Converting txt files to rtf

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Level 1

5 points

Converting txt files to rtf

We have recently moved our files from a PC to Mac. A large number of these (hundreds) are in txt format. We want to use them in Mac Word. Word will not open the txt files but will open RTF files. The solution would seem to be to use Save As to convert them to rtf. However, when we open a txt file and go to Save As, the usual File Format box does not appear. A File Encoding box is shown in its stead. The only way we have found is to open the txt file, copy it, paste into a word document. Is there another way?

iMac Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Jul 5, 2007 12:24 PM

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Answer 1

red_menace

Level 6

17,066 points

Jul 5, 2007 6:19 PM in response to Gay Hertzman

If you are talking about TextEdit, use the menu item Format > Make Rich Text. You can then save it as .rtf.

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Answer 2

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Jul 5, 2007 3:33 PM in response to Gay Hertzman

If the files won't open in Word (which version?), what are you using to open them? One thing to try is to change the suffix from .txt to .rtf. If that works, then use the Replace Text in Item Names Finder script that ships with the OS, either from the scripts menu icon or in /Library/Scripts/Finder Scripts/. Put all the .txt files into one folder and run the script.

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Answer 3

Gay Hertzman Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 5, 2007 5:38 PM in response to baltwo

baltwo: thanks for the note.
We are using Word 2004 for Mac version 11.3.5.
Tried changing the suffix from txt to rtf as you suggest. Word still cannot open them. That is, Word/file/open; the file in question, now rtf is gray rather than black and cannot be opened from Word.
Any other suggestions?

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Answer 4

Gay Hertzman Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 6, 2007 9:24 AM in response to baltwo

I fear I misled the discussion. Actually, it appears that Word will not open either txt or rtf files. The question should have been how to open txt/rtf files in Mac Word. Word for Windows open both formats.

Following the lead of one of the answers above, I changed the txt or the rtf extension to doc. A choice then appears "Are you sure" Choose .doc or .rtf/.txt. Word/File/Open then recognizes the file and opens it.

If that is the only solution, is there a script for global changes of extension that would also answer the "are you sure" question? Or will each of the hunreds of text files have to dealt with individually?

Re the Save As question, seems to be no longer part of the equation, but for what it is worth it was TextEdit 1.4.

iMac Mac OS X (10.4.10)

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Answer 5

Gay Hertzman Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 6, 2007 1:45 PM in response to baltwo

Thank you
I have just run the script on several folders. It works perfectly. I don't understand why when I changed one folder at a time I had to verify the "Are your sure?" question on each one, and don't have to with the script.

At any rate, the problem is solved--thanks very much

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Answer 6

Aug 7, 2007 6:34 PM in response to Gay Hertzman

Forgive me for sounding like an ignoramus. I am old but new to forums and have just one question but can't figure out where to post it or find the answer.

My question:

Thousands of my photos are on my cpu. Is there some way to move these files without having to copy all the photos onto disks first? (Don't be silly, of course they are not backed up.)

Thanks
Anitta

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Answer 7

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Jul 6, 2007 12:54 PM in response to Gay Hertzman

Thanks for clarifying. See my original answer for a script that'll do it. Just put all of those files into a folder on your Desktop, run the script, changing .txt to .doc.

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Answer 8

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Jul 5, 2007 5:56 PM in response to Gay Hertzman

You mentioned that you opened them earlier, but couldn't do a Save As. With what? Still not enough info.

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Answer 9

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Jul 6, 2007 2:01 PM in response to Gay Hertzman

Thanks for the feedback and rewards. Good computing.

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