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CIT
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WebCT
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Info for Faculty/Designers
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Viewing File Extensions
Viewing File Extensions
File extensions are the three (and sometimes four) letter extensions placed at the end of a filename (and separated from the filename by a period) to indicate the type of file.
For example, FallReport.doc has a file extension (.doc) that indicates it is a Microsoft Word document, whereas FallReport.pdf has a file extension (.pdf) that indicates it has been saved in Adobe's Portable Document Format.
Some computer operating systems do not require file extensions, and some computer operating systems hide file extensions when listing files. However, verifying a documents file extension is important when placing a document on the internet for others to use.
To set up your computer to display filename extensions, click on your operating system below and then follow the instructions.
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Windows 98
- Click on Start
- Point to Settings and then click on Folder Options
- Select the View tab in the Folder Options window
- In the Advanced Settings list, UNCHECK Hide file extensions for known file types
- Click on OK
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Windows XP
- Click on Start
- Click on Control Panel (if you are using the Classic Start Menu then you must first point to Settings)
- Double-click on the Folder Options icon in Classic View (if you are in Category View and so cannot see the icon you must first click on Switch to Classic View)
- Select the View tab in the Folder Options window
- In the Advanced Settings list, UNCHECK Hide extensions for known file types
- Click on OK
- Close the Control Panel window
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Macintosh Operating Systems previous to Mac OS X 10.2 (Jaguar)
Macintosh Operating Systems previous to Mac OS X 10.2 (Jaguar) do not hide file extensions. If you have saved a document with a file extension, it should appear at the end of the filename.
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Mac OS X 10.2 (Jaguar)
- Switch to the Finder (click on your desktop or on the Finder icon in the dock to make sure the Finder is the active application).
 From the Finder menu at the top left, choose Preferences.
 Check Always show file extensions.
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Mac OS X 10.3 (Panther)
- Switch to the Finder (click on your desktop or on the Finder icon in the dock to make sure the Finder is the active application).
 From the Finder menu at the top left, choose Preferences.
 Under Advanced, check show all file extensions.
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Win 98
Mac OS 8,9,X 
Mac OS 10.2
Click on the Start button 
Double-click on the Folder Options icon 
Select the View tab in the Folder Options window 
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