What's an RTF file?

An RTF file or Rich Text Format file is a way of storing a word-processor document so that it can be widely used.

An RTF file can be transferred to your computer, read by many different word processing programs, and look the same everywhere (retaining emphasis, tables, indenting, etc).

Word, WordPerfect, Nisus Writer, Claris Works, and others can all read RTF files and show the document looking much the same in all cases, on a Macintosh, Unix or Windows computer.

So how do I 'get' an RTF file?

Usually there will be a link, some coloured (usually blue) words or a picture (button), indicating the nature of the file. When you click on the words or the button, the file will be sent to your computer.You may choose to save the file; you'll have a chance to tell the computer where on the hard disk or a floppy disk you want the file to go.

What will happen when I click on one of the blue links?

This will depend on whether the Web browser (Navigator?) you are using has been set to deal automatically with RTF files.....

If the browser has been set?

The file will be transferred to your computer and automatically loaded into the word processor set previously. You can then save the file where you choose, edit it or print all or part of the document.

If the browser is set wrongly (eg it loads the wrong application), you can

• alter the setting (Nav3, use Options, General Preferences, Helpers; Nav4, use Edit, Preferences, Navigator, Applications)

or

• force the browser to save the file on your computer by clicking on the blue link with the right mouse button (Windows) or click and hold on the link (Macintosh). From the pop-up menu that appears, choose Save this link as..., and then show the computer where to save the document.

If it has not been set?

You will be shown a small window with 4 buttons, something like this...

Which button will you click?

If you wish to set the browser to automatically start a word processor

Click the Pick app button and show Navigator (ie, the Web browser) where the word processor is that you want to use. That word processor will be started, the document file will be loaded into it, and Navigator will remember next time.

If you just want to save the file so you can, for example, take it away with you

Click the Save file button and show Navigator where you want the file saved. Then you can open it later (here or elsewhere) using many popular word processors.

If you want to save the file, but it automatically gets loaded into a word processor when you click on the blue link

Use the File menu in the word processor to Save the document wherever you want it to go.

If you see gibberish on the screen

You'll have to set your browser so it does NOT view the file. From the Edit menu, select Preferences - Navigator - Applications, then edit the entry for Rich Text File, choosing the option Save to disk.

Why are documents put into RTF?

We usually use RTF files so you can get a portable copy of some learning material.

When a file is saved as RTF, the formatting of the document (the instructions for which parts of the document are bold, italic, enlarged fonts, etc) is preserved. In whichever program or type of computer the file is opened, the pages will look much the same.

We usually use RTF files so that you can transfer the file to the computer you're using, take it home on a floppy disk and open it with whatever word processor you use. If you're connecting over the Internet, then you can save the file on your own computer so you can read it later and e.g. print just page seven.