What is an RST file?
The .RST file extension primarily stands for reStructuredText File. This is a plain text markup language created by David Goodger. Software developers and technical writers use this format to build software documentation. Programs like the Sphinx documentation generator compile these simple text files into rich web pages or PDF manuals.
Multiple Formats
Because the .RST extension has multiple possible meanings, your file might contain completely different data. Other software programs also use .RST files. It can be a Structural analysis results file for ANSYS Mechanical, a Chromatography raw data file from PerkinElmer or Agilent ChemStation, an IDRISI Raster Image by Clark Labs, a Report Snapshot Template by PerpetuumSoft, or a backup file from NovaBACKUP.
How to open RST files?
Because of these different types, we recommend using a tool to identify the actual format of the file. viewer.online/rst analyzes .RST files to identify their exact format and creator software, shows which programs can open the file, and usually previews it. If it is a standard text document, any basic text editor like Notepad++ or Visual Studio Code can display the content.
File Conversion
If you want to share a reStructuredText File with people who do not have a text editor, you should convert it. We recommend file conversion to sensible target formats on convert.guru. You can easily convert .RST files to .HTML, .PDF, or .MD (Markdown) to make them universally accessible.
Summary
viewer.online/rst directly opens and previews .RST files in the browser, eliminating the need to install software or troubleshoot compatibility issues.