File Extensions
Extension – .csv (Comma separated values)
Export & Open in which Software – Google sheet & Microsoft Excel
Which type of database is stored in it: Tabular data (numbers and text) in plain text.
Csv to be used as an intermediate format when transferring data from a database to a spreadsheet.
Extension – .dbf
Export & Open in which Software – dBASE, Access & Visual FoxPro
Which type of database is stored in it: It is used originally by the dBASE database management system to store tables of data and later adopted by similar DBMS packages. The file format was appealing because of its combination of a simple structure and support for data types appropriate for business use like accounting, inventory management, and customer relationship management (CRM).
Extension – .dbx
Export & Open in which Software – Outlook Express
Which type of database is stored in it: The .dbx file extension is associated with Microsoft Outlook Express. It stored email messages, contacts, and other data in individual .dbx files, one for each mailbox folder (e.g., inbox.dbx, sent items.dbx). They are encrypted.
Extension – .xls
Export & Open in which Software: MS Excel
Which type of database is stored in it: The older format used by Excel versions before 2007. It stores text, numbers, etc. Lacks efficiency and advanced features of open XML as compared to .xlsx.
Extension – .xlsx
Export & Open in which Software: MS Excel & Spreadsheet
Which type of database is stored in it: The default format for Excel workbooks since 2007. Stores data, formulas, formatting, charts, macros, and other elements in an Open XML (Extensible Markup Language) format, allowing smaller file sizes and enhanced compatibility with other platforms.
Extension – .xlm
Export & Open in which Software: MS Excel
Which type of database is stored in it: Macro files used by older versions of Excel (pre-2007).
Extension – .xlsm
Export & Open in which Software: MS Excel
Which type of database is stored in it: Macro-enabled Excel files. Contain VBA macros that can automate tasks and add functionality to spreadsheets.
Extension – .xla
Export & Open in which Software: MS Excel
Which type of database is stored in it: Macro add-in file format for older Excel versions, enabling custom functions and extensions within the application.
Extension – .xltx
Export & Open in which Software: MS Excel
Which type of database is stored in it: Excel template files. Useful for creating reusable layouts and formulas for similar spreadsheets.
Extension – .xlam
Export & Open in which Software: MS Excel
Which type of database is stored in it: Excel add-in files. Extend Excel functionality with custom features and tools.
Extension – .xltm
Export & Open in which Software: MS Excel
Which type of database is stored in it: Macro-enabled template files. Combine the benefits of templates with macro functionality.
Extension – .xlc
Export & Open in which Software: MS Excel
Which type of database is stored in it: Chart template files. Define reusable chart layouts and formatting for future use.
Extension – .xlsb
Export & Open in which Software: MS Excel
Which type of database is stored in it: Binary workbook format for Excel. Offers smaller file sizes but might not be compatible with all systems.
Extension – .xlk
Export & Open in which Software: MS Excel
Which type of database is stored in it: xlk files were designed as a safety net to prevent data loss in case of unexpected crashes or power outages. Excel automatically generated .xlk backups periodically while working on a file.
Extension – .xlt
Export & Open in which Software: MS Excel
Which type of database is stored in it: The .xlt file extension is used for Microsoft Excel Template files in versions prior to Excel 2007 (Excel 97-2003). It is essentially a pre-designed spreadsheet that can be used to create new workbooks with the same formatting, formulas, and settings, but without altering the original template.
Extension – .slk
Export & Open in which Software: MS Excel
Which type of database is stored in it: The .slk (Symbolic Link) extension is a file format used primarily for exchanging data between spreadsheet programs and databases. Introduced by Microsoft, SLK files contain data in a text-based format with specific formatting and control characters that represent cells, rows, and columns. This format is useful for transferring structured data between applications without requiring complex conversions, as the SLK format is simple and easy to parse by different systems.
Extension – .xlb
Export & Open in which Software: MS Excel
Which type of database is stored in it: The xlb extension is a Microsoft Excel file format used to store Excel toolbar customizations and settings for the user interface. It contains information about the arrangement of toolbars, menu items, and user-defined settings for Excel versions prior to 2007.
Extension – .xlw
Export & Open in which Software: MS Excel
Which type of database is stored in it: The .xlw extension is an Excel Workspace file used to save the layout of open Excel workbooks, allowing users to restore their workspace arrangement later. It does not contain any data from the spreadsheets themselves but rather the arrangement of windows and worksheets.
Extension – .xld
Export & Open in which Software: MS Excel
Which type of database is stored in it: The .xld extension is used for Excel data files, which store spreadsheet information in a format compatible with certain older versions of Excel. It allows for the exchange of data between different spreadsheet applications but is not commonly used in modern software.
Extension – .xlr
Export & Open in which Software: MS Excel
Which type of database is stored in it: The .xlr extension is associated with Microsoft Works, a productivity suite that includes a spreadsheet application. XLR files store spreadsheet data and can be opened and edited in older versions of Microsoft Excel, although they may require conversion for full compatibility with newer Excel formats.
Extension – .ods
Full form: OpenDocument Spreadsheet
Export & Open in which Software: LibreOffice Calc and OpenOffice Calc
Which type of database is stored in it: The .ods extension is used for spreadsheet files created by applications that support the OpenDocument format. It allows for storing data in a structured manner, including formulas, charts, and formatting, enabling easy sharing and collaboration across different software platforms.
Extension – .tsv (Tab-Separated Values)
Export & Open in which Software: MS Excel
Which type of database is stored in it: The .tsv extension is used for plain text files where data is organized in rows and columns, with each value separated by a tab character. It allows for easy data exchange between applications, as it can be opened and edited in spreadsheet programs like Excel and text editors, maintaining a simple structure without complex formatting.
Extension – .pdf
Export & Open in which Software: Adobe Reader
Which type of database is stored in it: PDF for sharing files as fixed, non-editable documents. Preserves formatting and layout for visual presentation.
Extension – .pptx
Export & Open in which Software: PowerPoint
Which type of database is stored in it : The default format for PowerPoint presentations since 2007. Stores all presentation elements like slides, text, images, audio, video, animations, and formatting in an Open XML format, providing smaller file sizes and better platform compatibility.
Extension – .ppt
Export & Open in which Software: PowerPoint
Which type of database is stored in it: The older binary format used before 2007. Stores most data types like .pptx but lack efficiency and advanced features of Open XML.
Extension – .pps
Export & Open in which Software: PowerPoint
Which type of database is stored in it: Slide show version of .ppt, optimised for playback without editing options.
Extension – .ppsx
Export & Open in which Software: PowerPoint
Which type of database is stored in it: Slide show version of .pptx, compatible with newer software while maintaining editing restrictions.
Extension – .pptm
Export & Open in which Software: PowerPoint
Which type of database is stored in it: Similar to .pptx but enables macros, allowing for automated tasks and functionalities within the presentation.
Extension – .potx
Export & Open in which Software: PowerPoint
Which type of database is stored in it: Template file format for .pptx, pre-configured with design elements and structures for repeated use.
Extension – .pot
Export & Open in which Software: PowerPoint
Which type of database is stored in it: Template file format for older .ppt versions.
Extension – .potm
Export & Open in which Software: PowerPoint
Which type of database is stored in it: The .potm extension denotes a macro-enabled PowerPoint template file, allowing users to create new presentations with predefined layouts and formatting that include VBA macros. When opened, it generates a new presentation based on the template, preserving the original file for future use.
Extension – .ppsm
Export & Open in which Software: PowerPoint
Which type of database is stored in it: The .ppsm extension denotes a macro-enabled PowerPoint show file, allowing users to create and share presentations that can include automated features through Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) macros. When opened, a .ppsm file runs directly in slideshow mode, enabling interactive elements and custom automation without exposing the underlying presentation for editing.
Extension – .odp
Full form: OpenDocument Presentation
Export & Open in which Software: OpenOffice Impress and LibreOffice Impress
Which type of database is stored in it: The .odp extension is used for presentation files created with OpenOffice Impress and LibreOffice Impress, allowing users to create slideshows like Microsoft PowerPoint. These files are based on the OpenDocument format, enabling interoperability between different office productivity software while supporting features like text, images, and multimedia elements.
Extension – .potx
Export & Open in which Software: PowerPoint
Which type of database is stored in it: The .potx extension represents a Microsoft PowerPoint template file that contains predefined layouts, styles, and formatting for creating new presentations. When a user opens a .potx file, it generates a new presentation based on the template, ensuring consistency in design and structure without altering the original template.
Extension – .ppa
Export & Open in which Software: PowerPoint
Which type of database is stored in it: The .ppa (PowerPoint Add-in) extension is used to enhance Microsoft PowerPoint by adding custom features, tools, or functionalities that can be reused across different presentations. When installed, the add-in integrates into the PowerPoint interface, allowing users to access its features directly from the ribbon or menu options.
Extension – .ppam
Export & Open in which Software: PowerPoint
Which type of database is stored in it: The .ppam extension is used for PowerPoint Add-ins that contain macros, allowing users to extend PowerPoint’s functionality with custom features, tools, or automated processes. When a .ppam file is installed in PowerPoint, it provides additional commands and functionalities that can enhance the user experience during presentations or slide creation.
Extension – .rtf
Export & Open in which Software: MS Word
Which type of database is stored in it: It is a widely compatible file format used to store formatted text documents. Unlike plain text files (.txt), RTF allows for various formatting options like:
Font size and style: Bold, italic, underline, etc.
Paragraph formatting: Alignment, indentation, line spacing.
Lists: Bulleted, numbered, etc.
Images and tables: Basic embedding capabilities.
This makes it ideal for sharing documents between different operating systems and software while preserving basic formatting.
Extension – .doc
Export & Open in which Software: MS Word
Which type of database is stored in it: The older binary format used in Word before 2007. Stores similar data to .docx but lacks Open XML efficiency and advanced features.
Extension – .docx
Export & Open in which Software: MS Word
Which type of database is stored in it: It is used in Microsoft Word 2007 and beyond. Stores data in an Open XML format, making it smaller, more compatible with other platforms, and rich in features like text, images, advanced formatting, charts, and macros.
Extension – .docm
Export & Open in which Software: MS Word
Which type of database is stored in it: Macro-enabled version of .docx, allowing custom automation and functionalities within the document.
Extension – .dotx
Export & Open in which Software: MS Word
Which type of database is stored in it: Template format for .docx, pre-configured with layouts, styles, and content for repetitive use.
Extension – .dot
Export & Open in which Software: MS Word
Which type of database is stored in it: It is used to create multiple documents that have similar formatting such as company letterhead, business memos or envelope.
Extension – .dotm
Export & Open in which Software: MS Word
Which type of database is stored in it: Document template created by Ms word. It contains the default layout, settings and macros for a document.
Extension – .odt
Export & Open in which Software: OpenOffice Writer and LibreOffice Writer
Which type of database is stored in it: The .odt (OpenDocument Text) extension is used for text documents created by OpenOffice Writer and LibreOffice, adhering to the Open Document Format (ODF) standard. It allows for easy sharing and editing of documents across different word processing software while preserving formatting and styles.
Extension – .docb
Export & Open in which Software: MS Word
Which type of database is stored in it: The .docb extension represents a binary Microsoft Word document format that is similar to .docx but stores the document in a binary rather than XML format. This format allows for faster loading and saving of documents, especially those containing large amounts of data or complex formatting, while also supporting macros.
Extension – .xps
Export & Open in which Software: Adobe
Which type of database is stored in it: A document format developed by Microsoft as an alternative to Adobe’s PDF. Like PDF, XPS files store formatted text, images, fonts, and layout information in a fixed-page layout, preserving the original document appearance regardless of the viewing software.
XPS is primarily supported on Windows systems, while PDF enjoys wider platform and software compatibility.
Extension – .eml
Export & Open in which Software: Microsoft Outlook Express
Which type of database is stored in it: It refers to a file format for storing individual email messages. An email saved in plain text. Plain text means no special formatting of the text, graphics or images. However, EML format will contain the email content, subject line and sender information along with certain other details.
Extension – .emlx
Export & Open in which Software: Apple Mail
Which type of database is stored in it: The .emlx extension is used for Apple Mail message files, storing individual email messages in plain text format, including the email content, headers, and metadata. These files can be opened and read by Apple Mail, allowing users to manage and organize their emails effectively.
Extension – .msg
Export & Open in which Software: Microsoft Outlook Express
Which type of database is stored in it: The .msg extension is used for Microsoft Outlook email messages, encapsulating the email content, including the body, attachments, and metadata. These files can be opened and viewed in Outlook or other compatible email clients, allowing users to access individual emails outside of the Outlook application.
Extension – .mbox
Export & Open in which Software: Mozilla Thunderbird, Apple Mail & Microsoft Outlook
Which type of database is stored in it: The .mbox file extension is used to store a collection of email messages in a single text file, where each message is separated by a “From” line. It is commonly used by email clients like Mozilla Thunderbird, Apple Mail, and Unix-based systems for email archiving and transfer.
Extension – .ost
Export & Open in which Software: Microsoft Outlook Express
Which type of database is stored in it: The .ost (Offline Storage Table) file extension is used by Microsoft Outlook to store a copy of your mailbox data when using an Exchange server, allowing you to access your emails, calendar, and contacts offline. Changes made offline are synchronised with the server when the connection is reestablished, ensuring data consistency.
Extension – .pst
Export & Open in which Software: Microsoft Outlook Express
Which type of database is stored in it: The .pst (Personal Storage Table) file extension is used by Microsoft Outlook to store copies of messages, calendar events, contacts, tasks, and other data in a single file on the user’s local storage. This format enables users to archive their emails and manage large amounts of data effectively, facilitating easy backup and transfer of Outlook information.
Extension – .nsf
Export & Open in which Software: IBM Lotus Notes
Which type of database is stored in it: The .nsf (Notes Storage Facility) extension is used by IBM Lotus Notes to store data in a structured database format, primarily for email, calendar entries, and other documents. It allows users to manage and access information efficiently, supporting both local and server-based applications.
Extension – .bmp
Export & Open in which Software: Adobe Photoshop
Which type of database is stored in it: Stores every pixel directly, resulting in large file sizes but high image quality. Primarily used in older software and for specific situations requiring lossless pixel-perfect representation.
Extension – .gif
Export & Open in which Software:
Which type of database is stored in it: Supports animation and transparency, making it great for simple animations, logos, and web graphics. Limited colour palette compared to other formats.
Extension – .jpg / .jpeg
Export & Open in which Software:
Which type of database is stored in it: The most common image format. Compresses images significantly with some quality loss, ideal for photographs and balancing file size with acceptable visual quality. Supported by virtually all software.
Extension – .jfif
Export & Open in which Software: Adobe Photoshop & CorelDraw
Which type of database is stored in it: The .jfif (JPEG File Interchange Format) extension is used for images that are compressed using the JPEG format, typically storing photographic data with efficient compression for web and graphic design applications. It includes metadata such as colour profiles and image dimensions to ensure proper display across different platforms and devices.
Extension – .webp
Export & Open in which Software:
Which type of database is stored in it: A newer format from Google offering superior compression than .jpg with comparable quality. Gaining traction due to its smaller file size while maintaining good visual quality.
Extension – .png
Export & Open in which Software:
Which type of database is stored in it: Stores images in a compressed format without losing any data, ideal for preserving details and sharp edges in logos, icons, and text-based graphics. Widely supported by most software.
Extension – .tiff & .tif
Export & Open in which Software:
Which type of database is stored in it: A professional image format offering high quality and flexibility for editing, layering, and lossless compression. Used in graphic design, photography, and scientific imaging.
Extension – heic (High Efficiency Image Coding)
Export & Open in which Software: iPhone and iPad
Which type of database is stored in it: This is a relatively new format that Apple adopted in 2017 to replace the more common JPEG format.
Extension – .ole
Export & Open in which Software: AutoCAD, Microsoft Access
Which type of database is stored in it: The .ole (Object Linking and Embedding) extension is used for embedding and linking to documents and other objects within applications, allowing users to integrate various types of content (like spreadsheets, charts, or images) into a single document. This enables dynamic content updating; changes made to the original object are reflected in the OLE-linked document.
Extension – .mdb
Export & Open in which Software: Microsoft access databases
Which type of database is stored in it: A database management system previously included in Microsoft Office suite. It stores database structures, tables, queries, forms, reports, and macros in a single file.
Export & Open in which Software: Avid Media Composer
Which type of database is stored in it: professional video editing software. These files Store metadata (Information about video edits, effects, markers, and other aspects of a video project) & Project settings (Configurations related to video format, timeline properties, and preferences).
Therefore, the primary software that creates .mdb files is Microsoft Access, specifically versions from Access 1.0 (1992) through Access 2003. While newer versions of Access (2007 and later) use the .accdb format as the default, they can still open and create .mdb files for compatibility purposes.
Extension – .rar
Export & Open in which Software: Winrar
Which type of database is stored in it: It’s primarily used for data compression, which means it shrinks the size of files and folders, making them easier to store, share, and transmit. RAR offers built-in error detection and recovery features, ensuring data integrity during compression and extraction.
Use a stronger password encryption option than ZIP.
Extension – 001 and .tbk (Tally backup Utility)
Export & Open in which Software: Tally
Which type of database is stored in it: These are backup files generated by the Tally backup utility. They contain compressed copies of your .900 files for data preservation and disaster recovery.
Extension – 900 and .tsf (Temporary Data Files)
Which type of database is stored in it: These are the Workhorse files of tally, storing core data of the company, including accounts, inventory, customers, suppliers, employees, purchases, sales, receipts, payments, group & ledgers (accounts & transactions), auditing and reporting
Extension – 500 and .tsm (Tally service manager)
Which type of database is stored in it: These files are crucial for managing access and user permissions like user administration and security control within your Tally software. These files are essential files and should not be modified or deleted manually.
Extension – .dat files
Which type of database is stored in it – These are temporary files used by Tally during various operations, such as: Calculations and data processing, Printing and report generation, backing up and restoring data.
.dat files are usually automatically deleted by Tally once their purpose is fulfilled. However, in case of unexpected crashes or errors, some temporary files might remain. You can safely delete these without affecting your main data in .900 files.
Extension – 400
Which type of database is stored in it: This format typically stores company data and configuration settings, allowing users to manage accounting records effectively.
Extension – 1800
Which type of database is stored in it – This tally extension is associated with Tally 1800, which is an earlier version of the Tally software aimed at small businesses for accounting and inventory management. This format contains similar functionalities to Tally 400 but may have different data structures and features tailored for older versions of the software.
Extension – .txt
Export & Open in which Software: notepad
Which type of database is stored in it: The most basic and universally recognized text file format. Stores simple text characters without formatting or embedded objects. Ideal for basic notes, scripts, code snippets, and data exchange between different software and platforms.
Extension – .zip
Export & Open in which Software: winzip
Which type of database is stored in it: They are archive files that compress and package multiple files or folders into a single, smaller file. When you create a ZIP file, a compression algorithm analyses the files inside and reduces their size by eliminating unnecessary whitespace and applying other optimization methods. It can significantly compress multiple files, making them easier to store, share and download. It is ideal for sending large amounts of data over the internet or on storage devices, as they take up less space.
Extension – .htm & .html
Export & Open in which Software: Browser
Which type of database is stored in it: The .htm (or .html) extension stands for HyperText Markup Language, which is the standard format used for creating and displaying web pages. HTML files contain structured text, multimedia links, and formatting tags that define the layout and content of a webpage. These files can include various elements like images, links, tables, lists, and forms, all designed to be displayed in a web browser. The .htm extension is a variation of .html, and both are used interchangeably. The difference in extensions arose historically due to older operating systems like MS-DOS, which had a 3-character limit for file extensions. Today, both are equally supported by web browsers and web development tools.
Extension – .bak
Export & Open in which Software: Microsoft Word, Excel (if configured to save backups), AutoCAD, SQL Server, Photoshop, Notepad++
Which type of database is stored in it: The .bak extension stands for “backup” and is used by various software applications to store backup copies of files. A .bak file is created automatically by a program to preserve the original version of a file before any changes are made, ensuring data recovery in case of corruption, accidental deletion, or errors during editing. The format of a .bak file is typically the same as the original file but with the extension changed to .bak.
Extension – .db
Export & Open in which Software: Microsoft Access, Oracle Berkeley DB, SQL Server Compact, and dBASE
Which type of database is stored in it: The .db extension is a generic database file format used by various software applications to store structured data in a systematic, organised manner. A .db file typically contains tables, records, fields, and indexes, and it can hold information for anything from a small program to large enterprise systems. This format is often used by database management systems (DBMS) to store data in relational databases, where data is linked through key relationships, or in other database types like key-value stores or document databases.
Extension – .dbs
Export & Open in which Software: SQLBase
Which type of database is stored in it: Files with the .dbs extension store structured database information, including tables, indexes, and queries, much like other relational database formats. These files are crucial for managing and maintaining the integrity of data within SQLBase databases. The .dbs format is lightweight, enabling efficient access to large amounts of data for enterprise-level applications.
Extension – .sql
Export & Open in which Software: MySQL, PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server, SQLite, Oracle Database, and MariaDB.
Which type of database is stored in it: The .sql extension refers to files containing Structured Query Language (SQL) code, used for managing and manipulating databases. These files typically store SQL commands, such as SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, and CREATE, which can define database structures, query data, modify records, or manage permissions. SQL files are primarily used to execute database queries or scripts in relational database management systems (RDBMS). These files are text-based and can be easily edited with any text editor, though they are generally executed within database applications.
Extension – .sqllite
Export & Open in which Software: DB Browser for SQLite, SQLiteStudio
Which type of database is stored in it: Files with the .sqlite extension store entire databases, including tables, indexes, and records, in a single, compact file. SQLite is designed to be efficient and minimal in its resource use, making it an ideal choice for local storage in desktop applications, mobile apps, web browsers (such as Google Chrome and Firefox), and other software that needs to manage structured data without requiring a separate database server. SQLite databases can handle a wide range of data types and offer full support for SQL queries, making them versatile for both simple and more complex data storage needs.
Extension – .ofx
Export & Open in which Software: Intuit QuickBooks, Microsoft Money, and Quicken
Which type of database is stored in it: The .ofx (Open Financial Exchange) extension is a standardised file format used for the exchange of financial data between financial institutions, accounting software, and other financial applications. Designed to facilitate the secure sharing of transaction details, account balances, and other financial information, OFX files are particularly useful for importing bank statements and transaction records into personal finance software or accounting programs. The format allows users to automate data entry and streamline the reconciliation process by providing structured, machine-readable information. OFX files can contain various types of financial data, including credit card transactions, bank account information, and investment details.