XLSX vs RTF
How do XLSX and RTFcompare? Here's everything you need to know to choose the right format — and how to convert between them.
.xlsx
Full guide →Office Open XML Spreadsheet
XLSX is the default format for Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. It supports complex formulas, charts, pivot tables, and large datasets. It's the industry standard for data analysis and financial modeling.
.rtf
Full guide →Rich Text Format
RTF is a cross-platform document format that supports basic formatting like bold, italic, fonts, and colors. It's a universal middle ground between plain text and full document formats.
| Specification | XLSX | RTF |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Office Open XML Spreadsheet | Rich Text Format |
| Extension | .xlsx | .rtf |
| MIME type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet | application/rtf |
| Category | Document | Document |
| Developer | Microsoft | Microsoft |
| Year introduced | 2007 | 1987 |
XLSX advantages
- Powerful formula and calculation engine
- Supports charts, pivot tables, and macros
- Industry standard for business data
- Compatible with Google Sheets and LibreOffice
XLSX limitations
- Complex format for simple data
- Can be slow with very large datasets
- Formatting issues between applications
- Requires office software for full features
RTF advantages
- Cross-platform compatibility
- Basic formatting support
- No macros — safer than DOC/DOCX
- Human-readable markup
RTF limitations
- Limited advanced formatting
- Larger than plain text
- No modern features like tables or charts
- Inconsistent rendering across editors
Which should you use?
XLSX and RTF serve different purposes. XLSX is ideal for financial reports and budgets, while RTF excels at cross-platform document sharing.
Best uses for XLSX
Best uses for RTF
Convert between XLSX and RTF
Need to switch formats? Convert for free with SquishConvert.