Convert Files to TXT Online — Free Plain Text Converter
This free online converter transforms documents in a wide range of formats — including PDF, DOC, DOCX, RTF, HTML and more — into plain, unformatted TXT files, giving you clean, portable text that works everywhere.
What is a TXT file?
A TXT file (plain text file) stores text as a sequence of characters with no formatting, fonts, images, or layout information. It uses a simple character encoding such as UTF-8 or ASCII, making it readable by virtually every application — from basic text editors like Notepad to advanced code editors, terminal tools, and data-processing scripts. Because TXT files carry no proprietary structure, they are one of the most universally compatible file formats in existence.
Why convert to plain text?
Stripping a document down to plain text is useful in many everyday and technical situations:
- Copy-paste without baggage: extract the words from a formatted document without carrying over unwanted styles or invisible characters.
- Data processing & automation: scripts, parsers, and machine-learning pipelines typically require raw text as input.
- Cross-platform compatibility: TXT opens on any OS, device, or application without requiring special software.
- Reduced file size: removing formatting and embedded assets can dramatically shrink file size.
- Accessibility & archiving: plain text is future-proof — it will be readable decades from now, long after proprietary formats may become obsolete.
Supported input formats
The converter accepts a broad range of document types, including PDF, DOC / DOCX, ODT, RTF, HTML, PPT / PPTX, XLS / XLSX, and more. Upload your file or provide a remote URL, and the tool will extract all readable text content and deliver it as a clean .txt file ready to download.
Frequently asked questions
Is this TXT converter free to use?
Yes, the converter is completely free. No account, subscription, or payment is required to convert files to TXT.
What happens to my uploaded file after conversion?
Uploaded files are processed on the server and then deleted automatically. They are not stored, shared, or used for any other purpose.
Will the converted TXT file keep the original formatting?
No — TXT is a plain-text format and cannot store fonts, colors, tables, or images. The converter extracts the raw text content; all formatting is intentionally removed.
Can I convert a password-protected PDF to TXT?
Password-protected files cannot be processed directly. You would need to remove the PDF password first before uploading for conversion.
Can I convert a file by providing a URL instead of uploading it?
Yes. You can paste a direct link to a remote file into the URL field and the converter will fetch and convert it without requiring a manual upload.