Convert Word 2007 and OpenOffice files (DOCX, DOTX, SXW, and ODT) to rich text files (RTF) with Docx2Rtf

Docx2Rtf ScreenshotDescription: Docx2Rtf is a free program that can convert .DOCX and .DOTX (Word 2007 MS Word formats) as well as SXW and .ODT (OpenOffice) into the universal .RTF format that can be read and edited by any Word Processor. It also offers the ability to convert documents to .PDF and can open, view, and print all the above mentioned formats as well as PalmOS Database Documents (*.PDF) and Aportis (*.PRC) files.

The recent release of MS Office 2007 brought in a number of file formats that do not open with older versions of MS Office or other word processing programs such as the OpenOffice Writer. Most of the time users of Office 2007 send out these files to colleagues and collaborators who only afterwards discover the incompatibility. It is possible to go around this simply by saving using the old .DOC format or, if you have an older version of Office, by using the Office 2007 Compatibility Pack that Microsoft released. A program like Docx2Rtf , however, gives you the ability to free a Word 2007 document from Office and convert it altogether to .RTF, which will allow you to use any word processor program to edit and/or work with the document. You may, however, lose some formatting and or functionality in the process.

To test this program I created a .DOCX document that included tables, special characters, some bolded, italicized, and underlined text, a formatted image, an embedded Excel sheet, a numbered list, and a URL linked to a text lable. For the results (and more notes on this program) see below:

  • Converted elements: transfers text, (most) special characters and images (without any effects). Bolded text transferred as such but italicized and underlined text did not. Tables (and Excel sheets) as well as numbered lists lost their formatting and their contents were simply listed in rows of text. Linked URLs not transferred. (Note: most of this loss of fidelity is due to the limitations of the RTF format itself rather than Docx2Rtf).
  • Contingencies: you do not need Word 2007, OpenOffice or any other program to perform the conversions.
  • The user interface: of this program is very nice. Converted pages are displayed as thumbnails on the left pane and the various settings on the main interface area.
  • Settings: include which pages to print (specify a range, odd, even, or all), convert to grayscale, save, and create a PDF.
  • PDF creation: works fairly well, but I prefer a virtual PDF printer to do this (such as PDFCreator, SWF Printer Pro, etc.)
  • No install program: just unzip and run.

The verdict: a handy tool that will liberate you from these fancy new formats if that is what you seek, but you will likely need to do some manual reformatting and re-working of the resulting .RTF file.

Version Tested: 2.4

Compatibility: WinAll.

Go to the program page to download the latest version (approx 1.72 megs).

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25 Comments so far

  1. [...] Docx2Rtf 2.4 es una aplicación gratuita que puede convertir los archivos . DOCX y. DOTX (Word 2007 MS Word), así como y SXW. ODT (OpenOffice) en el universal. RTF que puede ser editado por cualquier procesador de texto… [...]

  2. [...] Read here for more info. [...]

  3. [...] Windows only: The latest editions of Microsoft Office might have made some welcome interface and functionality improvements, but the newer .docx file formats can leave your co-workers (and your other computers) struggling to open its files. Free conversion utility Docx2Rtf can take whatever Office 2007 (or OpenOffice) files, and then display them for copying or save them as Rich Text Format, the standard nearly every text editor can understand, as well as PDF if you want. The conversion isn’t always perfect, due to RTF’s limited special characters and images, but Docx2Rtf can make it easy to send out documents to recipients across the computer spectrum. Docx2Rtf is a free download for Windows systems only. To convert older Word documents, try using Google Docs as a go-between. Docx2Rtf [via Freeware Genius] [...]

  4. Andrew Z on January 23rd, 2008

    I have it working on Linux through Wine, but even on Windows, docx2rtf would not convert as well for me as it did for you.

    Andrew

  5. Star on January 27th, 2008

    Worked perfectly (Windows XP). Huge thanks!

  6. Bebu on February 7th, 2008

    PErfect: easy tot use and quickly installed

  7. Ludite on February 23rd, 2008

    Worked famously - Thank you!

  8. ramu on March 1st, 2008

    Please send this docx file software for update of my office 2003 which is earliest version.

  9. Mike on March 5th, 2008

    Very nice. Works like it should with no distractions. I especially like the “association” tasks to give me a permenant fix to the MS compatability problem. Thanks.

  10. simon on March 9th, 2008

    Nice one

  11. Tien on March 10th, 2008

    Good

  12. Venkatesh on April 11th, 2008

    Wonderful program. Works beautifully. God Bless you!

  13. Anonymous on April 14th, 2008

    thanks

  14. edi inayat muslaini on April 29th, 2008

    Worked - Thank you!

  15. dswens on May 7th, 2008

    RAD Product. Super fast, gets the job done and stays out of the way. Very simple.

  16. shady on May 8th, 2008

    thanks life saver

  17. Domenic on May 28th, 2008

    Nice, thanks. If the program page is highlighted, it’l be easier for users to find the software. thanks again

  18. Barry on June 3rd, 2008

    Great Utility, took a while to find the download site but well worth the hunt.
    Many Thanks

  19. Dave on June 4th, 2008

    Works great on XP Pro! Thanks for a good product.

  20. convert docx file on June 10th, 2008

    [...] [...]

  21. Jeevan on June 23rd, 2008

    The tool is really amazing. Thanks a ton.

  22. kamm on June 27th, 2008

    Been looking all morning for a tool to convert docx to something readable…

    This one worked straight out the box - and free too!

    Thanks heaps!

  23. convert docx on July 24th, 2008

    [...] [...]

  24. Ben on July 31st, 2008

    OMG! you saved my tail

  25. business on August 5th, 2008

    I’ve been looking all over for this. Passing it around to everyone in the office. Thanks!

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