Proprietary File FormatsMany applications will have their own file formats:

Microsoft Word

OpenOffice Writer

Microsoft Excel

Apple Numbers

May not be possible to open a document created in one application in a different application

TextTXT FilesStores plain text (characters) onlyNo formatting:

No styles (e.g. bold, underline) Only 1 font

Can be opened in any text editor / word processor

TextRTF FilesRich Text FormatStores text (characters) and some basic formatting:

Styles (e.g. bold, underline) Font size

All word processors will recognise RTF

GraphicsBMP FilesBitmap FilesStore the colour for each pixel

8 bits per pixel = 256 colours 16 bits per pixel = 65,536 colours 24 bits per pixel = 16,777,216 colours = true colour

Uncompressed meaning file size can be large

GraphicsGIFGraphics Information InterchangeBit depth: 8 bits = 256 possible coloursCan use transparencyLossless compression

GraphicsJPEGJoint Photographic Expert GroupBit depth: 24 bits = 16,777,216 possible coloursLossy compressionSmaller file size - good for storing files online and on devices

Transparency

GraphicsPNGPortable Network GraphicsBit depth: 24 bits = 16,777,216 possible coloursLossless compressionDesigned to replace GIF – better compressionProvides degrees of transparency (opacity)

AudioWAVWaveform Audio FormatUncompressedLossless audio formatStandard for audio CDs

AudioMP3Motion Pictures Expert Group 1 – Audio Layer 3Lossy compressionRemove sounds that are inaudible to the human ear - very low and very high frequenciesCompression results in file sizes 1/10 of originalUsed on portable devices and streaming audio

VideoMPEGMotion Pictures Expert GroupLossy compressionStore only the changes from one frame to the next rather then the entire frameCompression impact generally imperceptible to the human eye

VideoAVIAudio Video InterleaveCan provide lossless compression, but large file sizesResolution of 320 x 240

SpreadsheetsXLSMicrosoft ExcelIndustry standard spreadsheet applicationExtensive functionality: calculations, graphing tools, pivot tables, and a macro programming language

SpreadsheetsCSVComma-separated valuesUses data (comma) to separate the data in each rowOnly plain text, no formatting or graphic objects stored

SpreadsheetsXMLExtensible Mark-up LanguageFlexible way to create information formats and electronically share structured dataData contained within elements which have a beginning and an end tag

PDF Portable Document Format File format that has captured all the elements (text, formatting,

graphics) of a printed document as an electronic image PDF files are created using Adobe Acrobat The free program Acrobat Reader needed to view PDF files Used for documents, magazine articles, brochures PDF files cannot be edited without buying additional software or

importing into other applications