Help With Media File Formats
The file formats below are found on Ready.gov and other Department of Homeland Security web sites. If you have difficulty with a format that is not discussed here, please
Contact Us.
Audio Visual Interleave (*.avi)
![AVI Icon](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20081107054820im_/http://www.ready.gov/america/_images/common/icons/48x24_avi.gif)
This file format is supported by the
Windows Media Player. Specific information may be found on the
Microsoft Multimedia File Format Support Page.
Encapsulated PostScript (*.eps)
![EPS Vector-based Document Icon](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20081107054820im_/http://www.ready.gov/america/_images/common/icons/48x24_eps.gif)
These files require an image manipulation or illustration program, such as Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator, to open them. Save the file to your computer and then open it using a software imaging program that supports this format.
Excel (*.xls)
Download the free Excel 2003 Viewer to open, view, and print Excel workbooks, even if you don't have Excel installed.
Moving Pictures Experts Group (*.mpg, *.mpeg)
![Mpeg File Icon](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20081107054820im_/http://www.ready.gov/america/_images/common/icons/48x24_mpg.gif)
This file format is supported by the
Windows Media Player. Specific information may be found on the
Microsoft Multimedia File Format Support Page.
MPEG 1 Audio Layer 3 (*.mp3)
![MP3 Sound File Icon](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20081107054820im_/http://www.ready.gov/america/_images/common/icons/48x24_mp3.gif)
This file format is supported by the
Windows Media Player among many others. Specific information may be found on the
Microsoft Multimedia File Format Support Page.
Portable Document Format (*.pdf)
See the PDF Help Page.
PowerPoint (*.ppt)
Download the free PowerPoint Viewer to view full-featured presentations created in PowerPoint 97 and later versions.
QuickTime (*.qt, *.mov)
![Quicktime Icon](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20081107054820im_/http://www.ready.gov/america/_images/common/icons/48x24_mov.gif)
Files with these extensions require the QuickTime player. You can download (free) and find guidance on how to install and use it from the
QuickTime Web site.
Real Media (*.ra, *.ram, *.rm)
![Real Media Icon](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20081107054820im_/http://www.ready.gov/america/_images/common/icons/48x24_ram.gif)
Files with these extensions require the RealPlayer. You can download (free) and find guidance on how to install and use it from the
RealPlayer Web site.
Shockwave Flash (*.swf, *flv)
![Flash File Icon](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20081107054820im_/http://www.ready.gov/america/_images/common/icons/48x24_swf.gif)
Files with this extension require the Flash Player. You can download (free) and find guidance on how to install and use it from the
Adobe Web site.
Windows Media (*.wmv, *.asx)
![Windows Media Icon](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20081107054820im_/http://www.ready.gov/america/_images/common/icons/48x24_wmv.gif)
Files with these extensions require the Windows Media Player. You can download (free) and find guidance on how to install and use it from the
Microsoft Web site.
Word (*.doc)
Download the free Word 2003 Viewer to view, print and copy Word documents, even if you don't have Word installed.