PNG files were actually created as a workaround for GIF files, which were owned by a company that charged licensing fees for usage. Because lossy compression removes data from the original file, lines can show up poorly (such as logos and other graphics with lines) so it’s best to use JPEGs for files without those attributes. This is achieved by using what’s called lossy compression, a process that extracts some of a file’s data in order to decrease the storage demand. JPEGs are great for images because they can compress very large files down to a small size. JPG or JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) PDFs can even be used for images since they include automatic image compression. Certain programs use OCR technology to make the characters in the document searchable and editable. This file type is great for documents with text, forms, and images that contain words.

But when should you use one instead of the other? And, are the people you’re sending them to equipped to use those files? This article will guide you through which file formats you should be using for different types of files and how they impact the way you can use them.Ī PDF file is among the most commonly used file types. You’ve probably heard of the most common file types, such as PNGs, JPGs, and PDFs. Because so many types of documents exist, several kinds of files have also been created to store, process, and use them most effectively. Businesses use many different types of documents and document scanning can be done for just about all of them.

List two file formats for pictures