RTF and PDF explained
RTF is a plain-text markup format for styled documents. Opening one in a text editor shows readable markup, which makes it unusually durable — but it supports only basic formatting.
PDF describes a page as a fixed arrangement of text, vector graphics and images. Unlike a word processor document, it is designed so the page looks identical everywhere — which is exactly why it is awkward to edit.
- Where RTF files come from
- Cross-application document exchange, especially from older software.
- Where PDF is used
- Contracts, invoices, reports, forms, academic papers and scanned documents.