RTA Converter

Extract text from RTA files

Select File
Drop or upload your .RTA file

Online File Converter

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How to extract text from your RTA file

Click the "Select File" button above, and choose your RTA file.
You’ll see a preview, if available.
Click the "Convert file to..." button to extract text information.

Convert RTA to another file type

To convert your RTA file to another format, you need Bean or other Text software.

Convert a file to RTA

To convert other file formats to the "Archived Document" file type, you need software like Bean or a similar tool.

About RTA files

The .rta file extension represents a convergence of two distinct, specialized workflows: legacy document archiving and maritime navigation.

1. Archived Rich Text Document (Primary)

Most commonly (approx. 35%), an .rta file is an Archived Rich Text Document generated by the Bean word processor, a lightweight text editor for macOS. Unlike standard RTF files, this format often acts as a compressed wrapper or specific archive state for rich text containing images and formatting.

The Problem:
These files are often "orphaned" on modern systems. Microsoft Word and Google Docs generally cannot open them directly, leaving your data locked inside an obscure, Mac-centric format. If you move the file to Windows or try to open it on a mobile device, you will likely encounter an "Unknown File Type" error.

The Solution:

For Editing: Convert the .rta file to DOCX (Word) or standard RTF. This restores editability and compatibility with major office suites.
For Viewing/Archiving: Convert to PDF. This ensures the formatting, fonts, and layout remain consistent across all devices, from iPads to Windows PCs.

2. JRC ECDIS Route File (Secondary)

In maritime contexts, an .rta file is a proprietary Voyage Route created by JRC (Japan Radio Co.) ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information System) units. These files contain critical waypoints and route data for ship navigation.

The Problem:
JRC data is designed for specific hardware. You cannot simply view these routes on standard mapping tools like Google Earth or OpenCPN without conversion, making voyage planning and sharing difficult outside the bridge.

The Solution:

For Visualization: Convert navigation .rta files to GPX or KML. This allows you to overlay the ship's route on satellite maps or generic GPS software.
For Analysis: Convert to CSV to view waypoint coordinates in a spreadsheet.

Convert.Guru analyzes your RTA file, detects the exact format, and lets you read the text inside.

Users also converted RTM, CY, NID and EBT files.

FAQ

If you want to convert RTA file to MP3, WAV, AAC, FLAC, OGG, WMA, M4A, AIFF, OPUS, ALAC, APE or WV, you can use Bean or similar software from the "Rich Text Document Storage" category. In the File menu, look for Save As… or Export….

To convert MIDI, AAC, TTA, AU, WV, DTS, MID, FLAC, RA, MP3, PCM or WAV files to RTA, try Bean or another comparable tool in the "Rich Text Document Storage" category.

The RTA Converter Story

The history of Convert.Guru began over 25 years ago in California with Tom Simondi’s file-format database. A former contributor to Space Shuttle development and a software pioneer of the 1980s, Simondi established a trusted resource for file type analysis that was even referenced by Microsoft Windows XP. Today, we use modern technology to process and convert thousands of file formats while continually improving our RTA converter.