A file extension is the characters that follow the period in a file name.
This usually indicates the file format (but not always!)
Why Are File Extensions Used?
Various Files in Windows.
For example, the filenotes.docxends indocx, a file extension that’s associated withMicrosoft Wordon your system.
File extensions also often indicate thefile jot down, orfile format, of the file, but not always.
File Extensions vs File Formats
File extensions and file formats are often spoken about interchangeably.
For example, in the file namedata.csv, the file extension iscsv, indicating that this is aCSV file.
Another way to make a file open with a different program is to rename the file extension.
Here’s how:
fire up the Run dialog box viaWIN+R.
From theViewtab, remove the check next toHide extensions for known file types.
Windows also lets you change a file extension from the command line.
See ourRename Commandarticle for more information on doing this.
You could rename the file fromfilename.srftofilename.jpg.
Windows puts a limit on how many characters can come after the period to make up the file extension.
It’s a combination of the file name, extension, and path to the file.
In this instance,Photoshopis a perfect example of an image manipulation program that could do this job.
For example,video.mp4is clear it’s an MP4 video, butvideo.mp4.exeisverydifferent, despite the small filename difference.
FAQ
APK (Android app package)is the file extension used for Android apps.
Apps for iOS use theIPA (iOS App Store Package)extension.
Zip filesare archives containing multiple files in a compressed format.
They’re used to transfer and store larger files in one small package.
Zip is the name of the file format and the extension (ZIP).
bring up the file in its default software, then chooseFile>Save As.
Find theSave As TypeorFormatdrop-down menu and pick a new file bang out.
Give it a new name and save it to your hard drive.
This changes the extensionandthe format.
