Free online VSTX to RTF converter

People convert a Visio flowchart template to RTF when the recipient needs a document that can be opened and edited in common word processors. The conversion usually preserves the diagram as a pasted object or image rather than turning every connector and shape into native RTF elements.

What the VSTX format is

VSTX is the XML-based template format used by Microsoft Visio 2013 and later. It stores reusable flowchart and diagram layouts, including pages, shapes, connectors, masters, themes, styles, and custom properties. Visio creates VSTX files when a drawing is saved as a template through File → Save As with the Visio Template format. You may encounter one when someone shares a reusable process diagram, organization chart, network diagram, or other flowchart template.

What the RTF format is

RTF, or Rich Text Format, stores formatted text and can include tables, images, and embedded objects. Microsoft Word, LibreOffice Writer, WordPad, and many document-management systems can open it. RTF is useful when the recipient needs a broadly compatible document file, but it is not a diagram format and cannot natively represent Visio pages, shape geometry, connectors, or layers.

How to actually convert VSTX to RTF

Using Microsoft Visio and Word

1. Open the .vstx file in Microsoft Visio. If it opens as a template, create or open the drawing page containing the diagram.
2. Choose the page and objects to transfer. Press Ctrl+A on the page, then press Ctrl+C. For several pages, repeat the operation for each page.
3. Open Microsoft Word and create a blank document. Use Home → Paste → Paste Special, then choose Picture (Enhanced Metafile) when visual fidelity is the priority. This produces a scalable pasted representation that works reliably in RTF.
4. Choose File → Save As, select Rich Text Format (*.rtf), enter a filename such as flowchart.rtf, and save.

If the recipient must edit individual Visio objects, use the normal paste option instead of a picture, if available, and test the result in the target word processor. Embedded Visio objects may require Visio to be installed and may not remain editable after opening the RTF in another application.

Using the built-in online converter

You can convert the file on 101convert.com for free without installing software: upload the VSTX file, select RTF as the output, start the conversion, and download the resulting file. Review the output before sharing, particularly if the template contains multiple pages, embedded content, or confidential diagram data.

Quality and compatibility limitations

There is no one-to-one VSTX-to-RTF representation. RTF can retain copied text, basic formatting, and a rendered diagram, but it normally loses Visio-specific layers, shape data, hyperlinks, page settings, themes, data graphics, and connector behavior. A picture-based result preserves appearance better; an object-based result may offer more editing but has weaker compatibility.

For a multi-page template, create a separate Word section or page for each Visio page and check page orientation, scaling, fonts, and clipped shapes after saving. If the recipient needs a fully editable flowchart, keep the original VSTX file or export to a diagram-oriented format such as PDF or SVG instead of relying on RTF.