Convert DOT to RTF — Free Online Converter
Convert Word Document Template (.dot) to Rich Text Format (.rtf) online for free. Fast, secure document conversion with no watermarks or registration....
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How to Convert
Upload your .dot 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 DOT to RTF Conversion
DOT is Microsoft Word's legacy template format from the Word 97-2003 era, storing document content, styles, and page settings in the proprietary OLE2 binary structure. RTF (Rich Text Format) is a text-based document interchange format that encodes formatting as readable control words, making it compatible with virtually every word processor across every operating system.
Converting DOT to RTF extracts the template content and formatting into a universally compatible rich text file. RTF's text-based structure makes it inherently safe (no executable code), broadly compatible, and suitable for any environment where the legacy binary DOT format is not supported.
Why Convert DOT to RTF?
RTF provides the broadest possible compatibility for formatted documents. While DOT files require Word or a compatible application, RTF files open in WordPad, TextEdit, LibreOffice, Google Docs, and essentially any word processor made in the last three decades. This makes RTF ideal for distributing template content to recipients with unknown or varied software.
RTF is also inherently safe from a security perspective. Unlike DOT files (which can contain VBA macros), RTF cannot carry executable code. Security-conscious environments that restrict binary Office formats often accept RTF as a safe alternative for rich text document exchange.
Common Use Cases
- Distribute legacy template content to recipients with varied or unknown word processing software
- Strip macros from DOT templates and produce a security-safe rich text document
- Import template content into publishing systems or CMS platforms that accept RTF input
- Share template designs across platforms where the DOT binary format is not supported
- Convert legacy templates for use in legal document management systems that prefer RTF
How It Works
LibreOffice parses the DOT's OLE2 binary structure, extracting text content, paragraph formatting, character styles, table definitions, and embedded images. The content is exported through the RTF writer, encoding formatting as RTF control words ( for bold, \i for italic, s for font size, etc.). Images are embedded as hexadecimal data. Font tables, color tables, and stylesheet definitions are written as RTF header groups. The output follows the RTF 1.9.1 specification for maximum compatibility.
Quality & Performance
Standard document formatting transfers accurately to RTF. Text, fonts, sizes, colors, bold, italic, underline, paragraphs, lists, tables, and embedded images are preserved. Complex legacy Word features (WordArt, OLE objects, advanced table borders, page border art) may simplify in RTF since it has a more limited formatting vocabulary. Page layout properties (margins, page size, orientation) are preserved in RTF header properties.
Device Compatibility
| Device | DOT | 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
- 1Choose RTF when maximum cross-platform compatibility is needed, especially for older software environments
- 2RTF is an excellent format for legal document exchange due to its universal support and security safety
- 3For modern workflows, DOCX is generally preferred over RTF for richer formatting support
- 4Review table formatting after conversion since complex layouts may simplify in RTF
- 5RTF is a good intermediate format for importing legacy template content into other document systems
DOT-to-RTF conversion produces the most universally compatible rich text representation of legacy Word template content, suitable for cross-platform distribution and security-conscious environments.