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

APK file extension

Android Package File

Executable Files

ASP file extension

Active Server Page

Web Files

AVI file extension

Audio Video Interleave File

Video Files

AZW file extension

Amazon Kindle eBook File

eBook Files

DB file extension

Database File

Database Files

JAR file extension

Java Archive File

Executable Files

PAGES file extension

Pages Document

Text Files

PPT file extension

PowerPoint Presentation

Data Files

PSPIMAGE file extension

PaintShop Pro Image

Raster Image Files

PY file extension

Python Script

Developer Files

SH file extension

Bash Shell Script

Developer Files

SRT file extension

SubRip Subtitle File

Video Files

WMV file extension

Windows Media Video File

Video Files

XLSX file extension

Microsoft Excel Open XML Spreadsheet

Spreadsheet Files