Convert DOCM to RTF — Free Online Converter
Convert Word Macro-Enabled Document (.docm) to Rich Text Format (.rtf) online for free. Fast, secure document conversion with no watermarks or registr...
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How to Convert
Upload your .docm file by dragging it into the upload area or clicking to browse.
Choose your output settings. The default settings work great for most files.
Click Convert and download your .rtf file when it's ready.
About DOCM to RTF Conversion
DOCM is Microsoft Word's macro-enabled Open XML format containing VBA automation code within a standard document package. RTF (Rich Text Format) is Microsoft's text-based interchange format designed to be readable by virtually every word processor on every platform. RTF encodes formatting as plain-text control words, making it one of the most universally compatible document formats in existence.
Converting DOCM to RTF strips all VBA macros and produces a clean, universally readable document. RTF is particularly valued in security-conscious environments because its text-based nature makes it inherently safe — there is no mechanism for embedding executable code in RTF files.
Why Convert DOCM to RTF?
RTF is the format of choice when maximum cross-platform compatibility is needed without any security concerns. Unlike DOCM (which can carry malicious macros), RTF is inherently safe because it contains only formatting markup as plain text. Email security filters universally accept RTF attachments, making it ideal for sensitive document distribution.
RTF also provides broad compatibility with word processors across all operating systems. LibreOffice, TextEdit (macOS), WordPad (Windows), Google Docs, and virtually every word processing application from the last 30 years can open RTF files. This makes RTF a reliable fallback format when the recipient's software capabilities are unknown.
Common Use Cases
- Strip macros from DOCM files and produce a security-safe document for email distribution
- Share document content with recipients using unknown or varied word processing software
- Prepare documents for legal discovery where RTF is accepted as a standard submission format
- Convert DOCM templates to RTF for cross-platform editing in any word processor
- Import document content into publishing systems that accept RTF as their input format
How It Works
LibreOffice imports the DOCM package, parsing Open XML content and styles while discarding the VBA project binary. The document content is exported through LibreOffice's RTF writer, encoding paragraphs, character formatting, tables, and images as RTF control words and groups. Embedded images are converted to hexadecimal-encoded bitmap or PNG data within the RTF stream. Font tables, color tables, and style sheets are written as RTF header groups. The output follows the RTF 1.9.1 specification.
Quality & Performance
Core document content — text, paragraphs, headings, bold, italic, fonts, colors, tables, and embedded images — transfers accurately to RTF. Complex formatting features like SmartArt, advanced page borders, text effects (shadow, glow), and certain table styles may simplify since RTF has a narrower formatting vocabulary than Open XML. Page layout (margins, orientation, page size) is preserved. All macros are removed.
Device Compatibility
| Device | DOCM | RTF |
|---|---|---|
| Windows PC | Partial | Partial |
| macOS | Partial | Partial |
| iPhone/iPad | Partial | Partial |
| Android | Partial | Partial |
| Linux | Partial | Partial |
| Web Browser | No | No |
Tips for Best Results
- 1Use RTF when security is paramount — it is the safest rich-text format for document exchange
- 2Expect some formatting simplification compared to the original DOCM, especially for advanced Word features
- 3RTF files can be opened in plain text editors to inspect and debug formatting if needed
- 4For modern workflows where security is not the primary concern, DOCX is generally a better target than RTF
- 5Check table formatting after conversion since complex merged-cell layouts may render differently in RTF
DOCM-to-RTF conversion produces a universally compatible, inherently safe document by stripping macro code and encoding content in the most widely supported rich text interchange format.