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Types of Computer Files

Adobe Acrobat Files (pdf)
Adobe Acrobat Files (pdf)

Portable Document Format (PDF) is a file format used to present and exchange documents reliably, independent of software, hardware, or operating system. Invented by Adobe, PDF is now an open standard maintained by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

Adobe Postcript Files (ps)
Adobe Postcript Files (ps)

At the time, the technology for including these hints in fonts was carefully guarded, and the hinted fonts were compressed and encrypted into what Adobe called a Type 1 Font (also known as PostScript Type 1 Font, PS1, T1 or Adobe Type 1).

image: brandeps.com
AI – Adobe Illustrator Document
AI – Adobe Illustrator Document

AI -- Adobe Illustrator -- is the default file type for Illustrator which saves completely editable and scalable vector graphic images. Certain AI files are viewable with PDF readers; however, they will not allow you to edit the file's layers or individual elements.

source: techwalla.com
doc and Docx - Microsoft Word File
doc and Docx - Microsoft Word File

In fact, the move to .docx, .pptx, and .xlsx are part of a move to a more open standard of file formatting for Microsoft, allowing developers to more easily create applications that can access data within Word documents (for transfer to a webpage, for instance), and also to make it easier for other word processing software to open Word documents.

source: inc.com
EPS – Encapsulated Postscript
EPS – Encapsulated Postscript

Encapsulated Postscript Vector graphics (Adobe Illustrator) EPS is a file extension for a graphics file format used in vector-based images in Adobe Illustrator. EPS stands for Encapsulated PostScript. An EPS file can contain text as well as graphics.

Executable Programs (exe)
Executable Programs (exe)

Any time you start a program on your computer, the first thing it does is call on a specific file which starts the whole thing working. That is typically an “EXE” file, or executable file. It will look something like “mspaint.exe” or “chrome.exe“.

GIF – Graphics Interchange Format
GIF – Graphics Interchange Format

Stands for "Graphics Interchange Format." GIF is an image file format commonly used for images on the web and sprites in software programs. Unlike the JPEG image format, GIFs uses lossless compression that does not degrade the quality of the image. However, GIFs store image data using indexed color, meaning a standard GIF image can include a maximum of 256 colors.

source: techterms.com
JPEG (or JPG)
JPEG (or JPG)

JPG files are commonly referred to as JPEG images. JPEG is the acronym for Joint Photographic Experts Group. Many bitmap images are saved in .jpg format in order to compress the files.

source: file.org
Multimedia Files (mp3 and Others)
Multimedia Files (mp3 and Others)

MP3 files can be played with lots of different computer software, including Microsoft Windows Music, Windows Media Player, VLC, iTunes, Winamp, and most other music players. Apple devices like the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch can play MP3 files without a special app, like from right within the web browser or Mail app.

source: lifewire.com
odt - OpenOffice Writer Document File
odt - OpenOffice Writer Document File

ODT file are built with OpenOffice Writer, so that same program is the best way to open one. However, LibreOffice Writer, AbiSource AbiWord (get a Windows version here), Doxillion, and several other free document editors can open ODT files too.

source: lifewire.com
pdf - PDF File
pdf - PDF File

What is a PDF file? Adobe PDF files—short for portable document format files— are one of the most commonly used file types today. If you've ever downloaded a printable form or document from the Web, such as an IRS tax form, there's a good chance it was a PDF file.

image: verypdf.com
PDF – Portable Document Format
PDF – Portable Document Format

Portable Document Format (PDF) is a file format used to present and exchange documents reliably, independent of software, hardware, or operating system. Invented by Adobe, PDF is now an open standard maintained by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). PDFs can contain links and buttons, form fields, audio, video, and business logic. They can also be signed electronically and are easily viewed using free Acrobat Reader DC software.

PNG – Portable Network Graphics
PNG – Portable Network Graphics

PNG (pronounced ping as in ping-pong; for Portable Network Graphics) is a file format for image compression that, in time, is expected to replace the Graphics Interchange Format (GIF) that is widely used on today's Internet.

PSD – Photoshop Document
PSD – Photoshop Document

A PSD file is an Adobe Photoshop Document file. Learn how to open a .PSD file or convert a PSD file to JPG, PNG, SVG, or some other file format.

source: lifewire.com
image: lifewire.com
rtf - Rich Text Format
rtf - Rich Text Format

Rich Text Format document RTF is a text file format used by Microsoft products, such as Word and Office. RTF, or Rich Text Format, files were developed by Microsoft in 1987 for use in their products and for cross-platform document interchange. RTF is readable by most word processors. RTF files support text style formatting, as well as images within the text. RTF files can be converted into a different format by changing the formatting selection when saving the word document.

tex - A LaTeX Document File
tex - A LaTeX Document File

A .tex file should be a LaTeX source file. If this is the case, that file contains the source code for a LaTeX document. You can open it with any text editor (notepad, notepad++ should work) and you can view the source code.

TIF – Tagged Image File
TIF – Tagged Image File

TIFF (Tag Image File Format) is a common format for exchanging raster graphics (bitmap) images between application programs, including those used for scanner images. TIFF (Tag Image File Format) is a common format for exchanging raster graphics (bitmap) images between application programs, including those used for scanner images.

txt - Plain Text File
txt - Plain Text File

When saving the file, change the file name or file type to Plain Text to save it as a text file. In many of these programs, you'll also have the option to save the file as a Rich-Text Format. After the file has been created and saved, it can also be edited using Notepad or another word processing software program.

Web Page Images (gif and jpg)
Web Page Images (gif and jpg)

The JPEG format also is used as the image compression algorithm in many Adobe PDF files. TIFF The TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) is a flexible format that normally saves 8 bits or 16 bits per color (red, green, blue) for 24-bit and 48-bit totals, respectively, using either the TIFF or the TIF filenames.

Web Text Pages (htm or Html)
Web Text Pages (htm or Html)

Any web browser, like Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Opera, etc., will open and properly display HTM and HTML files. In other words, opening one of these files in a browser will "decode" what the HTM or HTML file is describing and display the content correctly.

source: lifewire.com
wks and wps- Microsoft Works File
wks and wps- Microsoft Works File

Open, edit, and save documents in the Works Word Processor file format supported by Works versions 6, 7, 8 and 9. This download requires Windows Installer version 3.1 or higher. Please refer to System Requirements below for more details.

source: microsoft.com
Word Documents (doc)
Word Documents (doc)

Type "ext:doc" in the top, right search box to automatically view all doc or docx file on your computer. This locates the older doc Word files, as well as the newer docx Word files. Step. Type "ext:docx" in the search box to view all docx Word files and exclude the older doc format.

source: techwalla.com
wpd - WordPerfect Document
wpd - WordPerfect Document

5 Ways to Open/Convert and Edit a .WPD (Word Perfect) File on a Windows PC. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD IT; CLICK HERE to download the iPad WordPerfect Viewer;

image: ssc.wisc.edu