How to Convert RTF to DOCX Using Python?

If you're working with documents in Python, you might need to convert Rich Text Format (RTF) files to the modern DOCX format. Whether for automation, batch processing, or integrating with other tools, Python makes this task straightforward. In this guide, we'll use the python-docx and pyth libraries—two of the most popular modules for handling DOCX and RTF files.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, ensure you have the following installed:

Python 3.6 or later
The python-docx library (for DOCX manipulation)
The pyth library (for RTF parsing)

Install them using pip:

pip install python-docx pyth

Step-by-Step Conversion Process

1. Reading the RTF File

First, we'll use the pyth library to parse the RTF file. This library helps extract text and basic formatting from RTF documents.

from pyth.plugins.rtf15.reader import Rtf15Reader

def read_rtf(file_path):
    with open(file_path, 'rb') as file:
        doc = Rtf15Reader.read(file)
    return doc

2. Creating a DOCX File

Next, we'll use python-docx to create a new DOCX file and populate it with the content from the RTF file.

from docx import Document

def create_docx(content, output_path):
    doc = Document()
    for paragraph in content.content:
        doc.add_paragraph(paragraph.content)
    doc.save(output_path)

3. Combining Both Steps

Now, let's combine these functions to convert an RTF file to DOCX:

def rtf_to_docx(input_path, output_path):
    rtf_content = read_rtf(input_path)
    create_docx(rtf_content, output_path)
    print(f"Successfully converted {input_path} to {output_path}")

Handling Formatting (Optional)

If your RTF file contains complex formatting (bold, italics, etc.), you can extend the script to preserve these styles:

def create_styled_docx(content, output_path):
    doc = Document()
    for paragraph in content.content:
        p = doc.add_paragraph()
        for text in paragraph.content:
            run = p.add_run(text.content)
            if text.bold:
                run.bold = True
            if text.italic:
                run.italic = True
    doc.save(output_path)

Final Thoughts

Converting RTF to DOCX in Python is simple with the right libraries. While pyth and python-docx handle basic conversions well, for advanced formatting, you might need additional processing. This method is perfect for automating document conversions in workflows.

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