What quality should I expect from the RTF output?

Our converter preserves as much fidelity as Rich Text Format allows. Where Microsoft Excel 97-2003 Spreadsheet carries information that Rich Text Format cannot represent, that information is mapped to the closest equivalent (for example, color spaces, codec parameters, or metadata fields). For most everyday uses the result is indistinguishable from the source.

Are styles, images, and tables preserved when converting XLS to RTF?

Most styling is preserved: headings, paragraphs, lists, basic tables, and inline images. Complex elements like advanced table formatting, footnotes, or custom theming may shift slightly because Microsoft Excel 97-2003 Spreadsheet and Rich Text Format use different document models. Always review the RTF output before sending it on, especially for documents that depend on precise layout.

What file size should I expect for the RTF output?

The output size depends on the content and the compression characteristics of Rich Text Format. In most cases the RTF file will be in the same ballpark as your XLS input, with differences driven by how each format encodes data. There is no fixed ratio — the converter does not change quality settings unless you ask it to.

When should I convert XLS to RTF instead of staying with XLS?

Convert when the application, device, or workflow you are targeting prefers Rich Text Format over Microsoft Excel 97-2003 Spreadsheet. If your current XLS file already opens and behaves correctly everywhere you need it to, there is no benefit to converting — keep the original. The most common reasons to switch are compatibility (a tool only accepts RTF), distribution (recipients expect RTF), or feature requirements specific to Rich Text Format.

What is the maximum XLS file size I can convert?

MegaConvert accepts XLS files up to 100 MB on the free service, which is enough for the vast majority of real-world Microsoft Excel 97-2003 Spreadsheet files. If you have a larger file (typical for high-resolution video or uncompressed audio), please contact us — we can sometimes accommodate larger uploads for legitimate use cases.

Is my XLS file safe and private when I upload it?

Yes. Your XLS file is uploaded over HTTPS, processed in an isolated job environment, and deleted from our servers within one hour. We do not read, index, store, or share the contents of your file. No account is required, so the upload is not associated with a personal identity. See our privacy policy for the full details.

Convert XLS to RTF

Free online XLS to RTF converter. No signup required.

Drag & drop your file here

or click to browse

Max file size: 100 MB

Why Convert XLS to RTF?

Understand when and why this conversion makes sense for your workflow.

Converting Microsoft Excel 97-2003 Spreadsheet to Rich Text Format addresses one of the most practical challenges in modern work: sharing and editing documents across different platforms and applications. Document formats vary widely in how they store text, images, fonts, and layout — meaning a file that looks perfect in one program may render incorrectly in another. Converting to the right format ensures that your content is either fully editable or perfectly preserved for distribution, depending on what you need.

Microsoft Excel 97-2003 Spreadsheet has a known limitation: proprietary binary format that is harder to parse than XLSX. In contrast, Rich Text Format offers a key advantage: universal compatibility across virtually all word processors and platforms. While Microsoft Excel 97-2003 Spreadsheet is commonly used for legacy spreadsheet archives from pre-2007 systems, Rich Text Format is better suited for cross-platform formatted document exchange.

MegaConvert handles the XLS-to-RTF conversion automatically, preserving your document's structure and content as faithfully as the formats allow — no software installation required.

XLS vs RTF: Format Comparison

Side-by-side comparison of the source and target formats.

Property	XLS (Source)	RTF (Target)
Extension	.xls	.rtf
Full Name	Microsoft Excel 97-2003 Spreadsheet	Rich Text Format
Compression	Varies	Varies
File Size	Small	Varies
Best For	Legacy spreadsheet archives from pre-2007 sys…	Cross-platform formatted document exchange
Browser Support	Varies	Varies

How to Convert XLS to RTF

Follow these simple steps to convert your file in seconds.

Upload your XLS document
Select your .xls file from your computer. Microsoft Excel 97-2003 Spreadsheet documents — including those with embedded images, tables, footnotes, and complex layouts — are supported. Larger documents may take a moment longer to parse before conversion begins.
Click "Convert to RTF"
Press the convert button. We parse the structure of the Microsoft Excel 97-2003 Spreadsheet document — text, headings, lists, tables, images — and rebuild it in Rich Text Format format. Fonts are embedded where the target supports it. The conversion typically completes in a few seconds.
Wait for the document to render
Most document conversions finish in under five seconds. Complex documents with many embedded images, tables, or footnotes may take a little longer to render — the converter takes the time it needs to preserve formatting accurately.
Download your .rtf file
When the conversion finishes, click the download link to save the new Rich Text Format file to your computer. The file is yours — no watermarks, no expiration on the file itself, and no MegaConvert account is required to download it.

Tips for Converting XLS to RTF

Practical advice to get the best results from this conversion.

Why this conversion is worth doing

Microsoft Excel 97-2003 Spreadsheet has a known limitation: proprietary binary format that is harder to parse than XLSX. Rich Text Format addresses this with a key advantage: universal compatibility across virtually all word processors and platforms. Converting from XLS to RTF is most worthwhile when this specific trade-off matters for the way you intend to use the file.

Match the format to the actual workflow

Microsoft Excel 97-2003 Spreadsheet is most commonly used for legacy spreadsheet archives from pre-2007 systems, while Rich Text Format is the standard for cross-platform formatted document exchange. If your workflow is closer to the second pattern, converting makes sense. If you are still working in a context where XLS is the norm, converting may create unnecessary compatibility friction with collaborators or tools that expect the source format.

Watch for this limitation in the RTF output

Rich Text Format has its own limitation worth understanding before you commit: limited support for advanced formatting like styles, headers, and footnotes. After the conversion completes, open the RTF file and verify that this limitation does not affect your specific use case — for some workflows it is irrelevant; for others it can be a deal-breaker.

Understand the editing vs. viewing trade-off

Some document formats are designed for editing (DOCX, ODT), while others are intended for final distribution (PDF). Converting to PDF locks in your formatting and makes it difficult to edit the content later. If you plan to revise the document further, keep an editable source copy before converting.

Understanding XLS and RTF Formats

Learn about the source and target file formats to understand what happens during conversion.

Source Format

Microsoft Excel 97-2003 Spreadsheet

application/vnd.ms-excel

XLS is the legacy binary spreadsheet format used by Microsoft Excel from version 97 through 2003. It stores worksheets with data, formulas, charts, and formatting in a proprietary binary structure. While superseded by XLSX, XLS files remain prevalent in legacy business systems and archives.

Advantages

Compatible with all versions of Microsoft Excel
Smaller file sizes for simple spreadsheets in some cases
Extensive legacy data in business and government systems

Limitations

Proprietary binary format that is harder to parse than XLSX
Row limit of 65,536 and column limit of 256
Vulnerable to macro-based malware and security exploits

Common Uses

Legacy spreadsheet archives from pre-2007 systems
Compatibility with older Excel-based business applications
Data exchange with systems that only support XLS format

Target Format

Rich Text Format

application/rtf

RTF (Rich Text Format) is a document file format developed by Microsoft that supports basic text formatting including fonts, colors, bold, italic, and simple tables. It uses a plain-text markup syntax that is readable across virtually all word processors and operating systems. RTF was designed as an interchange format for formatted documents between different applications.

Advantages

Universal compatibility across virtually all word processors and platforms
Human-readable markup that can be edited in any text editor
Good format for simple formatted documents without complex layouts

Limitations

Limited support for advanced formatting like styles, headers, and footnotes
File sizes can be larger than DOCX for equivalent content
No support for modern features like tracked changes or comments

Common Uses

Cross-platform formatted document exchange
Simple formatted documents where universal compatibility is needed
Text editor output with basic formatting

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about converting XLS to RTF.

Related Conversions

Explore other conversions related to XLS and RTF.

Other conversions from XLS

XLS to PDF XLS to DOCX XLS to DOC XLS to ODT XLS to TXT XLS to HTML XLS to XLSX XLS to ODS XLS to CSV XLS to TSV

Other conversions to RTF

PDF to RTF DOCX to RTF DOC to RTF ODT to RTF TXT to RTF HTML to RTF XLSX to RTF ODS to RTF CSV to RTF TSV to RTF

Convert XLS to RTF

Why Convert XLS to RTF?

XLS vs RTF: Format Comparison

How to Convert XLS to RTF

Upload your XLS document

Click "Convert to RTF"

Wait for the document to render

Download your .rtf file

Tips for Converting XLS to RTF

Why this conversion is worth doing

Match the format to the actual workflow

Watch for this limitation in the RTF output

Understand the editing vs. viewing trade-off

Understanding XLS and RTF Formats

Microsoft Excel 97-2003 Spreadsheet

Advantages

Limitations

Common Uses

Rich Text Format

Advantages

Limitations

Common Uses

Frequently Asked Questions

What quality should I expect from the RTF output?

Are styles, images, and tables preserved when converting XLS to RTF?

What file size should I expect for the RTF output?

When should I convert XLS to RTF instead of staying with XLS?

What is the maximum XLS file size I can convert?

Is my XLS file safe and private when I upload it?

Related Conversions

Other conversions from XLS

Other conversions to RTF