Convert RTF to PDF on Mac
Select the RTF files in Finder, press ⌥ F, choose PDF and press Return. FileFlip saves each PDF next to its original and works without an internet connection.
How to convert RTF to PDF with FileFlip
Select the RTF 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 RTF. Type “PDF” to jump to it.
Choose PDF and press Return
The PDF files appear next to the originals with the same names. The RTF files stay as they are.
RTF and PDF
RTF only supports basic formatting. A PDF looks the same on every device and is the safest way to send something to be read or printed.
What changes when you convert
- A PDF looks the same on every device but is hard to edit, so keep the RTF if you’ll need to make changes.
| Property | RTF | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Rich Text Format | Portable Document Format |
| Made by | Microsoft | Adobe; an ISO standard since 2008 |
| Introduced | 1987 | 1993 |
| Best for | Simple formatted text that has to open anywhere | Sharing, printing and archiving documents |
| Opens in | TextEdit, Pages, Word, LibreOffice and most word processors | Every browser, Preview, Acrobat and every phone |
| File extension | .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 RTF in TextEdit and choose File → Export as PDF.
TextEdit keeps basic formatting; complex layouts may change.
Pages
Pages is free from Apple. Open the RTF in Pages and choose File → Export To → PDF.
Handles more complex layouts than TextEdit.
Print to PDF
In almost any app that opens the document, choose File → Print, open the PDF menu and choose Save as PDF.
Works from nearly every app.
Questions about RTF and PDF
Can I convert many RTF files at once?
Yes. Select them all in Finder, press ⌥ F and choose PDF. Progress moves to the menu bar, so you can close the panel and keep working.
Where is the PDF file saved?
Next to the original, with the same name and the .pdf extension. The RTF file isn’t changed. In Settings you can choose a different folder instead.
Can I convert PDF back to RTF?
No, FileFlip doesn’t convert PDF to RTF.
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