What is RTF?

RTF (Rich Text Format) is a cross-platform document format that supports basic formatting like bold, italic, and font sizes while remaining readable by most word processors.

What is HWP?

Hancom Word (HWP) is the standard word processing format in South Korea, used extensively in government and education.

When Should You Use RTF vs HWP?

RTF vs HWP: Key Differences

• •RTF uses lossy compression while HWP uses lossy compression — both take the same approach to file size management.
• •Since both RTF and HWP use lossy compression, the quality characteristics are comparable — differences in file size come down to how efficiently each format implements compression.
• •How transparency is handled: HWP does not support alpha channels — transparent areas in the source will become opaque.
• •File sizes: RTF files typically range 20KB to 2MB and HWP files 100KB to 20MB.
• •Use case fit: RTF targets cross-platform documents, exchange and HWP targets korean documents, hancom office — your choice depends on which workflow stage you are serving.

Advantages of RTF

• ✓RTF uses lossy compression tailored for Cross-platform documents, exchange.
• ✓RTF is supported natively on virtually every device, browser, and operating system.
• ✓RTF files are compact and quick to transfer, even over slow connections.
• ✓RTF integrates seamlessly with all major creative tools and workflows.

Advantages of HWP

• ✓HWP compresses data using lossy methods, keeping file sizes manageable for Korean documents, Hancom Office.
• ✓Industry-wide support means HWP files open anywhere — from legacy systems to the latest devices.
• ✓Small file sizes make HWP ideal for email, web uploads, and cloud storage.
• ✓From professional software to open-source alternatives, HWP works out of the box.

Common Use Cases for RTF to HWP Conversion

• Compliance documentation
• Meeting minutes and notes
• Project proposals
• Invoice and billing documents
• Onboarding materials
• Policy and procedure manuals

Industry Applications

Best Practices for RTF to HWP Conversion

• →Before converting RTF to HWP, review the document structure — multi-column layouts, text boxes, and floating images behave differently across formats
• →Export a PDF preview alongside the HWP file so you have a reference of how the document should look
• →Check that hyperlinks and cross-references survived the RTF to HWP conversion — some formats handle links differently
• →Run a spell check before conversion to avoid propagating errors into the final document
• →Keep the original editable file in case the conversion introduces layout shifts
• →Test the output on at least two different applications or devices

Troubleshooting RTF to HWP Conversion

• !RTF to HWP formatting looks off → complex layouts with tables and columns may shift between formats
• !Fonts render differently in HWP → embed fonts or use standard web-safe fonts before converting
• !Images missing from the HWP output → ensure images are embedded in RTF, not linked externally
• !Tracked changes disappeared after converting RTF to HWP → some document formats don't support revision tracking

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