Tech Tip Tuesday: Fundamental File Formats - Part 4

In the Office:

There are some really fundamental file types that you need to know around the office.  First is Microsoft Office.  There are 3 file types for Microsoft Office.  from 1997-2004 Microsoft Office used the same file format. When Office 2007 was launched new features were added that aren't compatible with older versions of Office.  An x was added to distinguish between the older formats and the newer one.  Office 2007 and later can still open and save files using the  original format but the *.***x format allows for more compatibility for sharing files online and editing them online.

• *.doc/*.docx
  
  
  
  • The .doc extension indicates a word processing document and is available to anyone using Microsoft Office.  Because Office was so widely adopted many other word processing softwares can read and save into this format.
  
  
  
  


• *.xls/*.xlsx
  
  
  
  • The *.xls extension is used for spreadsheet files. Excel can also create *.csv files and a few other formats, but most other spreadsheet programs can save in the *.xls format
  
  
  
  


• *.ppt/*.pptx
  
  
  
  • PowerPoint uses the .ppt extension.  PowerPoint can also create several other formats especially useful is the *.pps/*.ppsx format which a a PowerPoint Show.  This is a file that opens and plays the PowerPoint, but isn't editable. It can be very useful for sharing PowerPoint via email or on the web.
  
  
  
  

Secondly, is OpenOffice.  OpenOffice is a suite of Office Software that is free and OpenSource.  Because it is free, smaller entities are adopting it and using it.  OpenOffice has 6 different parts and can save files to wide array of formats.  The three main file typs match with Microsoft Office.

• *.odt
  
  
  
  • This extension indicates an OpenOffice text document or word processing document.
  
  
  
  


• *.odp
  
  
  
  • Open Office Presentations use the *.odp extension
  
  
  
  


• *.ods
  
  
  
  • The *.ods extension is used for spreadsheets.
  
  
  
  

Thirdly, is iWorks, this is Apple's suite of Office products.  Apple uses 3 formats for its software however, they don't follow the 3 letter convention

• *.pages for Pages Documents


• *.numbers for Numbers Spreadsheets


• *.key for Keynote Presentations