Need to share that Word document with a WordPerfect user? Never fear: Rich Text Format is here.

While it is possible to open a Word document in WordPerfect or vice versa, most people don’t know how to do it — and just try explaining it over the phone or by e-mail!

Rich Text Format, or “RTF” files can be opened on any computing platform and by virtually any word processing application: Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, OpenOffice, AbiWord, and just about any other software you’ll ever encounter. When received as e-mail attachments, they automatically appear with the icon of whatever word processor the user has installed on his computer. Even better, they open with the usual double-click.

Converting a Word or WordPerfect file to RTF couldn’t be simpler. These directions are for Word, because that’s what I have, but, last time I used WordPerfect, it operated similarly.

• Select File from the menu bar, and then Save As (or Alt-F, A for)
• At the center bottom of the “Save As” dialogue box, click the dropdown arrow for the list of available file types.
• Scroll down and select Rich Text Format and click Save. (No need to change the document name.)

Your RTF file can now be shared with anyone who has a computer. Not surprisingly, the more complex the formatting of the document, the less useful it will be when opened in a non-native application. Large tables with varied cell sizes might not display properly, for instance. Automatic numbering might be translated as static numbers. But for the vast majority of legal documents, RTF is a sufficient means for sharing. It sure beats sending your recipient a document they might or might not know how to open.

RTF files are an especially good option if you have cases in the U.S. federal courts and need to comply with an order or rule requiring submission of an editable document to the judge’s chambers. (Many federal judges ask for proposed orders that way.) The U.S. courts have remained loyal to WordPerfect while most of the lawyers practicing before them have switched to Word. I’m sure the judges’ assistants appreciate the fact that I give them files they’re able to open and edit without confusion or extra work. And a federal judge’s assistant is someone I very much want to curry favor with!