richtext

Rich text is text that includes formatting information beyond plain characters. It encompasses font family, size and weight, color, and styles such as bold or italic, as well as layout features like hyperlinks, alignment, lists, and tables. Rich text contrasts with plain text, which carries only character codes and no formatting, and with binary formats that render content as fixed images.

Common implementations include Rich Text Format (RTF), developed by Microsoft for cross-platform document exchange; HTML combined with CSS for web content; and modern office formats such as Microsoft Word's DOCX and OpenDocument Text (ODT). These formats store both the textual content and the formatting instructions that render in compatible software.

In practice, rich text is produced by word processors, note applications, and WYSIWYG editors. It enables users to apply styling without coding and to embed elements such as hyperlinks and images. Programs may store rich text in different containers: markup-based formats (RTF, HTML/CSS, DOCX/ODT) or proprietary binary formats.

Interoperability considerations include variation in how programs render formatting, potential loss of appearance when moving content between apps, and issues with embedded fonts or complex layout. While HTML and RTF aim for broad compatibility, exact rendering can still differ across platforms and versions.