Data, Information, Files, Documents, Spreadsheets, Presentations, File Formats (Types) and File Extensions.
Data, Information and Files
What is data?
Data is raw alphanumerical characters and symbols which when arranged or presented in a certain way or manner becomes useful and is called information.
What is information?
Therefore, information is readable data for humans. Without some kind or type of way or method of manipulating the data into a readable or usable way, then it is simply raw data -i.e., a string of letters, numbers and symbols.
What is a file?
A file is a digital version of an analogue document (paper document). So, for example, before computers were invented, people used typewriters to type (document) a message, letter or; formal or informal paper of some kind. The digital revolution changed the face of typography and the recording of and storing of written text. A new era was born and it had transformed into an electronic form of a preceded physical handheld paper form.
File Formats
File formats are really just different kinds of files, whether it's a picture, a video or a document - they're all examples of file formats. They are not the same - i.e., they are different.
So, for example, .mp3 audio files are a different kind of file format than a .mp4 video file.
Similarly, a .docx file is not the same as a .ppt file.
File Extensions
A file extension is any set of letters or numbers that go after a dot '.' which goes after the actual filename. For example: FileABC.docx is a .docx file and has a file extension .docx. The filename is FileABC.
So file extensions are the 3 or 4 letters and numbers that go after the dot (.) after the name of the file.
File Formats and File Extension Table
File Format | File Extension |
7-Zip compression file | .7z |
Advanced Audio Config | .aac |
Android Application Installer Package file | .apk |
Microsoft Application Installer Package file | .appx |
Executable Binary file (multi-platform) | .bin |
Rasterized Bitmap Image file | .bmp |
Microsoft Word Document files | .doc, .docx |
Microsoft Word Template files | .dot, .dotx |
Electronic Publication files (eBooks) | .epub |
Microsoft Windows executable application file | .exe |
GIF picture image file | .gif |
Microsoft Graph file | .gra |
Disc Image file | .iso |
JPEG picture photo file | .jpg, .jpeg |
Mobi file for reading ebooks on mobile and e-reader devices | .mobi |
Apple Movie file | .mov |
MP3 Audio file | .mp3 |
MP4 Video file | .mp4 |
Open Document Text file | .odt |
Open Document Template file | .ott |
Adobe Portable Document Format file | |
Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation files | .ppt, .pptx |
Rich Text Format | .rtf |
Text file | .txt |
Wave Audio file | .wav |
Windows Metafile | .wmf |
Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet file | .xls, |
Microsoft Binary Workbook file | .xlsb |
Microsoft Excel Workbook file | .xlsx |
Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet Template file | .xlt |
Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet Template file | .xltx |
Zip compression file (also called an archive file) | .zip |
Office Suites
Software office application suites generically include a wordprocessor, spreadsheet and presentation app. They may include other apps, such as: drawing, maths or email apps.
There are several available free for download or for purchase. Some of the popular office suites include: Microsoft Office, LibreOffice, OpenOffice and some others.
microsoft.com (paid)
libreoffice.org (free)
openoffice.org (free)
Whilst Microsoft retains the label as the initial standard, most Office Suite software packages can open, edit and save any Microsoft .file extension.
Documents
The first documents were text documents with a file extension .txt
Then Microsoft introduced the first commercial word processing program called Microsoft Word.
It became and possibly still is today, the world's most popular document format - the .doc file.
The template file format and extension is .dot (dot dot).
It evolved into the .docx file (XML style of the .doc file format). It is considered an international standard these days and is recognised by most word processors today, which means that this type of file can be opened, edited and saved. The template is .dotx.
Spreadsheets
Spreadsheets have taken off (suddenly become very popular) and have become the useful tool for mathematics, science, accounting, management and business.
The generic file formats for spreadsheets are .xls and .xlsx.
The generic file formats for templates are .xlt and .xltx.
Presentations
Presentations have become the choice of meeting presentation platform mediums, available today.
The generic file formats for presentations are .ppt and .pptx.
The generic file formats for presentations are .pot and .potx.
PDF’s
The PDF document has become a document format and extension of choice, for modern-day technology users. Adobe’s famous Portable Document Format, or PDF, has become an international/universal standard in document sharing formats.These days,anyone can print a PDF document file, by pressing together the Ctrl + P keys to “print” a PDF, or save as a “PDF.”