Free online WPS to RTF converter

A recipient’s editor, records system, or legacy workflow may accept editable .rtf files but reject a .wps document. Converting creates a separate Rich Text Format copy that can be opened by a wider range of word processors while retaining ordinary text formatting.

What the WPS format is

WPS is an ambiguous filename extension. It most commonly identifies documents created by Microsoft Works Word Processor, especially files from the 1990s and 2000s. It can also identify native Writer documents from WPS Office, whose format is different from Microsoft Works WPS.

Determine the source application before converting if possible. A tool that imports Microsoft Works files may not read a WPS Office document correctly, and changing .wps to another extension does not change its internal format.

What the RTF format is

RTF (Rich Text Format) is a Microsoft-defined interchange format for formatted text documents. Its text-based structure supports paragraphs, fonts, character styles, page settings, basic tables, headers, footers, and many images.

RTF is widely supported by Microsoft Word, LibreOffice Writer, WPS Office Writer, and many document-management applications. It remains editable, but it is less capable than modern formats such as .docx or .odt for complex layouts, revision data, SmartArt, embedded objects, macros, and application-specific features.

Convert the file

Upload the .wps file to the converter on 101convert.com, select RTF as the output format, start the conversion, and download the resulting .rtf file. Open the downloaded file in a word processor and inspect it before sending it or replacing a working copy.

For a WPS Office document, use the originating application when available:

1. Open the file in WPS Office Writer.
2. Select File → Save As.
3. Select Rich Text Format (*.rtf) as the file type.
4. Save under a new name, such as document.rtf.
5. Review any compatibility warning and keep the original .wps file.

For an old Microsoft Works document, Microsoft Works itself is usually the most reliable desktop option: open the document and use File → Save As to select an RTF option if the installed version provides one. LibreOffice Writer can import many Microsoft Works files through its Works import filter; open the file, then select File → Save As and choose Rich Text Format (.rtf).

Legacy Microsoft Word installations may open some Microsoft Works files when the discontinued Microsoft Works 6–9 File Converter is installed. Current Microsoft Word versions should not be assumed to support .wps, so Word is not a dependable primary method for this conversion.

For files that LibreOffice opens correctly, its command-line converter can process a file without showing the interface:

soffice --headless --convert-to rtf --outdir converted input.wps

Create the converted folder first. The command only works when LibreOffice recognizes the specific WPS variant.

Compatibility checks

RTF usually retains text, paragraph styling, simple tables, and basic images. Check page breaks, font substitution, line spacing, table widths, headers, footers, text boxes, image positions, comments, and embedded objects after conversion.

Fonts unavailable on the recipient’s computer can change line wrapping and pagination. Use commonly installed fonts when layout matters, and export a PDF separately when the recipient needs a fixed visual layout rather than an editable document.

If the file displays garbled text, requests an unknown password, or fails to open, identify whether it came from Microsoft Works or WPS Office and retry with that application. Keep the original file unchanged; an RTF conversion is not a lossless archival substitute for every feature in the source format.