How to Convert RTF to TXT Using Python

Rich Text Format (RTF) files are commonly used for formatted text documents, but sometimes you may need plain text (TXT) for processing or analysis. Python makes this conversion simple with the right libraries. In this guide, we’ll explore the easiest way to convert RTF to TXT using Python.

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Prerequisites

Before we begin, ensure you have Python installed on your system. You’ll also need the pyth library, which is widely used for RTF parsing. Install it using pip:

pip install pyth

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Step-by-Step Conversion Process

1. Import the Required Module

First, import the pyth.plugins.rtf15.reader module to handle RTF files:

from pyth.plugins.rtf15.reader import Rtf15Reader

2. Read the RTF File

Use Rtf15Reader.read() to parse the RTF file:

with open("input.rtf", "rb") as file:
    doc = Rtf15Reader.read(file)

3. Extract Plain Text

The parsed document can be converted to plain text using the content property:

plain_text = doc.content

4. Save as TXT File

Finally, write the extracted text to a new TXT file:

with open("output.txt", "w", encoding="utf-8") as file:
    file.write(plain_text)

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Complete Code Example

Here’s the full script to convert an RTF file to TXT:

from pyth.plugins.rtf15.reader import Rtf15Reader

# Read RTF file
with open("input.rtf", "rb") as file:
    doc = Rtf15Reader.read(file)

# Extract plain text
plain_text = doc.content

# Save as TXT
with open("output.txt", "w", encoding="utf-8") as file:
    file.write(plain_text)

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Alternative Libraries

If pyth doesn’t work for your use case, consider these alternatives:

• striprtf: A lightweight library for stripping RTF formatting.
• PyRTF: Another parser for RTF documents.

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Summary: Converting RTF to TXT in Python is straightforward with the pyth library. This guide covers reading, parsing, and saving the output in plain text format.

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