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

APK file extension

Android Package File

Executable Files

CRDOWNLOAD file extension

Chrome Partially Downloaded File

Misc Files

DBF file extension

Database File

Database Files

FLA file extension

Adobe Flash Animation

Developer Files

INDD file extension

Adobe InDesign Document

Layout Files

JSP file extension

Java Server Page

Web Files

LUA file extension

Lua Source File

Developer Files

PPTX file extension

PowerPoint Open XML Presentation

Data Files

RAR file extension

WinRAR Compressed Archive

Compressed Files

SAV file extension

Saved Game

Game Files

SH file extension

Bash Shell Script

Developer Files

TAR file extension

Consolidated Unix File Archive

Data Files

VCD file extension

Virtual CD

Disk Image Files

XLR file extension

Works Spreadsheet

Spreadsheet Files

YUV file extension

YUV Encoded Image File

Raster Image Files