30 days with full functionality. No email address or credit card is required. A personal license costs $49.90.

 

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