Category: Formatting Tips & Tricks

When you have a busy workday, it’s great when you can find multiple ways to use your resources. Why should you waste time doing something twice, after all? 

This is especially true when you put together a PowerPoint presentation. Presentations can take a long time to prepare. In addition to the text points, you often find graphics and images that you’d love to use again.

If you’ve ever wished there were a way to save files from your PowerPoint and reuse them, then it’s your lucky day! All you have to do is use the convert file function.

Converting a PowerPoint image, slide, or even an entire presentation into an image file isn’t hard. You only have to know the steps to take and what you want to use the image for. Once you know that, it’s a piece of cake!

So if you’ve been wondering how to get multiple uses out of your PowerPoint, now’s your chance! Read on to learn how to convert PowerPoint components into image files!

Converting PowerPoint Objects

To convert an object into an image file, there’s a very straightforward process. This process allows you to convert a single object or even multiple objects within a slide to an image file.

First, select your object by clicking on it. Then, right-click on the object. You’ll see a menu appear, which should include the option “Save As Picture.” Select this option.

You will then have a pop-up box that offers you the chance to name your file and select the type of file you want. Most likely, the default option for this will be a Portable Network Graphic (PNG) file. 

If you wanted to save multiple objects as a single image, such as the title text box and the body textbox, the process is easy to adapt. This time, when you select your object, hold down the Ctrl key and select your other objects.

Once again, right-click, “Save as Picture,” and select the file type. Now, we mentioned before that the default would likely be a PNG file. There are a few benefits to PNGs you should know.

PNGs are an ideal file type for online usage. You typically use these for graphics, charts, and other purposes suited to websites. If you are hoping to post your new image online, a PNG file is an excellent choice.

Furthermore, this PNG is transparent. This means the background of your PowerPoint slide will not show up in the new image.

However, PNGs are not ideal for every situation. Sometimes, there are better choices when converting files into images. We’ll examine one of these next.

Convert to PDF File

What if you need to send your PowerPoint presentation or a portion of it to somebody, but they can’t open a PowerPoint? While this situation is somewhat unusual, it’s not unheard of.

In many cases, Google Drive is becoming a more widely used software. Some opt not to use Microsoft Office in favor of the free Google tools. Sometimes, by opening a PowerPoint in Google Slides, formats change.

To avoid this problem, you can convert to PDF file. PDF files are universal, able to be opened regardless of what software you use. Converting a presentation to PDF can be done in a few ways.

First, you can do it within the PowerPoint itself. Click on File, then select Export. From there, select Create PDF/XPS Document. Next, select Create PDF/XPS. When the dialog box comes up, choose where to save the file

Alternatively, you can use online tools to convert your PowerPoint to a PDF in seconds. All you have to do is upload the presentation and click the file type you’d like to save it as. 

Another advantage to saving a file as a PDF is that PDFs can easily convert to other file types.

You can use the same online tools mentioned above to convert PDF to a JPG file, for example. This would be particularly helpful if your PowerPoint contained photographs whose quality you wanted to preserve. 

Convert File to SVG

You may not have heard of an SVG file, but believe it or not, over 30% of all websites use them. If you’re unfamiliar with these, don’t worry. They’re pretty straightforward. 

SVG stands for Scalable Vector Graphic. SVGs come through Adobe, particularly in software like Illustrator. They’re widely popular among web and graphic designers for the following reason. 

Unlike JPGs, which are the more popular counterpart to an SVG, SVGs do not break images down into pixels. Instead, it uses data called vectors.

Vectors are mathematical data that tell a computer to create graphics based on magnitude and direction. This means they can render intensely vivid images like a photograph, but without it becoming pixelated. 

Moreover, SVG files are compact. They do not consume a lot of data, which makes them competitive with compressed JPGs.

Converting a PowerPoint has its advantages. SVGs are excellent for scaling upwards, allowing your slide to become, say, a poster. 

Thankfully, PowerPoint 365 makes it easy to save a slide as an SVG. All you have to do is select the slide from your side menu by clicking on it. Then, right-click and choose Save As. 

You will see a whole list of options; scroll down until you see Scalable Vector Graphics Format. Select that, and when the dialog box shows up, name your file and select where to save it. It’s that easy.

Save Time: Convert File 

Converting your files into multiple formats and file types can save you plenty of time in your workday. You can use these other versions for many purposes beyond what PowerPoint would allow by learning convert file functions.

The best part is, converting files is so straightforward! If you don’t believe us, try it out. You’ll find it takes no time and creates useful backups for you. 

While many of today’s most popular computer files were developed in recent years, there’s one tried-and-true format that has stood the test of time: CSV files.

If you’ve ever worked with this handy computer format, you’ve worked with a piece of history. The use of CSV actually predates the personal computers by over a decade: Fortran, IBM’s pioneering programming language, supported this format way back in the early 1970s!

Despite their age, CSV files continue to be a common file type today for a number of reasons. But if you don’t have much experience with them, or if you’re not sure how they work, you may not understand why they’ve stuck around for so long. Here’s a quick guide to CSV files and why they’re still so useful.

What Is a CSV File?

The term “CSV” stands for “comma-separated values,” though you might also hear variations like the more accurate “character-separated values” instead.

If you’ve ever opened a CSV file, you can tell that the moniker lives up to the format: CSV files are what’s known as “plain-text files,” or simple file types that have no or limited formatting. They house information separated by computer characters, usually commas. This information is designed to allow a computer to read the data in spreadsheet form.

CSV File Formatting

The data in a CSV file can range from simple to complex, depending on what the resulting table is designed to look like.

Often, the first line of a CSV file will contain the table’s column labels or titles. Once the titles have been established, each line underneath represents a row of data designed to fit into those titles.

Let’s say, as an example, that you have a table collecting a few pieces of information about your employees. The first line may label each column as the “Employee Name,” “Phone Number,” “ID,” and “Email Address.” The following lines would include the relevant data for each person, and the resulting product might look like this:

Employee Name, Phone Number, ID, Email Address
Robert Smith, 555-123-4567, 001, [email protected]
Emily Jones, 555-456-7890, 002, [email protected]
Sarah Brown, 555-012-3456, 003, [email protected]

If that sounds simple, that’s because it is! On a fundamental level, CSV files are to be quick and easy to access. They’re human-readable files, though they often look much better in spreadsheet form!

However, CSV files can also become complex as well, especially for spreadsheets that contain huge datasets. For larger amounts of data, cells that contain commas as part of the text, tables with line breaks, and other complications, CSV files can use other characters as separation. As a result, you may see quotation marks or semicolons as well.

Why Use a CSV File

CSV files have a simplicity that’s easy to overlook, especially when compared to more robust programs. However, these files offer a number of important benefits that make them helpful in everyday settings.

First, they work with a wide range of programs, which we’ll discuss in more detail below. However, the gist of this benefit is that you can send a CSV file to virtually anyone, and they’ll be able to access it—regardless of whether they’re on a Mac or PC. This is why you’ll find that many software programs use CSV files as their main form of output for data-based reports.

Second, they’re easy to read and edit. As human-readable files, it’s not hard to understand what’s going on in the plain-text version of a CSV file. You can change the data with ease, unlike more static file types like PDFs.

How to Open and Edit a CSV File

Because a CSV file is a plain-text file, you can open it with a wide spectrum of programs.

Almost any program that has a text editor can read a CSV file to read the plain-text data. This means you can use programs like Microsoft Word or Notepad, though the latter may have difficulty opening larger CSV files. More sophisticated programs like Notepad++ are often a better choice.

Of course, as mentioned above, CSV files are designed to appear in spreadsheet form. As a result, you may want to try opening your file with common spreadsheet-based programs like Microsoft Excel, OpenOffice Calc, or Google Sheets. These programs sort the CSV file’s data into columns, making it easier to read.

How to Convert a CSV File

What happens when you have a CSV file that you want to convert into a spreadsheet for simplicity’s sake? Or when you have a spreadsheet you want to simplify and send to someone as a CSV file?

To change the format type, all you need to do is check out our free file conversion tool. Whether you want to convert a CSV file to an XLS, XLSX, PDF, or ODS file—or vice versa—we’ve got you covered. The process is simple, and you’ll have your new file in seconds to minutes, depending on the file size.

Harness the Power of the Humble CSV

Given the benefits above, it’s not hard to see why the humble CSV has been popular for so long. Though its design is minimalistic, that simplicity allows us to share and edit CSV files with ease across programs and devices. The next time you’re working with data, consider seeing how to make a CSV work for you!

To learn more about the computer programs you use every day, check out the other helpful guides on our blog. Don’t forget to also access our conversion tool for your file conversion needs!

Tumblr has been through an interesting journey over the past several years. Once the only haven for many LGBT and other disenfranchised youth, the once billion-dollar platform has fallen through several corporate overlords and into the hands of WordPress for a paltry three million dollars. However, despite its many scandals and owners, Tumblr remains an incredibly popular website and a great choice for hosting images.

Whether you post pictures of product or post pictures as your product, you need to know how to format Tumblr images. Here are seven things you need to know to get the best pictures on your Tumblr.

1. Don’t Oversize Your Profile Pics

No matter what social media platform you use, one constant remains. Your profile picture or avatar is one of the smallest pictures you can use on the website. As such, you don’t want to make it too big.

Some websites may re-scale your images, including profile pics, to the proper size. However, the basic profile picture dimensions on Tumblr are 128×128 pixels. If you scale your image according to these numbers, you can ensure that it won’t get stretched, squashed, or otherwise altered in the upload process.

2. No One Wants a Badly Sized Banner

Speaking of images that may get stretched, squashed, or cropped, make sure you watch the size of your banner. Your banner is the ‘hero image’, or the main attention grabber when people visit your blog. You don’t want it to look strange or detract from your posts.

Whether you use a PNG or JPG file, you should size your Tumblr header images at 3000×1055 pixels for ideal desktop resolution. If you’d rather optimize for mobile, opt for 640×360 pixels instead.

3. 540 Is the Magic Number

If you want beautiful Tumblr images to decorate your feed or show properly in your theme, 540 is your magic number. 540 pixels is the maximum width that a Tumblr post will display on any device. Anything larger than that, and you can count on it being resized, squashed, stretched, or cropped.

So, if you want to get the best image quality for your Tumblr blog, either max your image width at 540 pixels or scale it up in multiples of 540.

4. Mind Your File Size

With so many full HD, 4K, and high-end monitors entering the field, it’s understandable to want the highest possible image resolution for what you post. However, you must be careful of your file size. Each type of Tumblr image you can upload has a different maximum file size you can use. For example:

• A picture going on your feed maxes out at twenty megabytes
• If you opt for an animated GIF, your feed maxes out at three megabytes
• For a profile picture, your file size maxes at twenty megabytes
• The twenty-megabyte limit applies to banner/header images as well

If you try to upload above the maximum file size, you’ll get an error message. So, be sure you’ve compressed your files enough to show them on Tumblr. You can always offer a link to the uncompressed version later if you feel it’s affected the quality too much.

5. Check File Type Compatibility

Not only should you watch what size your Tumblr images reach, but you should make sure they’re compatible with the website, to begin with. Vector images, or scalable vector graphics (SVGs), might look clean and professional at any size, but they are not supported by Tumblr. If you use them, you’ll need to convert them to another file type.

The list of image file types supported by Tumblr includes:

• JPG or JPEG, once the most common picture file type
• PNG, the most commonly used and arguably highest quality file type
• GIF, as in the ubiquitous reaction GIFs you’ll find everywhere on the site

Some sources state that BMP, or bitmap, files are supported as well, but sources that corroborate this are limited.

6. What’s Your Maximum High Definition?

Again, with many computer monitors stepping into 4K, you might think it’s better to upscale your image into 4K yourself. As of now, you can upload images up to 2048×3072 pixels, which falls into the range of 2K resolution. However, the website recommends maxing your high-definition image’s size at 1280×1920 for the most beautiful Tumblr images.

No matter what, your high-definition image will appear on someone’s dash at 540 pixels across until they click on it to expand it to its full size.

7. Recall Your Ratios

Whatever size you want your image to be, you should always recall your ideal ratios, and keep those in mind when uploading them to the web. Common image ratios include:

1:1 Aspect Ratio

One-to-one aspect ratio most often gets called the profile picture resolution. The reason for this is that the width and height of the picture in question are the same, like in a profile picture. Remember, to get this resolution on your feed, you’ll want to scale your image to 540×540.

2:3 Aspect Ratio

The 2:3 aspect ratio gets referred to as the portrait resolution. This name likely comes due to an image’s resemblance to a standard portrait hanging on a wall. If you want to get optimal portrait resolution on your dash, you’ll want to use 540×810 pixel images.

16:9 Aspect Ratio

The most common aspect ratio you’ll see for film and computer images today is 16:9, or the ‘landscape’ aspect ratio. If you want this ratio in your feed, you’ll need to scale your images to 540×304 pixels for the best results.

Let’s Review

Formatting Tumblr images can be a difficult task. However, if you scale most of your images to 540 pixels in width, keep your ratios and file sizes in mind, and use appropriate file types, you can turn any Tumblr blog into a gallery of gorgeous images. That will let you stand out amidst the host of gorgeous imagery on this beleaguered, beloved website.

If you’ve got images or documents that you want to post to your Tumblr, but your files aren’t supported, there’s no need to fret. Visit our website today, and you can convert your files for free!

Looking to convert your PDF to a JPG file?

Whether it’s for advertising or other office concerns, file conversions are necessary. It matters not if it’s to convert PDF to Word file or convert PDF to JPG file. If you’re looking to convert file types, you have lots of options.

Read the rest of our guide to learn how to convert PDFs to JPG images.

1. Use Microsoft Word

If you’re a Windows user, MS Word is a helpful application for word-processing. It has an easy-to-understand interface with various helpful features. However, did you know that it can convert PDF to JPG?

It’s surprising, but it’s easy to understand. To start, right-click on your desired PDF file to open it using MS Word. After opening, go to the File menu and click on the “Save As” option.

Once the window appears, put your preferred file name and change the output format to JPG. Pick your preferred location and click the Save button.

2. Use Adobe Acrobat

Converting PDF to JPG using the Acrobat application is better. It enables you to convert entire PDF documents, unlike some converters that only allow a page at a time. Like MS Word, the Acrobat interface is clean, easy to use, and simple.

To start, use Acrobat DC to open your PDF file. Look for the toolbar located on the right-hand side of the interface. From these options, select Export PDF since it opens the Export PDF window.

There, you can select the Image option. Under that, pick JPEG. If you want to change some attributes like file, color, and conversions, click on the Settings icon next to it and press OK once you finish.

Before clicking the Export button, uncheck the “Export all images” option if it’s checked. A “Save As” dialog box will appear after pressing the button. Look for your desired location, type your preferred file name, and press “Save.”

Adobe Acrobat Online Services

If you don’t want to install Adobe Acrobat, it has a web browser version offering various services. It includes converting PDF files to JPG. If you want, you can also pick PNG or TIFF file formats.

To start, go to the Adobe website. Once you’re on the right page, click the “Select a file” button near the top. The web service also allows you to drag and drop your file into the drop area.

A dialog box will open where you can select your PDF file. Once you click the “Open” button, it will display your file name. Click the dropdown menu below it to select your desired image type.

As said above, the Adobe Acrobat online service allows you to choose between JPG, PNG, and TIFF. Click the blue “Convert to JPG” button to proceed. It will take a few seconds for the conversion process to conclude.

Once it’s done, you’ll see a preview of your converted file. Press the blue Download button to save your image. Take note; Acrobat will store your file in a ZIP file, requiring you to extract it afterward.

3. Use Preview

Are you a Mac user? If so, you have a built-in file converter. At first glance, your Preview app looks like a simple file viewer.

However, Preview has various features that make it handy. One of its main functions is exporting a file preview into other file formats. It means you can convert a file to SVG, for example.

When used to convert PDF files to JPG, you can only convert one page every time. Open your PDF file using this application and pick your desired page. Once found, go to the File menu and click Export.

A dialog box will appear. Here, select JPEG under the Format field. Adjust the Quality and Resolution as necessary. Choose the folder, set the file name, and hit the Save button once finished.

4. Use OffDrive to Convert File Types

Like Adobe’s online service, our converter is accessible as long as you have a web browser and WiFi. We have an extensive list of file type conversions, allowing you to convert mod files and the like. In this guide, we’ll show you how to convert a PDF file to JPG.

First, go to our OffDrive homepage to access our converters. You can either go to the “Convert PDF to Images” section or use our navigation bar. Either way, select the PDF to JPG option and click on it.

This will take you to the conversion page. Press the “Browse…” button to open a dialog box. Select your desired PDF file and click the “Open” button to proceed.

After that, you’ll see your PDF file name displayed on the field beside the button. Complete the simple CAPTCHA test to let us know you aren’t a bot. Doing so will make the green “Convert PDF to JPG” button appear.

After pressing the button, the file conversion will commence. Wait for a few seconds until you receive the success notification. Click on the “Download Now” button to save your JPG image within a ZIP file.

JPG vs. PNG: When to Use the Right File Format

Now you know how to convert PDF to JPG. However, this isn’t the only file type for images. Another popular file format is Portable Network Graphic (PNG).

JPG and PNG have differences that make them perfect for certain situations. For example, if you want a small image file size, JPGs are the best. The only caveat is that you’re trading some of the image quality.

As for PNG, it won’t lose quality, but its file size is much bigger than JPGs. For example, a 2MB PNG file might only be 500KB as a JPG.

Convert More Files With OffDrive Today

These are some methods of converting your PDF files to JPG images. It’s simple, so it won’t be a problem even when you have little technical expertise.

Are you looking for a better image format? If so, check our article about SVG. It might interest you to convert file types.

Those short, looping video clips known as GIFs (pronounced “jif”) have taken the internet by storm.

People use them in messages or comments, and even brands are starting to use them on social media for advertising purposes. Sharing GIFs has turned into its own communication medium.

GIF is an acronym for graphic interchange format and they were first developed about three decades ago. 

Are you wondering where to find GIFs and how you can make some of your own. We’ve compiled our nine favorite GIF websites in this article.

Keep reading below to learn how to use GIFs, ways to make new ones for yourself, and our list of the best places to find them. 

Tips for Using GIF Websites

Are you a business looking to make a bigger impact on potential customers? Or do you enjoy sharing pop culture references with your friends? Then you need to start using GIFs.

These file formats have grown popular because one funny or interesting clip conveys more information than a lengthy written response. And they’re now available to easily share in most social media apps. 

You can start using GIFS by:

1. Finding a GIF search function in places like Twitter or Facebook Messenger
2. Copy and paste the link of a GIF from free GIF websites like GIPHY or Tenor
3. Use the Google Keyboard for Apple or Android products

Now, what if you want to make your own GIF? No problem! 

The traditional way of making a GIF is by using Photoshop, but you probably don’t have that program unless you’re a graphic designer.

Otherwise, use a website that helps you convert a short video clip or a string of pictures into a GIF. Many of our favorite sites listed below will allow you to do this. 

There are other applications you can download through the App Store or Google Play that will do it for you as well. 

Don’t forget that you have the ability to convert GIF to MP4 if you need it for a presentation or it doesn’t open on a certain kind of device. You can also convert a GIF to a JPG, or vice-versa. 

So, without further ado, let’s take a look at our nine favorite GIF websites.

1. GIPHY: The Best GIF Website

Have you ever heard of GIPHY? It’s the largest and most visited GIPHY website. This site was acquired by Facebook in 2020 for $400 million and is the basis for all of the GIFs you use on Facebook or Messenger. 

GIPHY is also an easy and effective GIF maker website. 

2. Borrow a Tumblr GIF 

In the early days, GIFs were very popular on the microblogging site Tumblr. Users frequently embedded GIFS to share with friends and now the platform supports GIFs from a variety of other pages (many of them listed here).

One warning: it was easy to encounter NSFW content (including GIFs) on Tumblr but a few years ago they tightened their community standards.  

3. Visit Imgflip 

You can use the Imgflip service to search for a particular GIF or meme. Or you can start either one from scratch. Imgflip also keeps track of how much content each of its users creates. A leaderboard shows users with the most points. 

4. Check Out Gfycat

Gfycat was created for GIFs. More specifically, the developers started this GIF website to improve the quality of GIFs. We’ve all seen GIFs that appear low quality or won’t open on certain sites. Their files run faster, clearer, and open on more platforms. 

5. Explore Imgur

Imgur has a closer relationship with Reddit, which we’ll describe below. You can access Imgur without Reddit. Visitors to the site can find the most viral GIFs or hottest memes based on engagement.

Like other services, Imgur users can earn points for posting and be listed as the highest overall user. 

6. Finding GIFS on Reddit

While Reddit was originally designed for sharing and commenting on articles, it became a popular spot to share GIFs. Reddit offers communities for all interests: gaming, life tips, news, sports, television shows, and more. 

Visitors can easily right-click and save GIFs or memes. But, many of these GIFs are in a Reddit video format rather than a traditional GIF. You can always convert them later. 

7. Search Reaction GIFs

Reaction GIFs is a great place to go if you want to react to a post or comment, but can’t think of the exact words. Instead, you can find the perfect GIF to capture what you’re trying to say. 

Visitors can search by how they’re feeling (angry, excited, or sad) and how they want to answer (yes, undecided, and no). 

8. The Categories of GIFbin

Besides having a reputation for having hilarious GIFs, GIFbin has dozens of categories to search within. From accidents and cats to slow-motion and tricks, you can browse different categories based on how frequently they’re used.  

GIFbin also has a “random” button where you can get any popular GIF to use in a message. The results are funny and surprising. 

9. Find the Perfect GIF on Tenor

Tenor is the main competitor of GIPHY. The Tenor GIF Keyboard is available on both Apple and Android platforms. With this service, you can search for the perfect GIF or create your own.  

Everything syncs to your GIF Keyboard so you can use GIFs or stickers anywhere. Like GIPHY, it can also be used with Facebook programs such as Messenger or WhatsApp. Tenor has millions of GIFs in its library and it regularly adds new ones to stay up-to-date with the latest trends. 

Create Your Own GIFs

After reading this article you should have an idea of what GIF websites offer the sort of content you’re looking for. And if you love GIFs as much as we do, you should contribute to this new art form by creating your own! 

Looking for more information about how to convert file formats or manage some of the latest software? Offdrive is a site full of how-to articles that can help you out.

Read our blog to learn more about never having trouble opening a file again. 

Are you looking to create an eBook to share your knowledge on a subject? Do you feel that your readers would benefit from reading it and downloading it a certain way? If so, then you need to learn all that you can about the different eBook formats.

Doing so can help you ensure that your finding the perfect fit for your text. The different formats are used to help with readability, as well as the format’s ability to keep up with the high-end designs that you use in your eBook.

See below for an in-depth guide on the different eBook formats that you can use to condense your eBook correctly.

PDF

Okay, okay. We know this isn’t technically an eBook format. However, it’s one of the most efficient formats you can use for digital files. Naturally, it’s going to make our list!

It makes for an incredible reading experience thanks to its easy-to-use interface and ability to keep up with high-quality graphics. They keep the design of your book from page to page. 

In other words, the way that you typed it and designed it is exactly the way it will appear to your readers. That can’t be said for some of the other eBook formats on this list.

That was the main purpose of PDFs back when Adobe Acrobat first invented them: to make a reliable way to present documents as you intended them to.

The only drawback with PDFs is that they require your readers to have a capable PDF reader on their device. The good news is that PDF readers are free and easy to install, so it shouldn’t pose as too much of a setback.

There are ways that you can convert PDFs to EPS files online using an easy-to-use file converter. Be sure to look it up!

EPUB

EPUB stands for “electronic publication”, and is the most universal eBook format. It is supported by almost any device, meaning that your readers can enjoy your book from such devices as:

• eReaders
• Tablets
• Smartphones
• Desktops
• Laptops

EPUB can come in two different file types: reflowable and fixed layout. See below for a brief description of each.

• Reflowable EPUB Files– The most common eBook format of them all. Its design allows the text and graphics in your book to fit the screen of whatever device your reader is using. If your eBook is more focused on text, then we advise that you use a reflowable EPUB file.
• Fixed Layout EPUB Files– As the name would imply, these EPUB files keep the layout exactly where it is intended. That includes all titles, images, and text that you have in your eBook. The cool thing about fixed layout EPUB files is that they can be read aloud, which is a great way to keep your readers engaged, especially your auditory learners.

Regardless of which one you choose, EPUB files are protected by Digital Rights Management (DRM) and also contain very strong copy protection. Their flexibility and security alone are worth your consideration.

Plain Text Format

As you might expect, given the name, plain text formatting is the most straightforward eBook file format there is. Its simplistic design makes it able to be read by any platform and converted on any text processor.

It’s a reliable way to convert into other formats as you or your readers choose. Plain text is supported for almost all devices, meaning your readers can view your eBook from their smartphones, tablets, or computers without experiencing a setback.

The plain text file (.txt) also can resize your sentences to ensure each page fits the screen that your reader is using. Whether it’s a smartphone or a 20-inch monitor, the plain text file will help your book adapt nicely.

The primary drawback of plain text files is that they lack the creative features that most frequent eBook readers have come to expect. For example, you will not be able to click to a certain chapter from the table of contents.

AZW 

Back when the OG Kindle was created, Amazon originally used what was referred to as a Mobipocket eBook file (MOBI, for short). However, back in 2011, MOBI files were discontinued and replaced by what is now known as AZW files.

These files have a Digital Rights Management protection that only allows them to be read on Kindles or a device that has a Kindle app on it. If you’re thinking of self-publishing through Amazon, you’ll likely be using an AZW file format.

While the Amazon-only protection might sound like a liability at first, it can actually be considered a strength. Since your eBook will only be readable in a Kindle format, it can collaborate with features such as bookmarking, highlighting, and note-taking at no extra charge to you.

Granted, these days the newer Kindle eReaders, such as the Kindle Fire, use AZW3 file formats. The main difference is that these files contain support for both HTML and CSS. This makes the AZW3 files able to collaborate with the different styles, layouts, graphics, and text fonts that you prefer to use.

Consider These Different eBook Formats for Your Book

Now that you have seen an in-depth guide on the different eBook formats that you have available to you, be sure to use it to your advantage.

Be sure to read this article for more information on how to get started with scalable vector graphics (SVG).

You have a story to tell. You have information and expertise to relay. Use this information to find the best file format to support your eBook!

Ever notice how there are several common file types for text documents, such as plaint text, Word, and PDF? Well, the same thing holds true for audio files as well. This diversity of audio file formats proves a good news/bad news situation for the audiophile.

Why?

One type of audio file might provide higher audio quality, while another might offer better space conservation on your computer. Knowing the ins and outs of a given audio file format can help you make the best choices in terms of quality and space usage on your devices.

If you want to take things to the next level in your audiophile life, keep reading for a breakdown of popular audio files.

MP3 Audio File Format

When it comes to popular audio file formats, MP3 stands as the most popular format for music files at least.

One of the reasons for the popularity of the MP3 format is its broad compatibility. Virtually any computer-based music player or portable digital player can play the files. That makes it easy for people to share files with friends, assuming the files don’t include digital rights management.

MP3 files are also what’s known as lossy compressed audio files. That means the compression process removes data from the original file to reduce the overall size of the file. This size reduction typically means a loss in audio quality as well.

Modern file compression systems typically allow the user to select a bitrate for the file. The higher the bitrate, the higher the overall quality. That means you can accept a larger file size in exchange for better quality audio.

WAV

Another common audio file format, WAV audio files are uncompressed files. In short, you get all the data from the recording. That typically means you get an extremely high level of audio quality. At least, you do if the recording took place with professional microphones and in a good recording environment.

The tradeoff here is file size. A WAV file can eat up as much as ten times the space as an MP3. So, let’s say you pop a CD into your computer and rip an MP3 copy of a song that’s 5 megabytes. If you rip the exact same song as a WAV file, it could eat up as much as 50 megabytes of space.

The vast storage capacity of many modern computers — often measures in terabytes — makes this less of a concern. An expansive audio library could still take up a prohibitive amount of space in the WAV format.

M4A/M4B

The M4A audio file format is another format that employs lossy compression. The original goal was for it to replace the widely popular MP3 since it offers superior sound quality at similar bitrates. This goal never manifested, likely due to the widespread compatibility and popularity of the MP3 format.

Apple uses the M4A format as the native format for it’s iTunes program, though Apple devices and audio programs will recognize MP3 as well. M4A is also a popular file format for podcasts.

The other main advantage of M4A files is that they are generally smaller than comparable MP3 files.

Apple also employs the closely related M4B format for audiobooks due to some extra features, such as bookmarking.

WMA

The Windows Media Audio file format was originally a lossy compression format, although never versions offer lossless compression as well. While this format always plays on Windows computers, it doesn’t always play on systems using other operating systems.

This lack of compatibility is likely the reason why the format never saw widespread use beyond the world of windows devices. Some media players support the format, such as iTunes, and some do not.

In most cases, converting the file into a format like MP3 will make the file more useful for a dedicated audiophile. It’ll let you pick the device you want to play the file on, instead of getting stuck with a small handful of compatible devices.

Converting Files

For many audiophiles, converting files is one of their big concerns. After all, a file you can’t play isn’t of much value regardless of how great the sound quality may prove. In the early days, audiophiles needed pretty sophisticated tech skills and a lot of software to convert their own files.

These days, you simply go online and search for a file conversion site. On most of the sites, you identify the type of file you want to convert and the file type you want back. You upload the original file and the site does all the work for you.

Once the site covers the file, you download the new file and listen. The tradeoff here is that most sites don’t let you choose the bitrate.

Let’s say you want to convert an M4A file into an MP3. The site will select the bitrate for the MP3, which may end up at 128kbps or 256kbps. You accept this dice roll as the price for getting the file in a format you can actually play.

Audio Files and Audiophiles

For the true audiophile, the format of an audio file matters. You want the maximum possible quality for the space consumed paired up with maximum compatibility. For those purposes, the MP3 is likely still your best bet if you can get a higher bitrate.

If you don’t care about the space consumed, then WAV files offer you the best quality. You don’t lose any of the original data the way you do with lossy compression formats.

If you don’t mind constricting compatibility, the M4A format gives you higher quality at a reasonable file size. If all else fails, you can always convert between file types.

Curious about converting other kinds of file types? Check out our blog for more file conversion posts.

Let’s face it, GIF files have unintentionally shaped the 2010s. GIF files are used in more than 23% of websites worldwide — for now.

However, that might not be the case for long. A string of competitors and rivals have come up boasting superiority in almost every category.

These days, the mention of GIF doesn’t only bring to mind emoticons, memes, and laughs. Even the pronunciation of the file format is enough to spark geekdom protest.

So should you start converting from GIF files to other formats? Keep reading to find out!

The Advantages of Using GIF files

The advantages of GIF were many in the early 1990s, especially at the start of the internet as we knew it then.

GIFs were relatively small, compared to BMP or Microsoft Bitmap files. This was due to a revolutionary new technology called the LZW algorithm. This algorithm was a compression algorithm developed by Unisys and patented in several countries around the world.

CompuServe was the company that decided to take up the LZW algorithm and do something with image formats. They created the GIF on June 15, 1987.

The GIF had a lot of things to brag about, such as:

• Lossless saving formats
• Lossy compression
• Dithering
• 256 color depth
• Animation

Later, even more features were added, like binary transparency, infinite looping, and a specified number of loops.

This combination of features allowed for GIF to spread as a use of clipart and small animations on websites until the 2000s. After the patent in the USA expired in 2003 and the rest of the world in 2004, its use exploded commercially.

Even news sites got in on the action with things like cinemagraphs and GIF art as article headers.

The use of GIF stickers and memes on Twitter and Instagram pushed its use-case long beyond its expiration date.

The Disadvantages of Using GIF files

This discussion about patents and use-case brings us to the disadvantages. The use of licensed information for memes and commercial use brings GIF into international copyright focus.

The Olympic Committee and Disney both have tried with varying levels of success to halt, contain, or push back use of their products and broadcasts in viral social media content.

Even in 1999 because of the patent infringement cases against developers and corporations, there was a protest against using LZW algorithms.

Legal and social issues aside, there are many disadvantages for using GIF files today.

• Large size for animated files
• Low resolution for images
• Not photographically preferable
• Limited color palette
• Unpredictable loading times
• Non-editable after creation
• Long load times for webpages
• Huge file size and low resolution compared to rivals

To be fair, in the past there was a need for several different technologies to take up the torch for GIF files.

JPEG could act as a good photographic medium at small file size, but lacked transparency. It’s portable and was the king of the internet until PNG came along to dethrone it in a search for high-resolution graphics.

PNG could show transparency, have crisp lossless image fidelity, and also compressed 8-bit graphics like the GIF file type. What it lacked were animation capabilities. Though, we’ll get to that later.

SVG could be animated, but it was limited to more-or-less geometric shapes and difficult-to-use code. Flash animations worked for a little while, too on a vector image basis. Since SVG is vector-based and not raster-based, it didn’t work well as a good medium of image exchange.

A Whole New World: Moving Past the GIF

Today, though we have a need for high-resolution graphics and images, with transparency, and 4k size and short loading times. In the past, this was impossible. GIF, JPEG, and other file formats got their starts in the 1970s with algorithms that didn’t get to debut until at least 10 or even 20 years later.

Now, though, technology explodes onto the scene in a matter of a few years from conception to deployment.

Because of that, there’s a new sheriff in town. Rather, there are several.

There are several new file types with their own extensions. These are:

• GIFV
• MP4
• WebM
• WebP
• APNG

These five filetypes cover just about everything a GIF would do and more. Some are made as a direct replacement of GIF files while others just happen to do some of the features we enjoy quite well.

MP4, GIFV, and WebM are compressed video or image file formats. A GIFV is meant as a replacement for GIF on sites like Imgur where a GIF would take up massive server size and load to run. It runs within an HTML5 element much like an MP4.

WebM is a Google project to make load times better and offer all the possibilities of MP4 and other video compression in a lossless or lossy format at small file size.

WebP is for pictures rendering. It has transparency, compression, lossy and lossless formats, and animation at larger resolutions, more colors, and smaller file size.

APNG, like the PNG, was made to replace GIF. Finally, though, the PNG has extended to include animations. APNG stands for Animated Portable Network Graphics, and is made specifically to animate at better color depth, frame rendering, resolution, and file size constraints than GIF.

Solved: No More GIF Problems

It’s actually amazing that there is a computer technology that is still being used more than 30 years after its implementation. Not even HTML and JPEG can have the distinction of being relatively unchanged during their lifetime of use.

Offdrive is the file conversion expert with several file conversion server-side applications you need. In order to bring your GIF files new life, you can choose from WebP, MP4, and more.

Check out what file conversion methods work best for your GIF file if it’s a logo, a meme, or something else. Our conversions will always be free. We use our powerful servers, rather than your phone or computer, to process the file conversion

Try it out today!

Are you sure you are saving your image files in the right format?

There are many different file formats when it comes to saving images, all with their pros and cons. The two you will most likely find are JPEG and PNG. But do you know when to use each image file type?

Read on for our guide comparing JPEG vs PNG to find the best image file for your needs.

What is a JPEG?

A JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) is the most popular form for images. When it saves, it compresses the data to make the image smaller

This is why phone cameras, digital cameras, and DSLRs offer it as one of their output formats. You can store more pictures on the memory card this way.

The advantage of JPEGs is it’s able to display over 16 million colors and can store 24 bits per pixel! This means you can use high-resolution pictures but in a smaller file size.

This makes downloads and transfers quicker. For this reason, JPG/JPEG might be the best image format for web usage. But like everything, there is a cost.

For JPEG, the bonus of superior compression comes in the form of a loss in image quality. Each time you save or edit the JPEG, it loses a little more quality.

JPG vs JPEG

When you view the formats of images you’ve downloaded, you might notice a mix of JPEG and JPG. You might have wondered at some point if there is a difference. In short, there isn’t any.

JPG only exists due to the fact that older versions of Windows had a max-limit of 3 letters for file formats. Linux and Mac didn’t have this limit.

So, for those operating systems they used the .jpeg extension. While Windows used .jpg so that it didn’t exceed the 3-letter limit put in place. This is the only difference between a JPG and JPEG file.

What is a PNG?

PNG (Portable Network Graphics) is a format that offers compression without quality loss. It can cope with varied background transparency, and you can adjust brightness.

You can also add effects to it. Like JPEG, it can hold 24 bits per pixel, and display an RGB color palette. For this reason, it’s considered the best option if you’re editing if you don’t have access to TIFF or RAW.

With a PNG file, even after you’ve edited the image you can resave an action in the highest quality. But the cost of keeping the high quality of the image comes at the price of a much larger file size.

Why Use Different Formats?

The reason is simple: compression of the images.

It’s all about lowering the size of the file without losing too much image quality. The general rule is the stronger the compression, the smaller the file size, and the lower the quality.

Getting image compression right isn’t about going too far one way or another. It’s about finding the perfect compromise between quality and size to meet your needs.

Think of looking at a high-resolution image on your computer. You’ve already got the file and it’s not compressed. Because it’s saved to your computer, you can open it and look at it when you want. It’ll open as soon as you click it.

If you use this same file on a website though, when the webpage downloads, so does the image. Not even the fastest connections can keep up with the demand or large file sizes. It can take several seconds to load up, or fail to load at all.

When it comes to website loading, speed is king. You don’t have the extra seconds to spare as people won’t wait for your image to load. If it takes longer than 3 seconds to load, 40% of users will click off your website.

This is where the beauty of image compression comes in. When you find the right fit for your needs, you don’t have to sacrifice too much quality. But, your webpages will thank you for it with great loading speeds.

A Rule to Remember

If you hang on to only one thing, it should be the following:

JPEG should be the file format you pick for photographs. If you’re saving graphics or screenshots, then choose PNG.

The general rule is if the image has a lot of gradients, textures, and colors, JPEG is the way to go. Anything with sharp lines, text, flat colors, then PNG will perform better.

Work Out When to Pick JPEG vs PNG

So, now you know the difference how do you decide between JPEG vs PNG? Should you use only one of them or a mixture of both? Here are the rules for each of the formats to help answer this.

Choose JPEG

JPEG will be perfect for the following applications.

Photo Albums

If you’re sharing a bulk batch of photos (like in a photo album) JPEG is the best bet. Due to the smaller size and faster loading times, you’ll get a smoother, quicker transfer. You also get a consistent, even finish to the photos themselves.

Opaque Images

JPEG doesn’t allow transparency as PNG does. If you don’t need transparency on an image, it’s a safe option to go with a JPEG file format.

Complex Images

In comparison to PNG, there will be some quality loss on a JPEG image. But, for complex images (like photos), you’re unlikely to notice it. So, it’s a great idea to enjoy the benefit of a smaller file size, without compromising on aesthetic appeal.

Choose PNG

Here are the situations where your best bet will be to choose a PNG file format.

Transparent Images

Transparency is where you want an image to blend into the page you’re using it on. In this situation, you don’t have the hard edges of an opaque background. As JPEG doesn’t allow for it, you want to go with PNG which does.

Images Using Hard Lines

When you lose image quality, pixilation will be noticeable on images that use hard lines. Think of things like logos and text. It’s better to stick with PNG for the best results on these images.

Portfolios

Compared with JPEG, PNG will give you the best image quality. If you want your images to be the best they can to impress, this is the way to go. Think of online portfolios where you’re showcasing your work. In these cases, the bigger file size will be worth the boost in the quality of your images.

Don’t Stress Over JPEG vs PNG

So there you have it! Now you know the breakdown between JPEG vs PNG you’re sure to get the right format for your needs.
Some people will prefer to work with only one of these image formats. They want to keep it streamlined, with quality staying roughly the same across the board.

The best approach though would be to approach each situation case-by-case if you can. You want to always go with the right file format for the image and its intended use. This is how you’ll get the best results.

If you’re looking to convert your files online, check us out now. At Offdrive, we’ve got the tools for all your file conversion needs.

It’s incredible to imagine in a world like ours, but 7% of websites use no images at all.

What is the undisputed king of image file format on the web today? By almost 5.5% the winner is PNG. PNG, JPEG, GIF — what are these odd acronyms all about?

There is a dizzying array of acronyms to remember for the common image file formats. Don’t worry though, we’re going to help you keep straight with a guide to common image file formats. You’ll be an expert on the types of image files, including PNG, in no time.

Keep reading to find out!

Types of Image Files: Vector or Raster?

There are two types of image file categories to cover before we talk image file formats. Those two categories are:

• Raster
• Vector

Raster image types generally map pixels individually by coordinate and color. If you have an 800 pixel by 600 pixel image and make it “full HD” at 1920×1080 pixels you’ve increased the size of the image by 432%.

That increase in size means that it’s also 4 times lower in resolution. So low that text is probably not readable at all. Blurry objects in an image will become indistinct in most cases.

There are some exceptions we’ll get to sometime later, though.

Vector image types work on math, rather than pixels. Vector information is stored as curves and lines with stroke or fill colors assigned to them. If you were to look at the raw data, it would just be computer code.

The text you type in a text box or word processor is actually displayed as a series of vector images. Vector images are good for complex shapes displayed at any size, such as a logo. Because they are resized without any loss of information, it’s a “lossless” file type.

Now that you have that information under your belt, we’ll give you some examples. As well, you’ll learn when, why, and how they’re used.

Common Image File Format Types

Mentioning “common” image file formats can be tricky, because some people will see some much more often than others. Some you might never see, unless you’re in a certain field.

Regardless, a list of the most common image file formats could go something like this:

• Portable Network Graphics (PNG)
• Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG or JPG)
• High Efficiency Image File Format (HEIF)
• Graphics Interchange Format (GIF)
• Animated Portable Network Graphics (APNG)
• WebP (WebP)
• Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG)
• Encapsulated PostScript (EPS)

You can see some familiar favorites in the list, such as GIF, JPEG, and PNG, but let’s try to make some sense of this.

PNG and APNG

PNG and APNG are essentially the same things, except that the former PNG file format is being extended to add animations. PNG files, or “ping” files, are widely used across the internet because they also allow for transparency.

This allows people to use a logo in a setting that doesn’t have a white box around it, like in the early days of the internet. APNG files are a growing reply to GIF files being big, difficult to make, and sucking up a lot of memory real-estate. PNG files are also high resolution and can be lossy or lossless in their storage capabilities.

As you can see, they’re very versatile.

GIF and the History of the Internet

Pronounced “Giff” or “Jiff”, GIF files are limited to only 256 colors but allow for transparency and animation. It’s little wonder why, then, even with a big data footprint, GIFs have been used since June 15, 1987 — more than 30 years!

In that time, there’s been a love-hate relationship with GIFs, including their pronunciation.

The GIF has enabled a meme-laden culture since the mid-2000s and into the 2020s. GIFs have notoriously bad resolution and long load times because its data-heavy nature.

Two technologies are here to eventually replace it, APNG and WebP.

WebP — Google’s Gift to Servers and Page Load Speed

Google started developing WebP because of a convergence of several image file problems. Google’s philosophy is to replace all major image technologies with a single file type that does everything better. They want better fidelity, animations, and quicker load times.

Conversion from PNG to WebP, on the other hand, results in about a 45% reduction in file size without losing sharpness and visibility in the image. There are even size savings as compared to JPEG, but with better visibility.

WebP was announced in 2010, but it took 10 years for the file format to start making waves. It’s now supported by all major and most minor browsers. It might be worthwhile to consider converting to WebP soon if you aren’t already.

JPEG Compresses the Internet

In 1972 a brilliant young electrical engineer and computer scientist named Nasir Ahmed proposed discrete cosine transformation, or DCT, for image compression.

JPEG was a wonderful piece of computer science — in 1992. Now, with high-res screens and 4k image spaces, it’s inefficient and can add to server and website bloat. If a JPEG is recompressed at a higher quality level than it originally was compressed it can have degraded quality but a higher file size.

Despite more than 90% of websites using JPEG it’s losing ground to newer technologies.

Apple and HEIF — A Match Made in Rivalry

HEIF has been around for a little while but never had much support. HEIF is competing with PNG, JPEG, and now WebP for a lossy or lossless compression standard that retains high quality at high compression.

Apple has jumped on the bandwagon, unwilling to use WebP until recently adding support in Safari. The MPEG organization developed the HEIF standard.

SVG and EPS

SVG and EPS are two vector-based file formats used for different purposes. Browsers use SVG for images, objects, and animations on websites, apps, and consumer use. SVGs have infinite scalability.

EPSs are generally raw files for professionals and don’t have browser or consumer-level app support. Many logos are exported as SVG for infinite sizing. Commonly, professionals use EPSs because they record layer information while SVGs do not.

Which Image File Format Works for You?

Offdrive is simply the best image conversion website around. We know that you have different needs for every image file format you use.

If you have a question about specific file types, keep reading our blog for the latest info and news on file conversion.

Don’t forget to also check out our spreadsheet, archive, and document conversion tools, too! We even have PDF to EPUB!