In the information world, there are more than a dozen different text formats. To work with text files, most computer users use a software package Microsoft office. Extensive functionality, ease of editing almost all known formats and constant updates have allowed Microsoft Word become the most popular document editor. Since there is no single format text files, users often have questions about how to change the format text document. Faced with an "unreadable" format or urgently need to change the format?..

Before you start changing the file format, you need to understand how the document format differs from its extension. The format is the contents of the file, and the extension is just a set of letters that tell the system what program to open the file with. For example, if the file extension is .avi, then Windows will open it with the default video player.

Changing the Format of Word Documents

To change the format of a text document, it is recommended to use the built-in features of the Microsoft Word editor. Open a document in any version of Office, click on the "File" button at the top of the screen and select the "Save As" tab.

In the drop-down list, select the format in which you want to save the file. Choose a location to save the new file and click Save.

In this way, you can "translate" any Word document into the desired format.

Changing the txt file format

If you need to change the format of a txt file, then it's much easier to change the file extension. But first you need to enable the display of extensions in Windows. Open "My Computer" and press the Alt key on your keyboard. In the line that appears, click on the "Tools" button and go to the "Folder Options" tab.

In the new "Folder Options" window, go to the "View" tab, scroll through the " Extra options” to the end and uncheck the box “Hide extensions for known file types”. Then click the "Apply" button, followed by "OK".

Click on text file right click mouse and select "Rename" from the context menu. For example, if a text file in .txt format is changed to .html, then the file will already open in the browser.

In the same way, you can "translate" a txt file into a .doc or .rtf format. But if you try to rename the extension, any Word document in .txt will have problems opening the file.

If you don't have a package Microsoft programs Office, you can use special converting utilities or online services.

Many PC users have to face the need to change the file format - for example, to play video in mkv format on a device that only supports mp4 or 3gp. To change, you can use special programs, online services, and even those editors where data with this extension is created. Most apps are completely free or shareware and easy to use.

What is a file format?

The term "format" of a file refers to the information that a computer uses to open certain area data. Based on this information, select suitable program– in most cases, the operating system does this automatically. For new extensions not yet opened by the system, the user must select the application manually - if there are problems with this, information about the specific format can be obtained on the Web.

The extension is 2-4 characters after the dot in the name - it is recognized in Windows, including the display of this information, file managers type Total Commander provide this opportunity immediately. When the opening application is already installed, its icon changes - by icon experienced user make inferences about the data type.

Text in .docx format will open in Office by default. Word application. In this case, the icon will look like a blue letter W. If there is no MS Office package on the computer, but OpenOffice is already installed, the document will open in this program. The default option can be changed - for example, forcing .txt files to open not in Notepad, but in a text editor.

Programs for changing file formats of various types

Simple and fast way, which allows both changing the file format and converting it to a new type, are special programs-converters. With their help, change the extension for the following types of data:

• Images. Almost any graphic editor is suitable for this, from Paint, which works with PNG extensions, JPG, BMP and GIF, up to Adobe Photoshop, capable of converting information received from digital cameras.
• Audio. Sound objects are capable of converting almost any music editing software.
• Video. This format can be changed in video editors like VSDC Free video editor or Photomontage.

In addition to programs that can change a specific group of files, there are whole line universal applications that can cope with the transformation of several types of data at once. For example, Format Factory and SuperC work with video, images, and audio. And utilities such as Any Video Converter Free, Any Audio Converter and ImBatch, by changing only the sound, videos and pictures, support the conversion of a group of files. To work with applications, you need to download, install, open them, select the necessary data and specify a new format. The process takes a minimum of time, although the exact duration depends on the number of objects being modified.

If you need to change the file format for a document that has an extension like .doc, .pdf or .org, use the same programs in which it can be created. For text it will be Word or OpenOffice, for spreadsheets it will be Excel. Electronic Documents converts a program such as Adobe FineReader. It is worth noting that analogues of these applications are created not only for Windows, but also for Android and iOS. And if you wish, you can use online resources for the same purpose.

Online services for converting files

The advantage of sites that can change the format is that there is no need to install additional software on the computer. software. Sometimes this allows you to solve the problem with the lack of administrative rights for the user and the prohibition to make changes. In other cases, this feature saves space on system drive and does not take RAM computer.

In the list of services that provide format change, you can find:

• Convertio.co/ru/ converter that works with audio, video, text documents, presentations and even archives. With the help of online software, you can change several files at once.
• Resource docspal.com/ru/ is a multi-converter capable of not only converting data, but also working with 5 elements at the same time.
• convertonlinefree.com service. Despite the almost “speaking” name, the site works not only with PDF formats and DOC, but also with different options for texts, images and even e-books.

Another well-known and popular resource is online-convert.com/ru, when you go to home page which you can see a list of 8 transformation options. The service is able to change documents, images, videos, music, archives, electronic books and even web services and hashes. To work with the resource, select the final format and click on the "Start" button next to the selected type. You can then select a file from your computer, from cloud storage or follow the link, run the conversion and download the resulting data back to disk.

Changing file extensions in Windows

In most cases, simply changing the format of a file by renaming it, but without actually converting it, does not give the user any additional features. A picture with a docx extension will not open in Word, a table renamed from xlsx to rar will not become an archive. However, sometimes it is really necessary to change the format. For example, to get from text with the txt extension, the executable bat file. Such a replacement will come in handy and, if necessary, make it from the same txt html web page.

Before a normal rename on Windows, you need to turn on the display of the extension. Usually it is invisible so as not to interfere with the renaming of the name. How to turn it on depends on the version of Windows:

The extension is now visible to the user. To change the format of only one file, you can use context menu, select the rename option.

You can fix file group extensions by opening cmd. To do this, press Shift key, right-click on the folder with files to rename in Explorer, select "open command window". In cmd type the command below, press Enter:

ren *.xxx *.yyy, where xxx is the start format and yyy is the end format.

By changing the file format with the help of special programs and resources, they provide the ability to open elements of the same type with certain applications, reduce their size (as in the case of converting BMP or RAW to JPEG). The easiest way to do this is with images and documents using a regular editor. For some files, you can simply change the extension to Windows system, but their number is limited - in most cases, simply changing the inscription will not give any result.

In this article, I will show you how to change the file extension in the Windows operating system to correctly match the file type or format. Instructions for changing the file name extension are suitable for Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7 operating systems.

A file extension is a set of characters (from 2 to 4) that define the file format or type, appended after a dot to the file name. For example, in the file “Document.txt”, the file name “Document” comes first, followed by a dot, and after the dot, the file extension is “txt”.

What are file extensions for? File extensions help the Windows operating system determine the type or format of a file to match an application to open. of this type file. When matched correctly, programs immediately open the corresponding file type.

Why does Windows need to change the file extension? Some files initially have incorrect extensions. Often this happens when downloading files from the Internet. The downloaded file has an unknown extension, but in fact it can be an MP3 audio file, or an MP4 video file. After changing the extension to the correct one, the file will be opened using a program designed to open this type of file (in our case, using a multimedia player).

Attention! Changing the filename extension in Windows should only be done if you are sure that it is really necessary. Please note that this is a reversible operation. In case of unsuccessful renaming, you can return the file to its previous extension.

By default, in Windows extensions files are hidden. Therefore, it is necessary to make the operating system display the file extension.

How to change file extension in Windows 10

In the Windows 10 operating system, you can enable the display of hidden file extensions in two ways.

The first way to enable display of filename extensions:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Click the "View" tab.
3. Check the box next to "File name extensions".

The second way to enable the display of filename extensions:

1. Open the View tab in Explorer.
2. Click on "Options" and then on "Change folder and search options".
3. In the Folder Options window, click the View tab.
4. Uncheck the box next to "Hide extensions for known file types".
5. Click on the "OK" button.

After that, you will see that the file extensions are now displayed.

How to change file extension in Windows 7

File extensions will be available for modification in the manner described above.

How to change file extension in Windows 8 (Windows 8.1)

AT operating systems Windows 8.1 and Windows 8 open an Explorer window. Next, follow the same steps, exactly the same as in Windows 10:

1. Enter the "View" tab.
2. Activate the "File name extensions" item.

Another way: in the "View" tab of Explorer, enter "Options", and then "Change folder and search options." In the Folder Options window.

In the "View" tab, uncheck the box "Hide extensions for known file types". Next, click on the "OK" button.

File extensions can now be changed in the way described above in the article.

Article Conclusions

If necessary, you can change the file name extension in the Windows operating system to a different file extension to match the file type correctly. In Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, you must first display the file extension, and then change to a different file extension name.

Many novice users are wondering how to change the file format in the absence of programs to open it.

Data arrays can be conditionally divided into four main types:

• text;
• Images;
• audio;
• video.

To save traffic, large documents are packed into special archives such as rar, zip, etc.

Each type of document requires its own methods for changing extensions.

Before performing the operation, you need to carefully evaluate all the consequences so as not to lose part of the information or the entire document.

The operating system does not initially display the extension code. To change the settings, open the Folder Options window. The access path has 2 options.

• open explorer;
• at the top right, select the "Folder Options" tab;
• in the next window, select "View";
• in the list, find the item "Hide extensions for known file types";
• remove the checkmark in front of the inscription (mouse over and press the key);
• then click "OK".

In the second option, click the "Start" button on the desktop:

• Main menu, select "Control Panel";
• Select "Folder Options" from the icons.

Further actions are similar to those described above. After changing the settings, the file name in Windows 7 should be displayed with the extension .

Extensions of archives like zip, rar cannot be changed. Such folders should be unzipped (extracted) first. This operation is performed by special programs. The most popular are WinRAR and 7-zip. If the archiver is installed on your computer, when you try to open the file, a message will appear asking you to specify a location for the document.

Text file extensions can be changed using Explorer. To do this, highlight the file name, press the left mouse button. In the menu that opens, select the "Rename" item.

A frame will open on the line, the name is highlighted in blue, the extension is outside the selection area. The cursor should move past the last letter of the extension, press the Backspace key on the keyboard, delete the letters and enter new ones.

You can change the file format in text editors word, open office and similar ones. To do this, open the file in an editor. Then, in the upper left corner of the window, select "File", in the menu that opens, find the item "Save As", click the mouse or use the key combination "Ctrl + Shift + S".

The window settings contain several items, among which you should select "File Type". If choose desired extension difficult, you can click on the triangle at the end of the line. A list will open options, among which the mouse should select the desired one and click the "Save" button.

Some text formats can only be converted online by going to the website of the editor manufacturer. For books in fb2 and djvu formats, it is better to install the appropriate editors than to change the extension.

Graphic, audio, video files

There are several ways to change the image format. One of the simplest: open a folder with documents, select the one you need, press the right mouse button. Select "Properties" from the menu.

On the "General" tab, in the first line with the name XXXXXXX.xxx, replace the extension code, click the "OK" button. A window will open with a warning “This file may not be available after changing the extension. Make a change?". Press "Yes".

If the document contains information that needs to be preserved, you should make a copy and experiment with it. If the results are satisfactory, you can perform the conversion with other files.

Another way to change image extensions is to use graphic editor Paint installed initially. The image must be opened in the editor, use the F12 keyboard button or "File", "Save As".

When using F12, a window will open, in the bottom line of which you should select the desired extension. Selecting Menu on the right will open a list of possible save formats. Move the mouse pointer to the desired one and click. Next, the same window will open with the settings for the save location and change the name.

Instead of Paint, you can use any other editor with similar features.

The audio format can be changed by replacing the code in the explorer, but quality loss is possible. For reformatting audio and video, special converter programs have been created. Most of these applications are paid, trial versions they work for a short time or insert additional elements, sounds during conversion.

It is advisable to use converters for large volumes of formatted documents.

In order not to puzzle over how to change the format, it is advisable to install an additional player with advanced features, such as KMPlayer or GuberLink.

In addition to those described, there are other types of files containing HTML, CSS, PHP, and other types. How can I change the extension of these files? In a similar way, but using the appropriate editor.

A simple format change in File Explorer can bring the document into Out of Service. The reverse process is not always possible.

The file format is information for the operating system and for the PC user about the contents of the file. Knowing the format, the user roughly imagines what is in the file (text or video), and the operating system can choose a program to open it. The file format is specified in the extension of its name, that is, after the original file name and separated from it by a dot. In newer operating systems, the file extension is hidden from the user by default. To change the file format manually, for example in Windows 7, you need to delve into the settings.

Format types

All existing types files can be divided into:

In total, several thousand file formats have been developed. For users, this creates, of course, certain inconveniences. For example, you have a file of one format at your disposal, but you need a different format to post it on a photo hosting or page on a social network. You downloaded a file from the Internet, but your player does not play this format. In this case, you face the problem of how to change the file format.

You create your own original picture on the computer, for example, in Paint program. At the stage of saving the image in a specially appearing window, the program prompts the user to choose not only the address to save the file, specify its name, but also decide on the type (choose ipg, png, bmp, gif, or tiff format). The file type is set in a special field at the very bottom of the window, below the name entry field.

You can change the file format in exactly the same way by saving, for example, a screenshot from a website page in the FireShot application.

If you create your own movie in a modern video editor (Movavi, Video Editing), you can also change the file format to whatever suits you when you save the movie.

File conversion

If you did not take part in the creation of the file, but downloaded it from the Internet, it will already have a certain format set by the developer. How to convert the file format if you need the information stored in it, but the format is not suitable for some reason? For this, there are both special programs and online services on the Internet.

Universal program for converting video, audio and graphic files - Format Factory (Format Factory). The application is downloaded for free from the official website and installed on your computer. After installation, you can quickly and easily change the file format. Required format is selected from the list at a certain stage of working with the file.