Learn about file formats - Microsoft Support (2024)

Excel for Microsoft 365 Word for Microsoft 365 PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 Excel 2021 Word 2021 PowerPoint 2021 Excel 2019 Word 2019 PowerPoint 2019 Excel 2016 Word 2016 PowerPoint 2016 Excel 2013 Word 2013 PowerPoint 2013 More...Less

A file format specifies how data is stored for a particular application. For example, a .docx file is an Open XML formatted Microsoft Word document. Not all applications can read all file format; and in some cases an application may only be able to read parts of the file. For example, a application may be able to read the text, but not the formatting, of a file that uses a format other than its own.

OpenDocument Format (ODF) was originally developed to support the features and behavior of OpenOffice-based productivity suites and Open XML was originally developed to support the features and behavior of Microsoft Office.

Microsoft Office now provides support for ODF and gives people using Microsoft Office the chance to save their Office files in ODF. However, because Microsoft Office and OpenOffice features aren’t exactly the same or aren’t implemented the same way, people who use unsupported features and save Office files in ODF might experience changes in how they can work with the file and sometimes see a loss of content.

The Open XML format (.docx/.xlsx/.pptx) is the default format in all supported versions of Microsoft Office and, unless you have a specific reason to use a different format, it's the format we recommend using for your Office files.

To learn more about the Open Document Format (ODF) generally seeOASIS Open Document Format for Office Applications.

Learn more about the differences in file formats

Need more help?

Want more options?

Discover Community Contact Us

Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.

Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge.

Find solutions to common problems or get help from a support agent.

Learn about file formats - Microsoft Support (2024)

FAQs

What file types does Microsoft Word support? ›

Common file name extensions in Windows
ExtensionFormat
docmMicrosoft Word macro-enabled document
docxMicrosoft Word document
dotMicrosoft Word template before Word 2007
dotxMicrosoft Word template
91 more rows

What is Microsoft file format? ›

docx, . xlsx, and . pptx. These formats and file name extensions apply to Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint.

What are the four main types of file formats? ›

If you use images or videos that are too large in size, your web page can take longer to load and visitors may leave before you get a chance to grab their attention. In this guide, we'll explore some of the different types of files for the 4 primary file types: document, image, video, and audio.

What file types does Microsoft Teams support? ›

The file types you can, must and should store in SharePoint, OneDrive and Microsoft Teams are primarily Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF and standard image formats. Microsoft 365 is a collaboration platform and by that is meant that you should be able to collaborate on/in the files that are stored there.

How many types of file systems are supported by Microsoft? ›

The following tables list functionality and feature support comparisons for the four main Windows file systems, NTFS, exFAT, UDF, and FAT32: Functionality.

What does docx stand for? ›

In 2008, Microsoft released an updated version of the DOC format that could be used in other programs with a few functional limitations. Microsoft Office Open XML (DOCX)

What is the default file type for Microsoft Word? ›

The Open XML format (. docx/. xlsx/. pptx) is the default format in all supported versions of Microsoft Office and, unless you have a specific reason to use a different format, it's the format we recommend using for your Office files.

How to know file format? ›

A file extension comes after the period in a filename and is typically made up of three or four alphanumeric characters that identify the file's format. For example, in a file named testfile1. txt, the extension is txt, which indicates that the underlying file is a plain text document.

Which file type can be best used with Microsoft Office? ›

DOCX (Word): The DOCX format is the default file format for Microsoft Word documents. It is a widely supported format that retains formatting, images, and other document elements. It is recommended for text-based documents.

What is the simplest file format? ›

JSON. JSON is a simple file format that is very easy for any programming language to read. Its simplicity means that it is generally easier for computers to process than others, such as XML.

What are the five basic kind of files? ›

Low and behold, here are the different types of files you should know and how to use them:
  • JPEG.
  • PNG.
  • GIF.
  • PDF.
  • SVG.
  • MP4.
Nov 22, 2023

What formats are compatible with Microsoft Office? ›

Supported Microsoft Office File Types
  • Microsoft Word files (*.doc, *.docx, *.rtf)
  • Microsoft Excel files (*.xls, *.xlsx)
  • Microsoft PowerPoint files (*.ppt, *.pptx)
  • PDF files (*.pdf)
  • Text files (*.txt)

What file types does Outlook support? ›

Certain types of accounts, such as POP accounts, store their information in Outlook Data Files (. pst files). Outlook 365 accounts, Exchange accounts, IMAP accounts, and Outlook.com accounts store their information in Offline Outlook Data Files (. ost files).

What file system does Microsoft Windows use? ›

NTFS, the primary file system for recent versions of Windows and Windows Server, provides a full set of features including security descriptors, encryption, disk quotas, and rich metadata.

What files can you open in word? ›

File formats that are supported in Word
ExtensionName of file format
.docmWord Macro-Enabled Document
.docxWord Document
.docxStrict Open XML Document
.dotWord 97-2003 Template
14 more rows
Mar 1, 2023

Which file format cannot be added to a word document? ›

Detailed answer: -

kpz is the file format cannot be added to a word document. All the extensions or the formats that are of the images of graphics can be added in the Word documents.

What is a word compatible file? ›

Compatibility Mode temporarily disables new or enhanced Word features so that the document can still be edited by people using the earlier version of Word. Compatibility Mode also preserves the layout of the document.

What is a .DOC file? ›

A DOC file is a word processing document created by Microsoft Word. DOC files use the . DOC extension and have generally been used to make and save various types of written documents such as letters, CVs, essays and brochures. Other written documents like cover letters for example, typically use PDFs .

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Rueben Jacobs

Last Updated:

Views: 6095

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (57 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rueben Jacobs

Birthday: 1999-03-14

Address: 951 Caterina Walk, Schambergerside, CA 67667-0896

Phone: +6881806848632

Job: Internal Education Planner

Hobby: Candle making, Cabaret, Poi, Gambling, Rock climbing, Wood carving, Computer programming

Introduction: My name is Rueben Jacobs, I am a cooperative, beautiful, kind, comfortable, glamorous, open, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.