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

AVI file extension

Audio Video Interleave File

Video Files

CFM file extension

ColdFusion Markup File

Web Files

DBF file extension

Database File

Database Files

DOC file extension

Microsoft Word Document

Text Files

EPS file extension

Encapsulated PostScript File

Vector Image Files

GBR file extension

Gerber File

Data Files

JS file extension

JavaScript File

Web Files

MSI file extension

Windows Installer Package

Misc Files

PPS file extension

PowerPoint Slide Show

Data Files

RA file extension

Real Audio File

Audio Files

SVG file extension

Scalable Vector Graphics File

Vector Image Files

SYS file extension

Windows System File

System Files

VOB file extension

DVD Video Object File

Video Files

XLR file extension

Works Spreadsheet

Spreadsheet Files

ZIP file extension

Zipped File

Compressed Files