Free online XPS to RTF converter

Older word processors and document-management systems may accept RTF but cannot edit XPS directly. Converting the file creates editable text for revision, reuse, or sharing, while the original should be retained when exact page appearance matters.

What XPS is

XPS (XML Paper Specification) is a Microsoft fixed-layout document format. It stores page dimensions, fonts, graphics, and object positions so a document renders consistently across systems, similar to PDF.

Windows applications can create XPS files through Print → Microsoft XPS Document Writer, and exported reports, archived print jobs, and older Windows attachments may also use the format. XPS Viewer, available as an optional Windows component on some versions, displays XPS files but does not provide normal word-processing editing.

What RTF is

RTF (Rich Text Format) is an editable text format developed by Microsoft for document interchange. It supports common formatting such as fonts, bold and italic styles, colors, paragraphs, tables, and simple images.

Microsoft Word, LibreOffice Writer, WordPad on supported Windows versions, and many older document systems can open RTF. RTF is more suitable than XPS for changing text, but it is less suitable than XPS or PDF when exact pagination, print positioning, signatures, or archival fidelity must be preserved.

How to convert XPS to RTF

The built-in converter on 101convert.com can process the file without installing desktop software:

1. Open the XPS-to-RTF converter on 101convert.com.
2. Upload the file with the .xps extension.
3. Select RTF as the output format and start the conversion.
4. Download the resulting .rtf file and open it in Word, LibreOffice Writer, or another RTF-compatible editor.

For confidential documents, use an offline workflow unless uploading the file complies with your security and privacy requirements.

Desktop conversion with a PDF intermediate

Windows does not normally provide a direct XPS-to-RTF command. A practical local method uses PDF and an editable-document export:

1. Open the XPS file in XPS Viewer or another XPS reader.
2. Choose Print → Microsoft Print to PDF and save a PDF copy. If the printer is unavailable, install or enable the relevant Windows feature.
3. Open the PDF in a desktop PDF editor that can export to Word format, such as Adobe Acrobat, and choose its Word export command. The exact menu name varies by version.
4. Open the exported .docx file in Word or LibreOffice Writer.
5. Choose File → Save As and select RTF as the output format.

Run OCR during the PDF-to-editable-document step when the XPS contains scanned pages. Without OCR, a scanned page remains an image and may produce an RTF file with no selectable text.

Quality and compatibility limits

XPS is page-oriented, while RTF is primarily content-oriented. Conversion can alter line wrapping, page breaks, fonts, spacing, headers, footers, columns, table borders, and positioned graphics. Missing fonts may be substituted, changing pagination.

Text-based XPS usually converts more accurately than scanned XPS. RTF may not preserve XPS annotations, transparency effects, embedded print metadata, exact vector positioning, or digital signatures; a signature does not remain valid after conversion. Tables, forms, multi-column layouts, and text placed at precise coordinates require manual checking.

Compare representative pages with the XPS after conversion and verify names, numbers, tables, and page breaks before distributing or replacing the source. Keep the original .xps file for faithful viewing, printing, or records, and use the .rtf copy for editing.