File formats provide a standardized and organized forum for encoding necessary information within the computer. There are several different types of file formats that are in common use today. While some may be open, still others may be unpublished. RTF and TXT are two such file formats that are in wide circulation across processing systems. While they may be confused to mean the same things, RTF and TXT have several differences.
RTF vs TXT
The main difference between RTF and TXT is that RTF provides several formatting options to users. Some of these include changing the text to italics, bold, or underlined. On the other hand, there are little to no formatting options that are provided in the Text format files.
RTF is the internal makeup language that has a prominent use in Microsoft Word. There are several merits of the Rich Text Format files. The most significant out of these is that they do not spread viruses. Furthermore, they are relatively easy to use and access from different operating systems. RTF format can usually be read by every Word Processing program.
TXT file refers to a text document that comprises plain texts. In fact, the only formatting that may be allowed on TXT is the provision of line breaks as well as spacing between paragraphs or words. However, a TXT is considered disadvantageous due to a lack of data integrity. Additionally, there is no specific way to organise data in the TXT files.
Comparison Table Between RTF and TXT
| Parameters of Comparison | RTF | TXT |
| Meaning | RTF refers to Rich Text Format. | TXT refers to plain text. |
| Images | RTF files can include attached photos. | TXT files do not provide the provision of adding photos. |
| Extension name | TF files have a .rtf file extension. | TXT files have a .txt file extension. |
| Advantage | RTF does not spread viruses and is relatively easy to use. | TXT is readable even across low-interface softwares. |
| Disadvantage | RTF files are significantly larger in size. | TXT files lack data integrity and are usually inefficient. |
What is RTF?
RTF stands for Rich Text Format. RTF was developed by the Microsoft Corporation in 1987. RTF is the internal makeup language that has a prominent use in Microsoft Word. RTF allows for the use of some type of formatting like italics, bold, underline and so on. In addition, Rich Text File enables users to write colored text and choose different fonts.
RTF allows the inclusion of several different picture formats within itself. Some of these formats are JPEG, Apple PICT, Windows Device Independent Bitmap, and PNG. However, RTF does not display a picture in softwares that does not support the format of the picture. RTF format can usually be read by every Word Processing program.
The initial objective of introducing RTF was to ensure the existence of a file that could be assessed even by individuals who did not use Microsoft Word. RTF also functioned as the building block of the Windows help files before it was superseded by HTML files. An individual can simply access an RTF by double-clicking the file.
Although Microsoft discontinued Rich Text Format Files in 2008, they are still popularly shared by and supported by apps on almost all operating systems. Rich Text Format files are in common circulation because of the relative ease of operation that they offer. In addition, it does not lead to the spread of viruses on an individual’s device.
What is TXT?
TXT file refers to a text document that comprises plain texts. The plain texts, furthermore, are usually in the form of lines. A TXT file can usually be assessed in any word processor or text editor on varying types of operating systems. The text contained in the TXT files is easily readable to individuals and consists of a sequence of characters.
A text file is capable of storing a large amount of data. This is because there are no restrictions on the content size within such files. Nonetheless, the text editors which may be used to access such files should be compatible to load and display them on the screen. There are no specifications for the Text File Format.
The text present in the Text Format files is usually devoid of any formatting such as bold, italics, or underlined. Furthermore, there is no option to use coloured texts or change fonts. Thus, TXT serves as a basic text format. The only formatting that may be allowed on TXT is the provision of line breaks as well as spacing between paragraphs or words.
A fundamental advantage of text files is that they are versatile and usually of a small size. They can be accessed on different operating systems that use even the most basic software. However, a major disadvantage of TXT files is their relative simplicity. Redundancy may also be a likely outcome of using the text format files.
Main Differences Between RTF and TXT
- While RTF stands for Rich Text Format, TXT stands for plain text files.
- RTF files allow basic formatting to texts. On the other hand, there are little to no formatting provisions in the text files.
- A user can add basic images in Rich Text Format files. However, no images can be attached to plain text files.
- An advantage of Rich Text Format files is the relative ease of operation that they offer. In contrast, a merit of text files is that they are versatile and usually of a small size.
- RTF files are usually larger in size as compared to plain text files.
Conclusion
Thus, RTF and TXT have considerable differences. While RTF files provide a wide variety of formatting options to choose from, the same is not true for TXT files. The text in TXT is devoid of any formatting and there is no option to use coloured texts or change fonts. The simplicity of TXT may also be one of its significant demerits.
A potent advantage of both the RTF and TXT files is that they can be easily assessed on a wide variety of operating systems. Furthermore, they are relatively convenient to use. To conclude, RTF and TXT files have some commonalities but several differences between them.
References
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rich_Text_Format
- https://statmath.wu.ac.at/courses/data-analysis/itdtHTML/node56.html