What are the best file formats for email attachments?
What are the best file formats for email attachments?
Blog Article
Emailing a file is mostly at the mercy of its format for issues of compatibility, accessibility, and even security. Different formats serve different uses; knowing them can improve how one communicates. The best file formats for attachments via email are highlighted below.
Most Applied File Formats
1. PDF-Portable Document Format
The most common attachments to emails are PDFs. They keep their format across devices and operating systems, and for that reason work nicely for sending documents-such as reports, resumes, and brochures. PDFs are also quite secure, since you can password-protect them, or limit edits.
2. DOCX (Microsoft Word Document)
The .docx file format is a generic word document file type that opens in Microsoft Word and with most word-processing Bulk Email Data programs. Such formats are best for collaborative projects in which the recipient will need to work with edits on the document. Just keep in mind that not everyone has access to Microsoft Word, so providing a PDF can be a good alternative.
3. JPEG/PNG (Image Files)
Image formats such as JPEG and PNG are the standard. JPEG is generally used with photography as it saves a huge amount of file space. Generally, with graphics and images that require transparency, PNGs are more common. Both can be opened on a variety of devices and are relatively easy to open on many devices.
Specialized File Formats
4. ZIP (Compressed File)
These are great to send when you need to send more than one file at a time. Compressing many files into a single ZIP archive makes the general size smaller, hence easier to send, especially with big projects. Most operating systems support opening ZIP files without additional software, making them accessible for all who receive them.
5. MP4 (Video File)
If your video needs to be forwarded, MP4 is the standard. It means high-quality video with relatively small file sizes suitable for email. That said, remember most email providers have a size cap on attachments; your video should be compressed appropriately.