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

BAT file extension

DOS Batch File

Executable Files

DB file extension

Database File

Database Files

FON file extension

Generic Font File

Font Files

GAM file extension

Saved Game File

Game Files

GPX file extension

GPS Exchange File

GIS Files

JSP file extension

Java Server Page

Web Files

KEY file extension

Keynote Presentation

Data Files

KML file extension

Keyhole Markup Language File

GIS Files

MSG file extension

Outlook Mail Message

Text Files

PDB file extension

Program Database

Database Files

PPS file extension

PowerPoint Slide Show

Data Files

PSPIMAGE file extension

PaintShop Pro Image

Raster Image Files

VCD file extension

Virtual CD

Disk Image Files

VCF file extension

vCard File

Data Files

XLS file extension

Excel Spreadsheet

Spreadsheet Files