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

DB file extension

Database File

Database Files

DOC file extension

Microsoft Word Document

Text Files

DRV file extension

Device Driver

System Files

FLA file extension

Adobe Flash Animation

Developer Files

HTM file extension

Hypertext Markup Language File

Web Files

JS file extension

JavaScript File

Web Files

MPA file extension

MPEG-2 Audio File

Audio Files

ODT file extension

OpenDocument Text Document

Text Files

PART file extension

Partially Downloaded File

Misc Files

RM file extension

Real Media File

Video Files

SAV file extension

Saved Game

Game Files

TAX2012 file extension

TurboTax 2012 Tax Return

Data Files

WMV file extension

Windows Media Video File

Video Files

ZIPX file extension

Extended Zip File

Compressed Files