SDW to RTF Converter
Convert SDW to RTF online for free. Fast, secure, and high-quality conversion with no sign-up or software required.
Maximum file size is 1GB
How it works
Three steps to your converted file
Everything happens in your browser tab - upload, pick a format, download. The heavy lifting runs on our servers.
Upload your file
Drag and drop, click to browse, or paste a URL. Batches take up to 20 files at once - 230+ input formats across video, audio, image, document, and archive types.
Choose an output format
Pick from over a hundred output formats. Filter by category or search by name - every option is open to everyone, no account needed.
Convert & download
Hit Convert and grab your download link moments later. Originals are erased when the job completes; results are cleared within about an hour.
What is an SDW file?
SDW is the legacy word-processing format used by StarOffice Writer and early OpenOffice.org releases, the predecessor suites to LibreOffice Writer. It stores text, formatting, and embedded objects using StarOffice's original binary document model, later replaced by the OpenDocument Text (ODT) standard. SDW files are mostly encountered today when converting old StarOffice document archives to modern formats.
How to open an SDW file
LibreOffice Writer opens SDW files directly via its built-in legacy StarOffice format support, automatically converting the document into its modern editing environment. Apache OpenOffice Writer also retains compatibility with this older format.
SDW Technical Info
- Full Name
- StarOffice/StarWriter Document
- Developed By
- StarDivision / Sun Microsystems
- Initial Release
- 1996
- MIME Type
- application/vnd.stardivision.writer
What is an RTF file?
The Rich Text Format (RTF) is a proprietary document file format with published specifications developed by Microsoft Corporation in 1987 for cross-platform document interchange. It encodes formatted text and graphics using 7-bit ASCII characters, utilizing a structure of control words, control symbols, and groups to define formatting properties such as bolding, italics, and fonts. Unlike binary formats, RTF is human-readable and was designed to facilitate interoperability between different word processing software and operating systems before the standardization of XML-based formats.
How to open an RTF file
Due to its design as an interchange format, RTF possesses native support across almost all major operating systems without requiring third-party installation. Microsoft Windows opens RTF files natively with WordPad or Microsoft Word, while macOS utilizes TextEdit. For Linux users or cross-platform consistency, LibreOffice Writer and Apache OpenOffice provide robust handling of the format's styling attributes.
RTF Technical Info
- Full Name
- Rich Text Format
- Developed By
- Microsoft Corporation
- Initial Release
- 1987
- MIME Type
- application/rtf
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Why RunConvert
The fastest way to convert any file
Purpose-built for speed, privacy, and breadth of format support.
Convert SDW to RTF in seconds
Every SDW to RTF conversion runs on our servers, so your device stays fast and the output quality stays intact.
Fast, cloud-powered
No queue, no waiting. Files are processed on high-performance servers and returned in seconds, even for large files.
Secure & private
Encrypted in transit and never shared with anyone. Uploads are erased the moment your job completes, and results shortly after.
Free - no account needed
Convert without creating an account - no credit card, no trial clock. Sign in only if you want history and higher daily limits.
Developer API
Convert SDW to RTF via API
Automate SDW to RTF conversions in three steps: create a job, upload your file, then poll for the result.
# 1. Create job
curl -X POST https://api.runconvert.com/v3/jobs \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"tag": "sdw-to-rtf",
"tasks": {
"upload-file": {
"operation": "import/upload"
},
"convert": {
"operation": "convert",
"input": "upload-file",
"output_format": "rtf"
},
"export-result": {
"operation": "export/url",
"input": "convert"
}
}
}'
# 2. Upload your file (use upload_url from the response)
curl -X PUT "$UPLOAD_URL" --upload-file input.sdw
# 3. Poll for result
curl https://api.runconvert.com/v3/jobs/$JOB_ID?include=tasks \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"Replace YOUR_API_KEY with your RunConvert API key. Get your free API key at runconvert.com/api.