A file extension is a character or group of characters added to the end of a filename that indicates what type of content the file contains. Extensions do not change how a computer reads files; they are only for our convenience in sorting and identifying files. You can rename any given file to make it appear as if it has another extension, but this does not change what type of data is actually stored within the file. However, not every software can read every extension.
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Video files extension
Videos on the internet typically have extensions such as .mp4, .avi, or .mov.
.mp4
This extension is used for MPEG-MPEG-video. It is quite universal and can be played on many different devices. Mp4 is used for video playback on many portable devices. Generally files in this extension are not as large when compared to other formats.
.avi
This extension is used for Audio Video Interleave files and the video file format developed by Microsoft® Corporation, which use high-compression formats to deliver videos of good quality. These files are compatible with a wide range of operating systems and applications but will not work with the iPhone.
.mov
This format is used for Apple’s Quicktime, a video file player and streaming protocol developed by the company. It uses high-compression formats to deliver videos of good quality but it is not compatible with other operating systems or applications. Mov files are best used for Mac computers.
Audio files Extension
Sound can be stored in a digital form in various file formats. The most common ones are .mp3, .wav, and .aiff.
.mp3
This format is the most common for audio recordings. It is a lossy format, meaning that when you save the file from playing back in real time, it will not play exactly like the original and there are some tradeoffs involved with how much quality is lost at any given level of compression .
.wav
The waveform sound file extension is great for storing instrument sounds or the sound of a voice. It is not as good for music because it will be more difficult to identify instruments and vocals.
.aiff
This audio file extension is used by professional musicians who need high-quality recordings that are easy to edit in post production, rather than just quick export formats like mpngs. Aiff format has the best quality for this category and is commonly used with audio engineering software like Logic Pro or Audacity.
Document files Extensions
Documents can be created in a variety of formats, including word processing documents (.doc), PDFs (.pdf) and spreadsheets. Most people will have a preference for one type but it’s worth considering what you’re going to use the document for before choosing the extension you want to save it in.
.doc
This extension is typically used for Microsoft Word documents but can also be compatible with other types of word processing software, like OpenOffice. Doc files are compatible with a variety of different document types, including text documents (.txt), web pages (.html) and plain-text files.
PDFs are often used for long multi page documents that need the same formatting across all pages in order to maintain consistency. PDFs can also be generated from scanned documentation such as architectural drawings or maps. PDF’s are one of the most common extensions in use today.
.xls
This extension is typically used for Microsoft Excel documents but can also be compatible with other types of spreadsheet software, like OpenOffice. XLS files are compatible with a variety of different spreadsheet types including text-based (.csv) and financial data in tabular format (.txt).
.ppt
PPT format is used for Microsoft PowerPoint presentations. These files can be used to share information about a process, product or service and are often associated with the business world.
.txt
This extension is typically used for text files. Text files can be of any type, such as a to-do list or personal diary entries. TXT files are commonly used to share short-form content and are often found on the Internet.
Picture/Photo files Extensions
Pictures can be stored in files like .jpg, .gif or a variety of others. The type of picture file you use will depend on the content and needs for that specific situation. Extensions for pictures vary in quality and size.
.jpg
This extension is really common for photo file types. The quality of the image will depend on how many pixels it has and what size they are. However, the larger the number of pixels, usually means a better quality picture in general. Sadly, .jpg also means that when you want to make it bigger, you will not be able to get a high-quality picture.
.gif
GIF files are commonly used for smaller images rather than full pictures since it takes up less space and can be compressed more easily. GIFs may also have animation capabilities, which is beneficial in some situations but not all of them depending on what you need the image for.
.png
PNG files are good for full pictures as well. PNG is a really popular option because it has the best balance between image quality and file size, making it better than GIFs or .jpgs for larger images. PNG’s can be made bigger without losing quality, which is an advantage.
Conclusion
Choosing an extension for your file depends on what you’re using it for. Moreover, you need to take into consideration the compatibility with various types of devices. Sometimes receivers need a particular file format, so you need to convert them. Do it with caution since it can affect the image quality, text formatting or even the size of your file.
