A file format is a standard way that information is encoded for storage in a computer file. It specifies how bits are used to encode information in a digital storage medium. File formats may be either proprietary or free and may be either unpublished or open.

What is a file format example?

The file format is the structure of a file that tells a program how to display its contents. For example, a Microsoft Word document saved in the . DOC file format is best viewed in Microsoft Word. Even if another program can open the file, it may not have all the features needed to display the document correctly.

What are the different types of file format?