Get plain text from an RTF text

Question

Hello

I have on my database a column that holds text in RTF format.

How can I get only the plain text of it, using C#?

Thanks :D

Answer 1

Microsoft provides an example where they basically stick the rtf text in a RichTextBox and then read the .Text property... it feels somewhat kludgy, but it works.

static public string ConvertToText(string rtf)
{
   RichTextBox rtb = new RichTextBox();
   rtb.Rtf = rtf;
   return rtb.Text;
}

Answer 2

If you want a pure code version, you can parse the rtf yourself and keep only the text bits. It's a bit of work, but not very difficult work - RTF files have a very simple syntax. Read about it in the RTF spec.

Answer 3

Here's another question that discusses the regex way.