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

ASX file extension

Microsoft ASF Redirector File

Video Files

CER file extension

Internet Security Certificate

Web Files

CPL file extension

Windows Control Panel Item

System Files

CRX file extension

Chrome Extension

Plugin Files

DB file extension

Database File

Database Files

DXF file extension

Drawing Exchange Format File

CAD Files

GED file extension

GEDCOM Genealogy Data File

Data Files

ODT file extension

OpenDocument Text Document

Text Files

PPS file extension

PowerPoint Slide Show

Data Files

TAX2012 file extension

TurboTax 2012 Tax Return

Data Files

TEX file extension

LaTeX Source Document

Text Files

TIF file extension

Tagged Image File

Raster Image Files

XLS file extension

Excel Spreadsheet

Spreadsheet Files

YUV file extension

YUV Encoded Image File

Raster Image Files