Convert DOCX to RTF on Mac
Select the DOCX files in Finder, press ⌥ F, choose RTF and press Return. FileFlip saves each RTF next to its original and works without an internet connection.
How to convert DOCX to RTF with FileFlip
Select the DOCX files
In Finder or on the Desktop. One file, or a whole folder with ⌘ A.
Press ⌥ F
FileFlip opens next to the selection and lists the formats it can make from DOCX. Type “RTF” to jump to it.
Choose RTF and press Return
The RTF files appear next to the originals with the same names. The DOCX files stay as they are.
DOCX and RTF
Not everyone has Word, and layouts can shift when a DOCX is opened elsewhere. RTF keeps basic formatting and opens in almost any word processor, including TextEdit.
What changes when you convert
- Word-specific features such as tracked changes and comments may not carry over.
| Property | DOCX | RTF |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Word document (Office Open XML) | Rich Text Format |
| Made by | Microsoft | Microsoft |
| Introduced | 2007 | 1987 |
| Best for | Documents you’ll edit or send to Word users | Simple formatted text that has to open anywhere |
| Opens in | Word, Pages, Google Docs and LibreOffice; TextEdit opens it with simpler formatting | TextEdit, Pages, Word, LibreOffice and most word processors |
| File extension | .docx | .rtf |
| In FileFlip | Opens and saves | Opens and saves |
Other ways on a Mac
For one file now and then you may not need FileFlip. These work with what’s already on your Mac.
TextEdit
Open the DOCX in TextEdit, hold Option and choose File → Save As, then pick Rich Text Document in the File Format menu.
TextEdit keeps basic formatting; complex layouts may change.
Pages
Pages is free from Apple. Open the DOCX in Pages and choose File → Export To → RTF.
Handles more complex layouts than TextEdit.
Terminal
textutil converts between common document formats. This writes letter.rtf next to the original.
textutil -convert rtf letter.docxBuilt into macOS and good for whole folders.
Questions about DOCX and RTF
Can I convert many DOCX files at once?
Yes. Select them all in Finder, press ⌥ F and choose RTF. Progress moves to the menu bar, so you can close the panel and keep working.
Will the formatting be kept?
Headings, fonts, bold and lists usually carry over. Complex layouts, tracked changes and app-specific features may look different in the new format.
Where is the RTF file saved?
Next to the original, with the same name and the .rtf extension. The DOCX file isn’t changed. In Settings you can choose a different folder instead.
Can I convert RTF back to DOCX?
Yes, FileFlip converts RTF to DOCX as well.
Are my files uploaded anywhere?
No. FileFlip converts files on your Mac and works with the internet turned off.
Convert a folder of documents at once
FileFlip also handles images, camera raw files, video, audio, PDFs and data files. Requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later.
Coming soon for Mac