Common File Types
Last 3 letters of a file name is the “file extension.” The letters are preceded by a period or dot (.) The file extension will tell the computer what kind of file it is and then use
that information to determine which program will open that file type.
There are many different file types in the world of computers. Some are image or music files while others are associated with more specialized programs that only
recognize a specific project file type. Every computer can be configured to open a file the with a preferred program.
You won’t need to know the full name - as long as you understand the differences in the file types.
Refer to .jpg, .png & pdf files by saying the last 3 letters.
File Extension What kind of file is it? Commonly used program(s) Characteristics
Video, audio/music, image, Project File
.psd A photoshop project file
Photoshop, Photopea, Includes all layers in the project.
image editing Some video editing programs Image Editing
.jpg or .jpeg Image/Photo Photo and Video editing programs “Lossy” = Compressed
Any image viewer Does not include any
(Joint Photographic transparency information
Experts Group)
.png Image with transparency Photo and Video editing programs Includes transparency
Any image viewer
information. Need this format in
(Portable Network
video editor if parts of the image
Graphics)
are transparent
.tiff Image file Most photo editing and some video editors Large Files
“lossless” compression - no
Tagged Image File
quality loss when saving and re-
Format
saving.
.doc Document file Microsoft Word - Editable
Can’t open in image or video
programs.
Document
.pages Apple Document file Apple’s Word Format - Editable Can’t open in image or video
programs.
Apple Document
.pdf Adobe Document File -
Adobe Acrobat Viewer,
Document is for viewing only -
Do not Confuse the a Photoshop file Websites
not editable
Portable Document
File
