How to convert rtfd to doc(x)?

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Level 1

4 points

How to convert rtfd to doc(x)?

I am in need of converting rtfd files to doc(x) files or similar without loosing any data and getting WYSIWYG outcome.

I have worked with Scrivener for my research project. When "compiling" to get WYSIWYG I was to opt for rtfd files, only option. Afterwards I’ve converted successfully rtfd to pdfs via TextEdit, so far so good.

Then I realized that doc(x) files or similar would be even more handy. TextEdit won’t help because it doesn’t have "save as" option, it only recognize option for "export(ing) as PDF".

It seems that rtfd file can’t be opened, displayed nor edited in Pages or Word — so can’t use those. Both are at their latest version.

Basically I would like to import my rtfd files to CAQDAS(/ Computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software), but CAQDAS won’t support such file format. The obvious would be to import pdfs, but it’s getting ridiculously sluggish when working with the pdf file within of CAQDAS. Trust me, I've tried.

For CAQDAS rtfd files need to converted (e.g. TXT, RTF, DOC/X, PDF, JPG, GIF, TIF and PNG format). Preferably to doc(x), but what’s the trick?

I have read that Terminal with MacOS would do the job, but I am unfamiliar with that. How does its operate? Do I lose data? Do I get WYSIWYG outcome?

Anyway I need step-by-step advises.

MacBook Pro with Retina display, macOS Sierra (10.12.1), Scrivener 2.8

Posted on Nov 17, 2016 12:52 PM

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Answer 1

Csound1

Level 9

60,027 points

Nov 18, 2016 4:41 AM in response to KerkkoK

RTF files can be opened and used in Pages and Word, as well as a host of other word processing apps, Peter has clarified Save As in TextEdit. So much of your post is inaccurate it os hard knowing where to begin, so it would be best if you canned your assumptions and asked a question.

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Answer 2

Nov 17, 2016 2:17 PM in response to KerkkoK

1. TextEdit does have Save As, just hold down the option key when you go to the File Menu.

2. What does "WYSIWYG outcome" mean? The Mac always shows WYSIWYG.

Do you mean formatted text? Because both rtfd and doc/x are formatted.

Peter

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Answer 3

KerkkoK Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 17, 2016 2:46 PM in response to PeterBreis0807

Thanks PeterBreis0807.

That was it: option key. Should have known.

By WYSIWYG outcome I mean compiling merely in Scrivener and possibly in TextEdit.

Anyway at least I have had hard time of getting WYSIWYG with Sierra 10.12.1.

There’s a unsolved thread about this readability/drawing issue: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7728744

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Answer 4

Nov 17, 2016 4:20 PM in response to KerkkoK

You are using the wrong terms for things which is confusing.

WYSIWIG is What You See Is What You Get. That means what you see on screen (mostly) matches what you print out, which applies to all formatted text.

Compiling is a programming term for converting programming code into a form that will run on a particular set of hardware and has nothing to do with text formatting.

I am pretty sure you just mean Text Format

Peter

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Answer 5

Nov 17, 2016 4:26 PM in response to PeterBreis0807

I believe the OP was intending the first Apple Dictionary usage of compile, and not the second entry. 😉

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Answer 6

KerkkoK Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 17, 2016 10:45 PM in response to PeterBreis0807

Thanks for pointing out the difference PeterBreis0807. As novice terminology is my weak point.

Original question How to convert rtfd to doc(x)? have been solved in TextEdit by Peter.

Still TextEdit offered only a very limited and unsatisfactory results when it comes to the other half of the question ”without loosing any data and getting WYSIWYG outcome.”

What I was having with my rtfd file on the screen in TextEdit lost altogether in it’s way the to doc(x) s. Doc(x) file is actual quite a mess. It doesn't get the job done. I’ve figured that TextEdit isn’t the answer to this one. Is there any other way around this one?

Should I just start another thread considering Text Format?

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Answer 7

KerkkoK Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 17, 2016 10:46 PM in response to VikingOSX

What’s OP, VikingOSX?

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Answer 8

Nov 17, 2016 11:10 PM in response to KerkkoK

Original Poster. You.

rtfd is quite a sophisticated Apple format, including graphics, media, links and formatted text.

doc/x is a Microsoft format so may translate differently.

You have to be more precise about exactly what is changing or you want to keep. We don't know. "Quite a mess" or "doesn't get the job done" doesn't specify anything.

Perhaps a screen snap of before and after and a description of what it is you want, and why. Possibly you are going about this the wrong way with the wrong tools.

Peter

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Answer 9

KerkkoK Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 18, 2016 4:37 AM in response to PeterBreis0807

You are right PeterBreis0807. It’s getting harder with inappropriate tools.

My work is quite graphic and it’s definitely easier illustrate with screen captures what I am dealing with.

Screenshot in TextEdit or before ”saving as” rtfd file.

Screenshot in Word after opening docx file.

The spot of the file is exactly the same, but all is changed. All the tables and cells have vanished, text highlighting is gone, layouts differs, etc. Unfortunately I can’t post larger shot of the transcripts at public thread because of issues of confidentially. But I guess that you able to see what ”that mess” is.

Thinking retrospectively I’ve utilized to excess — even not realizing it at that point — advantageous features of RTFDs. Then again I’m shooting my own foot with this incompatibility issue: RTFDs only work with a handful of softwares. It's somewhat peculiar that RTFDs are not supported by Pages.

Actually that is what I have in my mind — when claiming that: "I don’t get what I am seeing”. But it's all about text formatting and compatibility issues. I admit — I don’t really care about printouts at this stage.

There might not be a workaround and I just have to deal with it.

Thanks Peter for putting your mind into this.

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Answer 10

Nov 18, 2016 6:58 AM in response to Csound1

Pages 5 and 6 do not open or save rtf/d files.

Pages '09 does.

Peter

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Answer 11

KerkkoK Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 23, 2016 3:39 AM in response to PeterBreis0807

Only to get hands on ´09 version.

I am currently working with Pages at version 6.0.5 (4052). Not actively using it because limited features.

There wasn't Pages ´09 nor iWorks ´09 (dvd nor installed) when purchasing my MacBook Pro with Retina back in late 2013.

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Answer 12

Nov 23, 2016 4:15 AM in response to KerkkoK

Apple discontinued the individual iWork '09 applications for purchase from the Mac App Store, and the iWork '09 DVD sales prior to October 2013. The iWork '09 DVD is available from Amazon, or Ebay resellers. Once installed, the Apple iWork 9.3 updater should be applied to bring the '09 applications to their latest (12/2012) updates.

I am using Pages '09 v4.3 on macOS Sierra 10.12.1. It will open RTFD as you expect, but Word export is restricted to .doc files. The exported Word .doc reflects what you see in the original RTFD.

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