Rich Text Format (RTF) is a file format used for text documents that allows for the inclusion of various text styles, fonts, colors, and formatting options. It was developed by Microsoft in the 1980s to enable the sharing of documents across different word processing applications while preserving their formatting. RTF files are plain text files that contain special codes to indicate formatting, making them compatible with many software programs. This versatility allows users to create documents that can be easily opened and edited in different environments, ensuring that the appearance of the text remains consistent.