LibraryDeveloper PortalRTF

Altova provides comprehensive support for working with RTF files with XML and databases. RTF (Rich Text Format) is a text file format that preserves document formatting and is supported by most word processing applications, including Microsoft Word versions 2003 and earlier.

Since the RTF format is supported by a wide range of business applications, it’s often the preferred medium for presenting information to partners and customers. However, document formats like RTF generally do not interoperate readily with XML and relational database systems, which are the predominant data exchange and storage methods in organizations today and often contain the very information that is being communicated within the documents. Converting database or XML data to RTF can be a slow, manual process. Altova provides powerful support for working with XML and relational databases in harmony with RTF files to eliminate these extra steps.

Business communications often require that data stored in XML and database applications be presented in an attractive format that is convenient for non-technical audiences. Since XML and databases do not provide inherent support for data presentation, other formats such as RTF can be used to display the data. Altova created StyleVision® 2008 to take the pain out of translating XML and databases into RTF and other presentation formats.

StyleVision is a visual tool for designing stylesheets to transform XML or database data into RTF documents and other output styles. StyleVision also allows you to present XML and database data in HTML, PDF, Word 2007 (OOXML), and Authentic e-Form formats - all from one design that you create using a graphical interface. Because StyleVision produces stylesheets and HTML, RTF, PDF, Word 2007, and Authentic electronic forms simultaneously, you no longer need to spend countless hours hand-coding and testing intricate stylesheets to transform the same content into multiple media types.

A common requirement for XML developers is getting content stored in RTF documents into an XML format. Whether you’re converting legacy RTF content or new content, Altova XMLSpy® 2008 makes this formerly time-consuming, manual process a snap. With just a few clicks, you can convert a RTF document to an XML instance document with a corresponding XSLT stylesheet.

As detailed above, Altova XMLSpy® 2008, StyleVision® 2008, and MapForce® 2008 provide powerful support for working with RTF documents alongside XML, databases, and other popular data formats. You can purchase these tools individually or get all three of them all as part of the Altova® MissionKit™ 2008. Get up to 8 software tools for the price of 2 with the Altova® MissionKit™ 2008! The MissionKit bundles Altova's intelligent application development and data management tools to meet the needs of software architects and XML developers. Try the Altova® MissionKit™ 2008 for free – download a 30-day trial today!

Learn more about single source publishing

For more information about working with XML and databases in concert with RTF as well as other popular formats like HTML and PDF, check out the "Getting More from Your Content with Single Source Publishing " whitepaper (PDF 838 kB).