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

ACCDB file extension

Access 2007 Database File

Database Files

ASP file extension

Active Server Page

Web Files

ASX file extension

Microsoft ASF Redirector File

Video Files

CPL file extension

Windows Control Panel Item

System Files

DMG file extension

Mac OS X Disk Image

Disk Image Files

GPX file extension

GPS Exchange File

GIS Files

MIM file extension

Multi-Purpose Internet Mail Message File

Encoded Files

MP4 file extension

MPEG-4 Video File

Video Files

MSG file extension

Outlook Mail Message

Text Files

PKG file extension

Mac OS X Installer Package

Compressed Files

PPTX file extension

PowerPoint Open XML Presentation

Data Files

SDF file extension

Standard Data File

Data Files

SLN file extension

Visual Studio Solution File

Developer Files

SWF file extension

Shockwave Flash Movie

Video Files

XML file extension

XML File

Data Files