Rich Text Format (RTF) is a Microsoft-specific format for formatting text with built-in stylistic components. RTF editors use code similar to web pages and are backwards compatible. Controversy surrounds the periodic updates of the RTF specification, with some accusing Microsoft of protecting its market share. Third-party companies are now developing online RTF editors to simplify formatting for users.
A rich text editor, also known as a rich text editor, is software that can open and manipulate rich text files. Rich Text Format is a Microsoft® specific format, but many third-party applications use it. This specification is periodically updated by Microsoft®, often in conjunction with the release of a new version of Microsoft® Office. The format has been the subject of controversy, especially from people building applications that rely on it.
Rich Text Format is a method of formatting text to include built-in stylistic components such as alignment, font, and text style. These stylistic aspects are transparent to the user, who only sees the formatting. This is a step up from plain text editors, which simply store characters and disallow formatting.
The first RTF specification was developed in the mid-1980s to coincide with the release of Microsoft® Word 3.0. This program was the very first RTF editor. Since then, the specification has undergone many changes, usually to allow for new types of formatting or the removal of unused options.
A rich text editor uses code similar to that of a web page. Headings contain information about the formatting of the document, and inline tags indicate specific formats. Typically, an RFT editor is backwards compatible with all the different versions of the document type, allowing very old documents to open properly, even if the embedded code is no longer used. These programs simply ignore any code they don’t understand and display the unformatted text on the screen.
The RTF specification has been the subject of controversy over the years. The latest version of RTF is rarely released before the corresponding version of Microsoft® Office. This allows Microsoft® for several weeks, or even months, that its programs are the only ones capable of handling the latest RTF documents. Many naysayers say this is done specifically to protect third-party manufacturers and increase Microsoft® market share.
Several third-party companies are now working on the online RTF editor. Previously, web editors required HTML or embed code from the user if they were to produce consistent formatting. This has created a steep learning curve for many users. The new online rich text editors are designed to plug into other web applications, such as a content management system, and enable consistent formatting of a standard rich text editor to work on the web.
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