What does a file extention tell you

A file extension tells you the type or format of a file. It is usually a few letters or words that follow a period (e.g., .txt, .jpg, .mp3). Each file extension represents a specific file format, which determines how the data within the file is organized and can be read by different software programs.

To find out what a file extension tells you, you can follow these steps:

1. Look at the file name: The file extension is usually found at the end of the file name, after the period. For example, in the file name "document.docx," the file extension is ".docx."

2. Research the extension: Once you have identified the file extension, you can search online for information about that specific extension. Numerous websites provide detailed explanations of various file extensions, including official documentation and user guides.

3. Understand the format: Learn about the specific format associated with the file extension. For example, ".docx" is the file extension for Microsoft Word documents, which means the file is formatted as a Word document and can be opened and edited in Microsoft Word or other compatible software.

By understanding the file extension and its associated format, you can determine what kind of data or information is stored in the file and which software programs are compatible with it.