File extensions – definition and basic information


File extensions are the integral parts of the files that are on each computer. Often, when working on a computer, we encounter a wide range of files, such as docx, ppt, part, mp3 or rmvb. We realize that they are there – but we often do not know what they are for on our computer.

File extension, also known as the filename extension is a suffix added to the name of a computer file, usually consisting of a number of characters placed after the last dot in the filename, which gives us information about its coding. In other words a file extension is a file format. It allows the operating system (e.g. Windows) to recognize what program it should try to open the file.

In the table below you will find a random selection of popular file extensions.


File extension The full name of the file Category

AI file extension

Adobe Illustrator File

Vector Image Files

BAT file extension

DOS Batch File

Executable Files

C file extension

C/C++ Source Code File

Developer Files

CRDOWNLOAD file extension

Chrome Partially Downloaded File

Misc Files

PDB file extension

Program Database

Database Files

PPTX file extension

PowerPoint Open XML Presentation

Data Files

PSD file extension

Adobe Photoshop Document

Raster Image Files

RA file extension

Real Audio File

Audio Files

RTF file extension

Rich Text Format File

Text Files

SQL file extension

Structured Query Language Data File

Database Files

SWF file extension

Shockwave Flash Movie

Video Files

TORRENT file extension

BitTorrent File

Misc Files

TXT file extension

Plain Text File

Text Files

VCXPROJ file extension

Visual C++ Project

Developer Files

XLR file extension

Works Spreadsheet

Spreadsheet Files