Flat / RTF hosting
RTF hosting: upload rich-text documents and share a link
Share your formatted text through a link. Upload an RTF from your browser or the CLI for a PDF reading preview, with the original file available to download.
Checking your upload limits... · Public · Limits
Drop your RTF files here
or choose them from your device.
Select RTF filesWhat readers see at your RTF link
Flat converts Rich Text Format documents to PDF, then displays them with page navigation and zoom controls. The screenshot shows the sample proposal converted from its actual RTF file.
Readers see formatted document pages rather than RTF control words. The original RTF remains available for a compatible word processor. How tables, images, and fonts appear depends on the source document and its conversion.
A single file opens in the viewer. Several files open in the explorer, where readers can choose a file. Public links need no Flat account. Original downloads remain available if a preview cannot load.
The main link opens Flat's viewer. The exact path /proposal.rtf serves the original file, without changing its contents.
How to upload RTF files and get a link
Prepare your file
Export a real RTF from your word processor and reopen it to check the result. RTF can retain text formatting, but an export may lose features from a richer document format. Renaming a TXT or DOCX file does not convert it to RTF.
Check paragraph spacing, fonts, tables, and any images before uploading. For an exact reading layout, export a PDF in your own editor. For plain unformatted notes, use TXT hosting.
Publish from your browser or terminal
In your browserGo to uploaderDrop, publish, copy the link.
Drop your finished files into the uploader above, or select them from your device. Enter your email if signed out, then choose "Publish files".
Selected files need unique names and publish at the top level. Use the CLI for folders; the browser uploader does not accept folders or extract ZIPs.
TerminalNode.js 20+One command. Files or folders.
npx -y @getflat/cli deploy ./proposal.rtfReplace the example path with your file. Pass a folder to publish related files with their relative paths intact. The CLI prints the published URL.
Check before sharing
Review the PDF pages against the RTF opened in your editor. Confirm the original download works in the receiving application before using the link for a document handoff.
Signed-out uploads expire after 1 hour by default. Sign in before expiry to keep them online, or sign in before publishing for no default expiry.
What you can share with RTF hosting
Rich-text exports
Share a formatted document produced by an existing editor or reporting tool, with a reading preview that recipients can open in their browser.
Editable text handoffs
Give a recipient the RTF source for a compatible word processor while keeping a browser preview for readers who only need the document.
Keep a version, or keep an address.
Share this version
Every upload gets its own link. Publishing revised files creates a new link and leaves the earlier version unchanged. Use the version link when someone needs to review a specific upload.
Update files at one address
Use a named onflat.page address or your own domain. Sign in, then publish with the CLI using --domain. Publish revised files with the same domain to point that address to the new upload.
Named addresses are included on Free. Adding your own domain requires a paid plan. The browser uploader does not set up or repoint these addresses.
RTF hosting questions
Is hosting free, and what are the limits?
Yes. Signed-in Free includes 5 MiB per upload, 1 GiB of storage, and 5 GiB of monthly transfer, with no default expiry. The per-upload limit covers all files in that upload. Paid plans raise these limits.
Do readers need a Flat account?
No. Public links open without a Flat account. Anyone with the link can open the uploaded files. Password-protected links also require the visitor password.
Can I password-protect my upload?
Yes. Password protection is available on every plan. Add --password YOUR_PASSWORD to your CLI deploy command. It protects access to the upload and its files, but does not prevent someone with access from saving a copy. The browser uploader creates public uploads.
Can I replace files without changing the link?
A version link always refers to its original upload. For same-address updates, use a named address or your own domain. Publish revised files with the same --domain value in the CLI to point that address to the new upload.
What happens when an upload expires?
Flat stops serving it. An expired upload cannot be recovered. Signed-out uploads expire after 1 hour by default. For browser uploads, use the sign-in link shown after publishing. For CLI uploads, run npx -y @getflat/cli login. Complete sign-in before expiry to keep the upload online. If you chose a shorter expiry in the CLI, that deadline stays in place.
What is the difference between RTF and TXT hosting?
RTF stores document formatting and opens as a generated PDF preview. TXT stores plain text and opens in the text viewer. Use the format your editor exports; changing the extension alone does not change the contents.
Does Flat turn RTF into DOCX?
No. It generates a PDF preview and preserves the original RTF. Create a DOCX copy in your word processor if a recipient needs that format.
What if the RTF preview looks different or cannot load?
The original remains available to download. Check the RTF in a compatible editor and export your own PDF for a controlled reading copy. Conversion does not run macros or fetch remote assets.
How large can an upload be?
Upload allowances depend on your plan and cover all files in the upload. Compare current plan limits. Preview availability also depends on format and processing support. The original file remains available to download if a preview is unavailable.
Can I embed the viewer on another website?
Flat's generated viewer cannot be embedded in an iframe and keeps Flat branding on every plan. Link to the viewer for reading or to the exact file URL for the original.
Another document format?
Find the guide for your document file.
Give your RTF files a link.
Publish your file, check the preview, and share the URL.
Publish filesFree to start · View pricing