Formats

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Changing Formats

Every computer file uses a specific format - but in the end the program you want to use it with will only accept some of them. So it is often necessary to convert the format used for images, text, video and sound (audio).

The format is primarily specified by the file suffix - or, saying it the other way around, the file suffix indicates which program it belongs to. You can find the connection between file suffix and program by visiting File-extensions.org, Fileext or Dotwhat.net Note: All 3 sites recommend utilities and additions to your browser that I have not used or tested - but their info on extensions is accurate and useful.

If you are not familiar with suffixes, it may be because by default, Windows hides the suffixes. To see them, go to My Computer, (Or Computer in Vista and Windows 7) then Tools>Folder Options>View and under Advanced Settings check Show Hidden Files and Folders instead of Do not Show Hidden Files and Folders.

Text

Converting from Word Perfect to Microsoft Word is a common problem. The best way is to use the free Open Office Suite which will open Word Perfect and many other formats and then you can save in Word or any other supported format.

Some Microsoft formats

There are a few common extensions that require expensive programs to open and enable you to modify it but a "reader program" is available for free. The best example is .ppt which can be opened by Microsoft's PowerPoint Reader. Here is a list of readers currently available from Microsoft:

These are not really converters since they are read-only. But you can then copy and paste the content into your own program and do what you want.

Images

Most graphics programs will open almost any format and allow you to save in any other but there are a few exceptions:

  • RAW camera files require more sophistication - either the camera maker's software, Photoshop or specialty programs.
  • Icon Files - an icon uses the .ico extension and is a special format. One program that opens most formats and will save in .ico format is Irfanview. It is free and is also an excellent image viewer. When making icons, note that they are generally "large" (32 pixels square) or small (16 pixels square).

More on image formats in general on the Image Software page.

Sound (Audio)

Video is a large complex subject and not covered here but sound is much simpler.Audacity

Audio Editor

A really good point for starting on editing sound is Audacity (free). If you have recordings on CD or tape and you'd like to make a sample, mix tracks, remove clicks, adjust levels or fade, or generally just change the audio, a free program that works well is Audacity. That's the good news - but it only accepts .wav, .mp3, .aif, .au and .ogg files. It can only save as .wav, mp3 or .ogg. So you may then have to convert the audio format - see next item.

Audio Format conversion

One program that does this well is Switch (basic version free). It handles most if not all audio formats in use.