Rich Text Format (RTF) is a specification for encoding formatted text and graphics. The principal BENEFIT of RTF is that it's supported by a number of word processors on a number of different platforms. For instance, if Joe uses Word on a PC to create RTF files, he could share them with Jane, who uses an entirely different word processor on a Macintosh. All versions of Word dating back to Word 1.0 NATIVELY support RTF.

Word can open and process RTF documents, and Word documents can be saved in RTF if desired. However, there is a security vulnerability involving the way Word OPENS such files, and this could allow macros to RUN without the user's permission.

Rich Text Format (RTF) is a specification for encoding formatted text and graphics. The principal benefit of RTF is that it's supported by a number of word processors on a number of different platforms. For instance, if Joe uses Word on a PC to create RTF files, he could share them with Jane, who uses an entirely different word processor on a Macintosh. All versions of Word dating back to Word 1.0 natively support RTF.

Word can open and process RTF documents, and Word documents can be saved in RTF if desired. However, there is a security vulnerability involving the way Word opens such files, and this could allow macros to run without the user's permission.