Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 4: How to change the file extension in the program
• Method 2 of 4: How to display file extensions in Windows
• Method 3 of 4: How to display file extensions in Windows 8
• Method 4 of 4: How to display file extensions in Mac OS X

The file extension tells the system about its format (type) and the program in which this file can be opened. The easiest way to change the file extension is to save it in a different format in the program. If you change the file extension in the file name, the format will not change, but the file will be incorrectly identified by the system. In Windows and Mac OS X, file extensions are often hidden. This article describes how to change the file extension (format) in almost any program, as well as how to display the file extension in Windows and Mac OS X.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: How to change the file extension in the program

1. 1 Open the file in its program.
2. 2 Open the File menu and choose Save As.
3. 3 Select a folder to save the file.
4. 4 Enter a name for the file.
5. 5 In the Save As window, find the File Type menu.
6. 6 Select a file format from the menu.
7. 7 Click "Save As". The original file will remain open in the program.
8. 8 Find the saved file in the specified folder.

Method 2 of 4: How to display file extensions in Windows

1. 1 Open Control Panel. Open the "Start" menu and select "Control Panel". If you are using Windows 8, click here.
2. 2 Click on Appearance and Personalization. You will find this option in the Control Panel.
   • In Windows 8, click Options.
3. 3 Click Folder Options.
4. 4 Click the View tab in the Folder Options window.
5. 5 Display file extensions. Scroll down the Advanced Options list to the Hide Extensions for Registered File Types option. Uncheck this option.
6. 6 Click Apply> OK.
7. 7 Open File Explorer - it will display the file extensions.

Method 3 of 4: How to display file extensions in Windows 8

1. 1 Open File Explorer.
2. 2 Click on the "View" tab.
3. 3 Check the box next to "File extensions" in the "Show / Hide" section.
4. 4 Open File Explorer - it will display the file extensions.

Method 4 of 4: How to display file extensions in Mac OS X

1. 1 Go to a Finder window or open a new Finder window. You can also click on the desktop to go to Finder.
2. 2 Click on the Finder menu. Then click on "Settings".
3. 3 Click "Advanced" in the settings window.
4. 4 Check the box next to "Show file extensions".
5. 5 Close the Finder Preferences window.
6. 6 Open a new Finder window. The file extensions will now be displayed.