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

ASX file extension

Microsoft ASF Redirector File

Video Files

BIN file extension

Binary Disc Image

Disk Image Files

CRX file extension

Chrome Extension

Plugin Files

DAT file extension

Data File

Data Files

DOC# file extension

Microsoft Word Document

Text Files

FLA file extension

Adobe Flash Animation

Developer Files

GBR file extension

Gerber File

Data Files

ISO file extension

Disc Image File

Disk Image Files

KMZ file extension

Google Earth Placemark File

GIS Files

ODT file extension

OpenDocument Text Document

Text Files

OTF file extension

OpenType Font

Font Files

PY file extension

Python Script

Developer Files

SH file extension

Bash Shell Script

Developer Files

SVG file extension

Scalable Vector Graphics File

Vector Image Files

WPD file extension

WordPerfect Document

Text Files