Data Transfer : Text Files

There are two common file formats for storing text files such as those produced by a word processor. They are :

• Text File (TXT) : A text file is the simplest type of file which can contain text. The file stores only the characters that have been typed. No information about how the text should be presented is included in the file.

• Rich Text File (RTF) : A rich text file contains text and some limited information about the text layout. Layout information such as font size and style can be stored. More complicated layout features such as page margins and tables can not be used.

The individual characters in a text or RTF file will be stored using a standard code such as ASCII. If possible the rich text file format should be used to transfer text as it will preserve most of the formatting of the text that has been done.

GCSE ICT Companion 04 - (C) P Meakin 2004