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

XLSX file extension

Microsoft Excel Open XML Spreadsheet

Spreadsheet Files

SH file extension

Bash Shell Script

Developer Files

WPD file extension

WordPerfect Document

Text Files

CUR file extension

Windows Cursor

System Files

AVI file extension

Audio Video Interleave File

Video Files

BAT file extension

DOS Batch File

Executable Files

7Z file extension

7-Zip Compressed File

Compressed Files

TORRENT file extension

BitTorrent File

Misc Files

MSI file extension

Windows Installer Package

Misc Files

CFG file extension

Configuration File

Settings Files

LNK file extension

Windows File Shortcut

System Files

MP3 file extension

MP3 Audio File

Audio Files

FON file extension

Generic Font File

Font Files

DB file extension

Database File

Database Files

DXF file extension

Drawing Exchange Format File

CAD Files