PyRTF3

What it is and what it does

PyRTF3 is a Python library for generating Rich Text Format documents programmatically. It provides classes to build RTF files with styled text, multiple sections, headers/footers, tables, and embedded PNG and JPG images. The library was designed to be reliable and fast with PyParsing as its only runtime dependency.

The package is in Beta status and has been abandoned since 2017-05-19, with no active maintenance or updates. It remains functional for basic RTF generation tasks but should be considered legacy software; users requiring modern document generation may want to evaluate actively maintained alternatives.

Use it for:

• Generate styled reports or documentation in RTF format from Python data or templates.
• Create multi-section documents with custom headers, footers, and page layouts programmatically.
• Build tables with formatted content and embed images into RTF files for distribution.
• Automate RTF document creation for systems that require Word-compatible output.

Worth the install?

AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying

PyRTF3 generates Rich Text Format (RTF) documents programmatically from Python, supporting styled text, multi-section layouts, tables, and embedded PNG/JPG images.

No, unless you have a specific legacy requirement to generate RTF files and cannot use a maintained alternative. The package is abandoned (last release 2017-05-19), offers no security or compatibility updates, and is licensed under copyleft GPL—which blocks use in proprietary projects. The low install friction and lack of known vulnerabilities do not offset the maintenance and licensing risks.

Install

pyrtf3 on PyPI

pip install pyrtf3

uv add pyrtf3

poetry add pyrtf3

Installing PyRTF3

Before you install

Installation is straightforward with only PyParsing as a runtime dependency. However, the package is abandoned—last release was in May 2017—so expect no maintenance, bug fixes, or compatibility updates.

License in practice

Licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL), a copyleft license. Any software that links or distributes PyRTF3 must also be released under compatible open-source terms; proprietary or closed-source projects cannot use it without legal risk.

Quickstart

pip install PyRTF3

from PyRTF3.Document import Document
from PyRTF3.Elements import Paragraph

doc = Document()
section = doc.AddSection()
section.AddParagraph('Hello, RTF world!')
doc.write(open('output.rtf', 'wb'))

Verify before relying

• Compatibility with modern Python versions and current RTF readers; last tested on older Word versions.
• Whether PyParsing dependency is actively used at runtime or is a legacy artifact.
• Actual usability of the package given its abandoned status since 2017-05-19.

Package facts

Evidence: PyRTF3-0.47.5-py3-none-any.whl

Keywords: RTF, Rich Text, Rich Text Format, documentation, reports

Tags

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