Common Software File Types
File Types
When you're using a computer, email or social media to communicate with others in your professional career, it's important to understand the different file types and formats that you can use. This can help you save time and effort when sending files to clients, colleagues or managers.
DOC/DOCX, TXT and ZIP are common file types that can be used to store documents with text, images, tables and graphics. These file types can be opened and edited by most programs on Windows devices.
ZIP is a popular archive file format that allows you to compress large files into smaller, more manageable packages for faster transmission and storage. This is a useful tool when you need to share and archive a collection of files with friends or family.
RAR is another popular archive file format that allows you to create spanned and multi-volume archives. These formats can be a great way to organize large amounts of data, including raw images and videos.
AI, SVG and CGM are vector image file extensions that include paths connected by points. These file types are often used in graphic design software, like Adobe Illustrator, because the graphics can retain their details when enlarged.
PPT and PPTX are well-known slides created with PowerPoint and can contain text, tables, images, graphs, animations and audio files. These files can be opened and edited with other programs, but the structure may be slightly different from the original.
MP3 is a popular audio file format that stores music, speeches and other audio content in a compressed audio format. This is a great way to store and listen to audio on computers and mobile devices.