The blistering pace of technology change over the last decade alone creates a lot of opportunities for businesses to solve customer pain points. It’s also a golden opportunity to streamline routine business processes with an eye toward cost savings and efficiency.

For businesses that lack a lot of tech-savvy, though, it’s also a stumbling block. Consider that nearly a third of small businesses don’t even have a website. These businesses often recognize the need for integrating tech, yet end up baffled by phrases like digital transformation.

Have you ever asked, “What is digital transformation?” Keep reading and we’ll give you an overview of what it is and how to better prep for tech trends.

What is Digital Transformation?

On the surface, digital transformation may just look like converting paper documents into computer files. While that’s a good start, it’s not true digital transformation. It’s simple digitization.

If you then convert those files so they can go into a searchable database for customers or employees, that comes closer to the mark.

At its core, digital transformation leverages technology to fundamentally alter how you do business, execute processes, or interact with customers. Let’s take the fact that a third of small businesses lack a website as an example. In fact, let’s say you don’t maintain a website for your business.

That means all of your customers must either find you in a phone book or via word-of-mouth. If you launch a website with an e-commerce component, that becomes digital transformation. A digital resource changes how your customers find, interact, and shop with your business.

IT Modernization

One major component of digital transformation is IT modernization. Many small and even medium-sized businesses still operate using outdated technology or outdated tech strategies.

Let’s say you were ahead of the curve and launched a website. Have you updated it recently? Do you host it on a local server?

If you haven’t updated that site recently, you are minimally behind the times in terms of SEO. For example, you probably don’t use the best image optimization strategies, such as:

• Size reduction
• Descriptive names
• Appropriate file types

If you host your site locally, you’re missing out on opportunities in cloud technology. You can host your site in the cloud and run much less risk of the site going down because of some local disaster.

Integrating Technology

Digital transformation means integrating technology into your daily routines. Even if you don’t deploy a lot of tech assets, you likely still maintain digital files for customers and finance. Sure, you can create local copies of that data, but it’s still subject to local disasters like a fire.

Backing up crucial files with cloud storage creates a nearly foolproof failsafe for any files you cannot afford to lose. The Covid pandemic lit a fire under a lot of people in terms of remote work. For some businesses, it was the possible path for staying in business.

Getting a remote work framework up and running takes tech integration with things like project management software, video conferencing software, and virtual private networks. These tools let your employees keep working and access company files safely, despite not occupying your office space.

AI

Artificial intelligence probably won’t prove a first-line concern for many smaller businesses. For medium-sized and large businesses, though, it’s an increasingly necessary component of business-as-usual.

On the customer-facing front, many companies use AI chatbots to field customer service inquiries, find resources and even help people make orders. These chatbots take advantage of natural language processing that lets a chatbot grasp the meaning of human language. This means the chatbot can answer questions, even if you don’t use a specific keyword phrase.

An AI chatbot can streamline customer service processes by eliminating more of the more routine issues and only elevating problems that need a human being. That lets your customer service people focus more on providing good service and less on processing as many calls or emails as possible.

Employee Training

Digital transformation isn’t just a matter of buying a lot of shiny new tech toys. It’s also about creating a business culture that embraces technology and what it offers. That means bringing your employees into the digital age, at least in terms of the technology you want to use.

This translates into employee training centered on upskilling and re-skilling. Upskilling focuses on teaching employees how to adapt their current skills for some kind of technological advancement.

For example, that might mean getting your in-house bookkeeper trained on Quickbooks. If you have an IT person, you may pay for them to get AWS training or certification before you move processes into the cloud.

Re-skilling for digital transformation focuses on training employees for new, tech-based roles.

Let’s say you employ a young woman for a low-skill role, but everyone recognizes her natural intelligence. You might get her training in back-end programming, so she can manage databases that support new web functions. If you already have a database guru, you might get her training in front-end development, so she can develop and support a custom website.

This training also helps prepare your employees to recognize and stay ahead of new digital trends.

Upgrading Customer Processes

The online customer buying process is a notorious failure point for businesses. In some industries, cart abandonment rates exceed 80%. The reasons behind cart abandonment can vary, but process complexity plays a key role.

For example, make shipping costs obscure until the final moments of checkout and you’ll see high abandonment. Upgrading customer-centered processes to address pain points can boost your bottom line.

Leveraging Digital Transformation

Now you have an answer to the question of what is digital transformation. So, how do you leverage digital transformation with your business?

Honesty is your first step. You need a clear view of what technology you have, don’t have, and need.

Create a digital transformation framework that focuses on achievable goals. If your tech infrastructure is non-existent, focus on the low-hanging fruit. Get a website up and running and launch cloud backups.

Then, move on to the more complex tasks.

Need file conversion help for your digital transformation? Check out our blog for helpful file conversion tips.

If you’re just getting into producing videos, it’s important that you’re knowledgable about all the video formats available. When it comes to publishing your videos on websites or social media platforms, you’ll find that using the right video format is the difference between a high-quality video or a highly compressed one. 

Delivering videos to clients that are easy for them to use also requires you to use the best video file format, but this can vary depending on their software or operating systems. You may just want to convert a GIF to a video file. 

With this in mind, read on to learn all about the best options when it comes to video file formats in this simple guide!  

1. MP4

We’re starting off with the MP4 because it’s the most common video file format out there. No matter if you have a Windows or Mac computer, almost every video software you can download is capable of playing an MP4 file. Developed by Apple, the MP4 is capable of delivering high-quality video in the smallest video file format available. 

One of its other main benefits is that it offers lossless compression. This means that no matter how many times the video is saved or edited, the quality will remain the same. Almost all social media platforms support MP4 video files if the frame rate is 30 to 40 fps or below.

2. MOV

MOV is another popular video format that was also developed by Apple. They were created in order to be played on Apple’s QuickTime player which is now available to download on Windows computers. It was created in order to deliver high-quality videos, though this comes at the cost of larger file sizes. 

It isn’t as widely used as the MP4 file format because not all video players are able to play MOV files. For this reason, MOV may be the best file to use if you have the QuickTime player and want to present a high-quality slideshow or video presentation. There are a variety of social media platforms that are able to support MOV video files as well. 

3. AVI

Even if you’re not familiar with video file formats, you may be familiar with AVI. This is because it’s one of the oldest video file formats out there with its development by Microsoft in 1992. Because it wasn’t created to be uploaded to the Internet, this is the best video file format to choose if you want to store videos on your computer without compromising quality. 

It’s also predominantly used in ads, TV shows, and movies because of its superior quality and its ability to be played by a variety of applications. 

4. WMV

Short for Windows Media Video, this video file format is largely used by Windows users because of its ability to compress into a small file without losing too much quality. The reason it’s able to compress so small is that it’s not a lossless video format, meaning this is the video file format to choose from if you want to share videos without worrying about the quality. 

If you want to share videos via email or through forums, this is one of the best file formats to use for that reason. It’s not recommended to use for the majority of social media platforms. 

5. FLV

FLV is short for Flash Video Format, and it’s another once-popular video format that was also developed by Adobe. One of the main benefits of this video format is that it can be easily embedded into web pages and played with the Adobe Flash Player. It also provides a lot of flexibility, as it can be read by a variety of video players.

However, it’s important to note that Flash isn’t being used as much as before and is slowly becoming obsolete on websites. The reason for this is because mobile iOS devices aren’t providing support for Flash. With more and more people using their mobile devices to browse the Internet, web developers don’t want to give them a subpar experience with videos that aren’t able to be played.  

H.264

Our list wouldn’t be complete without a mention of this video codec. This is also known as MPEG-4 Part 10, as it’s a more advanced version of MPEG-4 that’s rarely used today. Although it’s not a separate file format, it’s an advanced video compression codec you need to know about as it’s one of the most popular. It provides high-quality videos at a lower bitrate. 

Other video compression codec includes DivX, though it’s used far less compared to H.264. 

Choosing the Best Video File Formats

When it comes to choosing the best video file formats, it all depends on how you’re distributing your video and the quality you desire. For instance, if you have a Windows computer and want to share a video with colleagues, using the WMV video file format may be the easiest option to send a video through email. 

On the other hand, if you want to post high-quality videos online that aren’t too large, you’ll want to use the MP4 video file format. It provides higher quality without slowing down Internet connections or taking up too much space in your hard drive. However, if you want the highest quality video for a short advertisement, you may want to consider utilizing a MOV or AVI file. 

Ready to learn more about converting your files or videos into the best format available? Keep reading our blog for more important guides and tips! 

If you consider yourself a bookworm, you’ve probably at least considered making the jump to digital books. While there’s no mimicking the delightful “new book” smell or the comfort of turning physical pages, a Kindle can save you a huge amount of space in your bag, suitcase, or shelf. According to some estimates, even an older Kindle can store over 90,000 pages, or 300 pounds’ worth of books!

That said, making the move to a virtual bookshelf isn’t easy. If you aren’t familiar with the software or the Kindle file formats, there may be a small learning curve in store for you.

Fortunately, playing with your new device can get you turning pages in just minutes, and our helpful tips on file types can guide you to the best ebook formats for your needs. Here’s what you should know about getting the right files onto your Kindle.

Amazon’s Proprietary Kindle File Formats

To understand the kinds of formats you can expect to see on your Kindle, it’s worth knowing that Amazon has its own series of proprietary ebook file formats. Though they were created for the Kindle’s software, these file types are designed for use across a spectrum of devices, from your smartphone to your tablet to your computer.

As long as you have the Kindle app installed on your device, you can open and read books that use the file types below. Many other e-reader apps support them, but not all do, so it may be worth using Amazon’s official software to open these types of texts.

It’s also important to note that the following file types can only be used with Kindle e-readers or with devices that have access to Kindle apps. In addition, they all contain DRM protection for copyright purposes.

MOBI files

If you own an older Kindle, or if you’ve gotten ebooks from certain sources, you may already be familiar with this file type. Also known as a Mobipocket ebook file, MOBI was the first file type Amazon used upon the launch of the original Kindle.

In recent years, the MOBI format was discontinued and replaced with newer files, which we’ll discuss below. Despite the discontinuation, however, Amazon continues to support MOBI files—which is especially helpful considering that they continue to be a popular file type for Kindle users.

AZW and AZW3 Files

As mentioned above, these file types—often just called “Kindle files”—were designed to replace the MOBI file type.

As for the difference between these two file types, AZW files are simply earlier versions of the new AZW3 file types, which is the next-generation version of the Kindle file format. AZW3 files can support more complex fonts and layouts than their earlier counterparts could.

Additional Supported Kindle File Types

In addition to the proprietary file types above, Kindles also support a range of common file types you’ll find across the internet. This is especially useful for anyone who wants to source their Kindle books outside of Amazon’s official store. When buying from other book providers, or finding free common domain ebooks online, you’re more likely to see the file types below.

EPUB Files

Short for “electronic publication,” EPUB file types are one of the most common e-reader file types in circulation. These files contain DRM protection, just as the file types above do, and they can contain a range of additional information like styling, bookmarks, and more.

EPUB files have two different formatting styles: reflowable and fixed layout. Reflowable EPUB files allow users to fit text and images to a variety of screen sizes, in much the same way that mobile-friendly websites change appearance depending on the device you use to access them. Fixed-layout EPUB files, on the other hand, have one standard layout regardless of all devices.

PDF Files

You’re probably already familiar with this file format, which is common worldwide for its ease of use. Kindles support PDF files, meaning that you can upload one to your Kindle—or any other e-reader—to access it on the go.

Unlike many of the file types above, however, PDF files are fixed in format, meaning that the pages, images, and text won’t resize to fit your screen. They also don’t include DRM protection, and they aren’t sold on Amazon’s website.

TXT and DOC Files

Kindles also support plain-text TXT files. These file types won’t include images or fancy fonts, but they’re an option if you need to access a text-heavy document on the go.

Microsoft Word files are another option, especially if you’d like to transfer a document from your computer to your Kindle for reading purposes. Don’t hesitate to switch those Google Doc files to Word as needed!

Image Files

Your Kindle can also read JPG, JPEG, PNG, and BMP files. While you won’t find many ebooks in this format, you may find this helpful if you need to access a graph, map, or photo on the go.

Converting Between File Types

Given that there are so many file types, each with unique strengths and compatibility details, you may want to convert one at some point. You may also need to convert a book’s file type Kindle can’t read into one that it can.

You can find a variety of online tools that will convert one option into another, including our free converter.

It’s worth noting, however, that you may find formatting difficulties crop up when you switch from a simpler file type to a more complex one. Spacing issues, cropped images, and other problems may make your new document more difficult to read. When in doubt, converting your file to a PDF often does the trick: these fixed-format files aren’t as prone to the frustrating formatting concerns of other conversion types.

Get the Kindle File Types You Need

Ready to dive into your next great read? Knowing the difference between Kindle file formats can help you understand which book is right for your device, and when conversion will make a big difference.

If you need a quick conversion, don’t forget to check out our free tool! With a range of file types to choose from, you can get the right file for your Kindle fast.

The RTF document file format has been around for nearly 35 years. It was originally introduced by Microsoft in 1987 with the launch of MS Word 3.0 for Apple’s Macintosh computers.

Since then, it has become one of the most universal document formats on all computing platforms. Let’s look at the RTF format in more detail and find out how you can use it.

What Does RTF Mean?

The abbreviation RTF stands for Rich Text Format. It’s a file format that supports formatted text for features such as underlining, bold, italics, etc.

History of the RTF Format

The RTF format was originally designed to be a more universal standard than many of the word processing file formats available at the time. In today’s world, the MS Word DOC format is widely supported but in 1987, there wasn’t a single format that had such wide adoption.

Every word processing application had its own filetype and those weren’t compatible between Windows and Mac computers. This made it difficult to exchange files if you were using a different app or a different type of computer.

Microsoft created RTF to solve this problem, which it did. They stopped developing the format in 2008 but more than a decade later, it’s still supported by most operating systems right out of the box.

How to Open an RTF File

Because RTF is so widely supported, there are lots of options for opening these files. And it doesn’t matter what type of computer or version of the operating system you’re running.

Windows PCs

All Windows-based computers released in the last 15 or more years include an application called WordPad. This app is a very simple version of Microsoft’s Word application but one of its standout features is its RTF support.

Of course, if you use the full version of MS Word, it also supports the RTF format, both for opening and saving files. Most other major word processing applications for Windows also support RTF files.

Mac Computers

If you use a Mac computer, you also have a built-in option for opening RTF files. The TextEdit app is part of macOS and in addition to plain text, it supports the RTF format.

Apple’s Pages word processor also supports RTF, both for opening and saving, as does the Mac version of MS Word. Most other Mac-based word processing apps and office suites also let you work with RTF files.

Linux-Based Computers

If you run Linux or another Unix variant on your computer, you won’t get left out. Most Linux distributions include the free LibreOffice suite and it fully supports RTF files.

If you use a distribution that doesn’t include LibreOffice by default, you can download it for free.

And while Microsoft doesn’t currently offer a native version of its Office suite for Linux, you may be able to use the Windows version through the WINE emulator.

Mobile Devices

RTF isn’t quite as well-supported on mobile devices like the iPhone and Android-based phones. These devices often don’t have apps built-in that can open RTF files but that doesn’t mean it isn’t possible.

Apps like Google Docs and the mobile version of MS Office fully support RTF files so it’s just a matter of installing one of these apps from the App Store or Google Play Store to add support.

Cloud-Based RTF Support

You don’t necessarily need to have an app installed on your computer to work with RTF files. Cloud-based word processing tools like Google Docs and Dropbox Paper also support RTF.

With these tools, as long as you have an internet connection, you can open and edit the files without installing anything new on your computer or other devices.

And if you subscribe to Microsoft’s Office 365 service, you have access to the online version of MS Word. The cloud-based version of Word supports nearly all the same features as the full app, including RTF files.

Differences Between RTF and Other Document Formats

You may be wondering why you would use any other document format if RTF is so widely supported. While it is one of the most compatible document formats, there are some limitations compared to other options.

One of the biggest restrictions is that it only supports text content. You can’t add images, charts, or any other type of graphical content to your documents if they’re formatted as RTF.

Other document formats like DOC and PDF let you add other types of content as well as embed content from other applications like MS Excel. This gives you more flexibility in how your documents are structured, at the potential cost of some compatibility across platforms.

How to Convert To and From the RTF Format

If you have a document saved in another format, like DOC, that you want to convert to RTF (or vice-versa) it’s a fairly straightforward process.

MS Word DOC or DOCX Files

The best way to convert between RTF and DOC (or the newer DOCX) formats is to use Microsoft Word. It can open either type of file and then save it in the other format.

It’s as simple as choosing the other filetype from the dropdown list at the bottom of the “save” window to change formats.

PDF Format

If you’re wondering how to convert RTF to PDF, it’s also a simple process with most modern versions of Windows and macOS. Both operating systems have a built-in “save as PDF” feature that lets you save any file you could print as a PDF document.

Converting from PDF to RTF is not so simple, however, because of the structure of PDF files. The quickest way to do this conversion is to convert from PDF to DOC first, then from DOC to RTF.

Just be aware that you’ll likely lose some formatting when you run it through two conversions like this.

The Easiest Way to Convert from DOC to RTF

If you have DOC or DOCX files that you want to convert to the more universal RTF format, the easiest way to do it is with Offdrive’s DOC to RTF or DOCX to RTF conversion tools. Simply upload your DOC/DOCX file, click convert, and you’ll get a secure download link in seconds.

We offer a range of free conversion tools on our website so visit our site anytime you need to convert between file formats.

How easy is it to convert an HTML web page into a Word document?

HTML markup forms the backbone of all websites. Every page on the web uses some form of hypertext markup language to display content.

Microsoft Word is part of the Office suite which still dominates the industry with a 65% market share. The latest version still uses the popular .docx extension which offers small file sizes compared to previous releases.

This article shows how to convert files like HTML into a Docx file in the most straightforward way.

We breakdown the Docx format and explain how to create a simple HTML web file. You’ll learn how to convert the web page into a Word document. We even demonstrate how to convert to a PDF file and perform the process in reverse.

Read on to learn all about HTML conversions to Word so you can edit and share them with your friends and co-workers.

What Is a Docx File?

The earliest versions of Microsoft’s word-processing software, Word, used a .doc file extension.

The ‘doc’ stood for document and saved content in a binary format that only Office applications could read. However, it didn’t optimize data which meant files became bloated when they didn’t need to be.

Microsoft decided to address this issue and launched a new format with its Word 2007 release.

Docx (.docx) files improve on the traditional file system by automatically compressing information. A Word Docx file is basically a compressed zip file containing a series of XML data files that now make up a document.

The new file format is still used today and older versions of Office can open them using a converter. But they cannot edit or change them.

HTML Web Page Markup

HTML or Hyper-text Markup Language is the standard computer language for web pages.

HTML consists of different elements or blocks defined by . When opened in a web browser, these tags display their desired content like images and tables.

A web page and a Word document present information in a similar way because Word now uses XML at its core.

XML is a subset of HTML. The eXtensible Markup Language separates blocks of content into elements and displays them on the screen or a printed page.

Create an HTML File

You can view the HTML code of any web page by right-clicking on the screen on a web browser like Google Chrome. An option similar to ‘View Page Source’ will appear. Select that to view the HTML.

But if you want to create your own HTML file from scratch then follow these steps:

1. Open a text editor like Notepad on your computer
2. Type or copy and paste the code below
3. Save the file as file.html (change ‘Save As Type’ to ‘All Files’ first)

The HTML markup shown here creates a very simple web file with a welcome message.

Welcome To My Web Page

Hello there and welcome to my HTML web page.

You can learn more about HTML coding on the W3Schools HTML tutorial pages.

Converting HTML to Docx

Once you have an HTML web page saved to your computer how do you convert it into the Word Docx format?

Do you have to manually change the HTML code into compatible XML? What about table data and color formats? Does it take long to complete this process?

Thankfully Offdrive handles all of this hard work for you through our HTML to Docx conversion tool.

Visit the link above and upload your HTML file. Check the validation box to confirm that you aren’t a robot and click the convert button.

Our super-speedy servers will process your HTML markup and transform it into Word.

You can then download the file and share or edit it. Alternatively, you can upload another HTML file. And it won’t cost you a thing.

HTML Conversions

At Offdrive, we don’t just stop at HTML to Docx conversions.

Click on the Document Conversion link at the top of the screen then branch open the HTML option. You’ll see a full list of options here including:

• .doc – the original Word format
• .txt – plain text
• .rtf – rich text format
• .epub – a popular ebook format

There are lots of formats to choose from including the Scalable Vector Graphics image file type. It’s easy to convert files to SVG and we have no limits on the number you wish to transform.

Convert to PDF File

One of the most popular file formats is the Portable Document Format or PDF.

PDFs retain their layout and format regardless of the computer or device they appear on. Unlike HTML, a PDF looks the same within all browsers, computers, phones, or tablets.

To convert your HTML files to PDF, use our free online tool.

PDF Conversions

One additional tip is how to convert your new PDFs into the Docx format. Thankfully that process is just as easy as HTML to Word.

Convert PDF to Word File

Visit our PDF to Docx converter page and click the ‘Browse…’ button. Navigate to your PDF file and select it.

Next, check the ‘I’m not a robot’ box and the ‘Convert PDF to DOCX’ button will appear. Click it and wait for our system to process your file.

Convert PDF to JPG File

Offdrive also lets you transform your PDFs into JPG images. You can then insert them directly into your Word documents and resize them without worrying about embedding a PDF.

The steps are exactly the same as with all our file conversions which is simple and convenient!

Convert Files for Free Online With Offdrive

This article has shown you how to convert file formats like HTML and PDFs into a Microsoft Word .docx.

Using Offdrive’s free online conversion tools, it’s easy to transform files from one format into another. Just scroll to the top of our homepage and choose your file type.

We have archive conversion tools, image conversion, spreadsheet, and document conversion. And remember, there are no limits to the number of files you can upload and save.

Our servers even let you convert your HTML files into Kindle .mobi format. Try it out and see how powerful the service is.

Microsoft Excel is one of the most widely-used office applications and if you’ve ever created a spreadsheet with it, you’re probably familiar with its XLS files. This format has been around for decades, originally introduced in 1987 with the launch of Excel.

The CSV format isn’t as well-known but it has been around even longer, dating all the way back to 1972.

These file formats have quite a bit in common but there are some important differences as well. Let’s look at CSV vs XLS and how to choose the right format for your needs.

What Are CSV Files?

The CSV format stands for Comma Separated Values. These files are text-based files with data separated with commas or other separators such as spaces or tabs.

If you open a CSV file in a text editor, you’ll see something like this:

Data Point 1,Data Point 2,Data Point 3,Data Point 4

The commas tell apps that understand the CSV format where each piece of information starts and stops.

What Are XLS Files?

The XLS format stands for eXceL Spreadsheet. XLS is a binary file format that not only holds data but also formatting information, functions, and various other things that Microsoft Excel can handle.

If you open an XLS file in a text editor, you’ll see a lot of nonsensical computer code. It only makes sense to an app that understands the format, like Excel and other spreadsheets that can import XLS files such as Google Sheets.

The Difference With the XLSX Format

When you’re dealing with Excel spreadsheets, you may also come across files with an XLSX extension. Microsoft updated the XLS format when it launched Excel 2007 to add an XML layer to the files.

This change helped reduce the size of Excel files and made them less prone to data corruption. It also helped improve the way image formatting gets handled by Excel.

What Apps Can Open CSV vs XLS Files

Because CSV is a text-based format, any app that can read plain text will open a CSV file. For example, you could open the file in Windows Notepad and you would be able to read everything it contains.

It wouldn’t be formatted particularly well since you would be looking at the raw text separated by commas but you could at least see everything.

If you open a CSV file in Excel, it will look like any other spreadsheet. Excel interprets the comma separator to mean a new column and each new line in the file as a separate row.

XLS files, on the other hand, will only open in apps that understand their binary format. Excel is the obvious choice here but most other spreadsheet apps can import XLS files.

If you use some of Excel’s more advanced features, some of those things may not carry over to other applications but the data in the spreadsheet should import smoothly.

CSV Benefits

The plain-text format of CSV makes it more portable than XLS. You can open these files in any app that supports text files and manipulate the data easily.

This gives you the power to use advanced text editors and other tools to do things like search-and-replace or merge CSV files. Plain text uses minimal memory and storage so even a relatively low-end PC can quickly crunch the data.

Its portability also makes it easy to move between operating systems, such as Windows and macOS, without having to worry about compatibility issues. You could take a CSV file created 30 years ago in an early version of Windows and open it without any trouble on a modern Mac, for example.

XLS Benefits

While XLS files are not as universal as CSV, they offer a lot of advanced features through the Excel apps. You can create far more attractive layouts using different fonts, images, and charts, for example.

XLS files also let you take advantage of all the functions and data manipulation features in Excel. If you try to use those features with a CSV file you opened in Excel, it will warn you that it needs to be converted to XLS first.

How to Convert Between CSV and XLS Formats

Some file types are easier to convert than others. Converting between CSV and XLS is one of the easier processes because most apps that support the XLS format also support CSV.

Using Excel, Google Sheets, or another spreadsheet application, you can open either of the two file types and export it as the other.

If you’re converting from XLS to CSV, it’s important to keep in mind that you could lose a lot of information in the process. Any images, custom formatting, formulas, and other functions that are only possible with the XLS format will get stripped away when you save the file in a CSV format.

The catch here is that you need to have a spreadsheet application on your computer to convert the files this way. And in some cases, you have to have Excel which is not inexpensive.

The Easiest Conversion Solution

If you’re debating on CSV vs XLS and want to be able to convert from one to another easily, the best solution is to use Offdrive’s free file conversion tools.

You can easily convert from CSV to XLS or vice versa without needing any special applications on your computer. Simply upload your file and click convert. Our advanced servers will convert your file and you’ll instantly get a secure download link.

Use our CSV to XLS and XLS to CSV conversion tools to easily move from one format to the other with no special technical skills needed.

Did you know that the entire world uploads 1.8 billion images each day? You’re bound to use a couple of them right now.

If you have images and illustrations, you want to ensure that it has the best format for your needs. That’s why it’s always better to convert files using a web-based converter since you need not install it on your device. But without experience in these processes, you won’t know how to use them.

Don’t feel overwhelmed yet.

With our guide below, you’ll learn how to convert SVG to EMF using our converter. We’re also going to discuss these file formats and how they can help you. Read on and find out more:

What is SVG?

SVG is a format derived from XML used to show various graphics on the internet and other platforms. It’s a vector graphic format composed of simple, plain text files describing different image elements. These include curves, shapes, lines, colors, and accompanying text.

SVG files are readable by humans, meaning it’s easy to understand and modify. To do this, you have to use JavaScript or CSS. This nature gives SVG a broad degree of versatility that traditional image formats can’t match, whether it’s GIF, PNG, or JPG.

The SVG format is a W3C standard, meaning it can seamlessly operate with other open technologies and standard languages, like DOM, CSS, HTML, and JavaScript. With W3C setting the industry standards worldwide, SVG will remain as the default standard for web browser vector graphics.

Benefits of SVG

Lots of websites use the SVG format, with 24.7% of all websites using it for their needs. Its true value lies in the fact that it remedies the majority of problems commonly found in modern web development. These are some things you should remember:

1. Scalability and Responsiveness

SVG uses numbers, shapes, and coordinates instead of pixel grids when rendering browser graphics. This makes images endlessly scalable and free from resolution. It’s the same concept as drawing a circle using a pencil or skywriting on a plane since only the scale will differ.

SVG allows you to combine various shapes, paths, and text to make various visual types. These will remain clear and crisp no matter how you adjust it. It’s unlike other formats with fixed dimensions since they pixelate when scaled.

SVG’s infinite scalability remains unmatched despite the responsive image techniques used by pixel graphics.

2. Performance

The size of the files you use on web pages affects its web performance. SVG graphics have smaller file sizes compared to their raster graphics counterpart. Take note, speed and performance affect how your visitors rate your website.

3. Programmability

Unlike most image formats, an SVG file has full scripting and editing capabilities. It means you can add various types of interactions and animations to drawings saved as an SVG file. Your primary methods of accomplishing this include CSS and JavaScript.

4. Accessibility

Since SVG files are text-based, you can search and index it. It means screen readers, search engines, and other gadgets can read them without issues. Compared to pixel-based graphics, SVG files are more convenient by design.

What is EMF?

EMF is the acronym for Enhanced Metafile Format. Its primary use is for printer drivers, functioning as a graphics language. It’s also for storing graphical images independently from devices, with metafiles consisting of records of varying length arranged in chronological order.

With this, EMF files render the image by parsing these records. These records contain important image elements like enclosed object definitions, drawing commands, and other graphics properties. When devices open EMF metafiles using their graphics environment, the properties of the original picture will remain consistent across various platforms.

Benefits of EMF

EMF is a great format since it has lots of useful features, like scaling, cropping, color support, and Bezier curves. Among these, its device independence feature is the best. It also supports metadata, which means the image can have text descriptions included.

How to Convert SVG to EMF

Converting SVG to EMF is easy with our online converter. You can accomplish this in five simple steps that even people without tech proficiency can follow. Here are the steps you should follow:

1. Go to Our Homepage

The links to our various conversion pages are on our homepage. Ensure that you’re there to see the various file conversion methods in our arsenal. Use it for future reference, in case you want to convert more files to various formats.

2. Click the Image Conversion Option

On top of our homepage, you’ll see the navigation bar where you can access various file conversions. Among these, click on Image Conversion and select SVG Conversion. There, you’ll find the SVG to EMF conversion option.

3. Upload Your SVG File

On the resulting page, click the green Browse button. This opens a new window where you can browse the SVG file you desire to convert. Once you pick the right file, press the Open button to lock it in.

4. Complete the CAPTCHA Test

To prove you aren’t an automated line of code with malicious intent, complete the CAPTCHA test. This test’s design enables humans to easily solve it by warping the displayed text. This method, along with others, is almost impossible for bots to complete.

5. Convert the SVG File

After finishing the CAPTCHA test, press the big green “Convert SVG to EMF” button. This will kick off the conversion process. Depending on the size of your file and the speed of your internet, it might take anywhere between instantaneous to a few seconds.

Once done, press the Download Now button to save the resulting EMF file to your device. If you intend to convert more files, press the Convert More Files button instead. You’re done!

Convert More Files Today!

These are some things you should consider when choosing between SVG and EMF files. Use these to determine whether you should convert SVG to EMF or let them remain as is.

Did you learn something from our guide and are looking for more useful tips and tricks? If so, read more of our posts, like this one showcasing how to troubleshoot files you can’t open or send.

If you’re in a band, you’ve probably run into this problem: somebody uploads a song to Google Drive, and no one can listen to it because it’s not formatted correctly. This type of communication breakdown happens all the time, it’s not just for bands. 

Any time a business needs to upload a video clip or audio presentation, or any time you’re trying to listen to a WAV file and can’t seem to make it work, chances are, you’re not a savvy GIF to WAV converter.

No worries, if you need to learn how to convert a GIF to WAV, we’ve got you covered. Read on!

What Is a GIF File? 

GIF stands for Graphics Interchange Format. 

GIF used to be the standard for 8-bit color images on the internet. Then PNG came along and replaced many of the uses for GIF files.

But GIFs are still often seen on text threads. Many of you probably have a GIF keyboard installed on your phone so that you can send little goofy video clips to your friends. 

The GIF keyboard on your phone uses animated GIFs. Your keyboards turn these files into several images or phrases combined on a single file.

These short, pithy video sequences display one after the other and show at varying frame rates. The low-file-size is perfect for a device like your phone.

GIFs usually end after running through on the last frame, though they are now more commonly seen looping.

How to Create a GIF?

Programs such as Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, and Microsoft GIF Animator are great tools to create GIFs. Several cell phone applications have easy-to-use software applications so you can send GIFs to your friends.

Do not create photographs out of GIFs. GIfs are only suitable for solid graphics with a limited number of colors.

The lower number of colors takes advantage of the format’s lossless compression. The lossless compression favors simpler, flatter color fields.

However, if you’re looking for something more natural to use, the PNG file format is the industry standard. 

What is a WAV File?

WAV files are audio files saved in the WAVE format. These types of files are standard digital audio formats. An easy way to remember WAV files is by thinking of the sound waves WAV files save. 

WAV files can contain audio recordings with different bitrates and sampling rates. But the most common form is the 44.1 kHz, 16 bit, stereo format.

WAV files use the Resource Interchange File Format (RIFF) as a template for saving video and sound, and it has been around since the early 90s when Microsoft developed the technology. 

Microsoft developed WAVE files to save raw, uncompressed audio. So, WAVE files are the perfect way to save your unfinished band demos.  

At the beginning of this article, we discussed converting GIF files to WAV files. That conversion isn’t nearly as standard as converting AIF files to WAV files. AIF files, or Audio Interchange Files, are most commonly used by Mac OSs.

Because Microsoft uses WAV files more often than MAC, the natural snag people run into when trying to send friends or colleagues audio files is converting from AIF to WAV or Vice Versa. 

Converting GIF to WAV 

Converting a GIF file to a WAV file can be tricky since you mostly use GIF files for their visual contents, and you mostly use WAV files for their audio materials. Nonetheless, it’s still possible. 

The easiest way to convert GIF to WAV is by using a converter. Here’s a step-by-step guide: 

1. Upload the GIF file 
2. Convert the GIF file 
3. Download the WAV file

Rocket science, isn’t it?

Use our free online file conversion program for all of your file conversion needs. 

What Are the Reasons for Converting GIF to WAV 

The main reason for converting GIF to WAV is what’s known as lossy data vs. lossless data. 

What is the difference between lossy and lossless data, you ask?

Files in the RAW format are formatted as Lossless because they preserve the files’ raw data?  JPEG files are lossy because you always lose a certain amount of data upon conversion.  

Here are some more examples of lossy vs. lossless data formats: 

• Lossy Images – GIF and JPEG formats
• Lossless Images – PNG, BMP, and Raw 
• Lossy Audio files – OGG, MP4, and MP3 
• Lossless Audio files – ALAC, FLAC, and WAV 

Lossy files are mostly a remnant of the past. Lossless files are more advanced. Think of it this way, when you convert a GIF to WAV, you’re righting our historic digital wrongs.

For example, while converting a CD to an MP3 (super relevant nowadays), you lose a lot of data. Hence, your new nickname becomes lossy because you lose so much. 

If you were to convert the data from a CD to WAV, you wind up with a larger file with no data loss. 

You also don’t want to convert a lossy to a lossy because, naturally, you compound losses and lose more data. So, steer clear of converting GIF to MP3 and opt for the GIF to WAV because you’ll be flossin’ not lossin’. 

An easy way to conceptualize converting lossy files to lossy files is imagining copying a photocopy with another photocopy. It’s like movies — the sequels are never as good as the original. 

The uses for converting files aren’t only musical. You can convert images and video files as well. The trick is understanding which files transfer best to each other. By using the right conversion format, you retain the original quality and save space while you’re at it. You’ll finally look like a pro. 

Start Your Conversion Today 

In today’s digital age, it’s essential to stay up to date on what types of files the business world uses. You don’t want to get left behind in the cloud. 

The good news is, converter apps make conversions easy and accessible. Remember, you can prevent data losses by converting to lossless file formats. A great example of this is converting  GIF to WAV.

Check out more of our blogs today for more digital information! 

Did you know that there are over 1.2 billion Microsoft Office users in the world? MS Office has quickly become one of the most popular business tools globally. 

However, MS office is not the only office suite used today. Open Office, Google Documents Suite, and other options are available. Many types of documents are shared between offices. In fact, there have never been so many types of docs, images, archives, and other files shared between offices. 

If you work in an office, you will know that changing the purpose of files can be challenging. While many will be able to open a simple MS Word document, learning to convert common file types can be challenging. 

You may want to convert a colorful PDF to a PNG file for use in a presentation. Another person may want to convert a PDF to EPub to increase its readability. 

How can you become a master of file type conversion? Why not read our article below to find out. 

Use a Professional, but Free, File Conversion Tool

Whatever type of file you are looking to convert, the easiest option is a free online file conversion tool. Why should this be your first option?

Put simply, this is the easiest and fastest method of converting file types. Whether you are looking to convert one file or one hundred, these tools make your work much easier. 

As these are custom-designed tools, they use the latest conversion techniques and algorithms to ensure that the conversion is accurate and even formatting in the files is preserved. 

Many people are not aware of the flexibility of file conversion tools. You can use them to convert a large number of file types. 

Operating System Specific File Types

Some files were created using a different operating system or using software that is unique to that operating system. An example of this is the Apple Pages word processing software. 

A colleague may send you a file that opens and works perfectly well on his Apple computer. However, MS Word does not recognize this file type easily. You can simply use an online Pages to DOCX conversion tool to adjust it. After this, you will be able to open and work with the file as if it were a normal MS word file.

Archive Conversion

File conversion is not limited to document files. Did you know that you can also convert entire archive folders? Let’s imagine that you receive an urgent request from another department that requires you to use a .ZIP file. However, you know that 7-zip would provide better functionality for the job. 

You can simply open up your free online conversion tool and convert the archive from ZIP to 7-Zip. You can then use all the software functionality of Z-Zip with your archive. This can save you valuable time. 

E-Reader File Types

Sometimes you may want to convert a file in order to be able to increase its readability. For example, imagine that you receive a large instruction manual that you have to read and absorb. You want to import it into your Kindle.

You can again use your online conversion tool to change the file type from PDF to MOBI (Kindle) format. You will then be able to benefit from the added functionality of the kindle software when reading the manual. 

These are some examples of how an online conversion tool can help you. There are however other methods of converting files…

Change the File Extension

Another method of converting files is to simply change the file extension. Granted this may not work for all file types and if done incorrectly it could cause problems. However, it is still a viable solution in some circumstances.

To do this you will need to allow Windows to show file extensions. You can do this through the folder options menu. After this you will see that the file name ends with a “.” and a file type. For example “picture.jpg”.

Right-click the file and select rename. After this select the “jpg” and rename it to the file type you desire ie. “.png”. Hit return. You will receive a warning from Windows that changing the file type could cause the file to become unstable. Accept this. 

When you try to open the file, you will see if the conversion has been successful. If no program will open the file successfully then likely you will need to do more than change the filename. Time to go back to the online conversion tool. 

Could Existing Installed Software Help You?

Sometimes you can use the existing installed software to help you convert files to a limited number of file types. 

For example, if you are working on a document in Google docs, however, you know that another person will need to use the same document in .xls format, you can simply use the Save as function to export the file in that format. 

This also applies to files created on different operating systems. When working on a document in Apple Pages, you can use the Export function to create a version of the file in .docx for easy use by other users.

This functionality is often helpful when you are converting image types. An image file may be in .jpg file format. However, many image processing software packages will allow you to export the image in a number of software types.

This may create changes in quality according to the file type. However, it is still possible to make this conversion using software already installed on your computer.

Convert Common File Types and Much More

Working in an office environment has become more complex than ever before. Each day you may be bombarded with xls, jpg, png, Docx, and a multitude of other files to work with. Now thanks to online tools you can convert common file types into manageable formats.

If you are interested in improving efficiency and managing different file types in your workplace, then we are here to help. We leverage our experience in the business and technology worlds to bring you tools that save you time and increase productivity. 

Why not check out our range of conversion tools or take a look at our blog to see how we can help you today.

Ah, the age old debate.

Which is the better image format: PNG or JPG?

This has been argued for ages online, and there are certainly valid arguments to be made on either side.

Still, if you’re trying to ensure the best quality images for your purposes, you need a definitive answer.

Or at least, as close to definitive as you can get with a debate like this.

That’s what we’re going to try and do today. We’re going to take a look at the pros and cons of each image format, and get to the bottom of exactly which one is better.

PNG or JPG: Why Does It Matter?

Some of you might be wondering why this even matters at all. That’s a valid question.

Different image formats store information differently. Obviously, the computer doesn’t really have the image itself stored somewhere.

All it has is data that tells the computer where and how to render the information on the screen to reproduce the image.

Because different formats all store this information differently, they all render the image in different ways.

This can lead to wildly varying quality; some formats value speed and file size over image quality, for example. Other formats may look better, but take up more space and load more slowly.

For personal use, lower quality may be a worthy trade off in exchange for speed and low file size. But in a professional setting, you generally want the image to look as clean and sharp as possible.

After all, research has shown that the brain is more likely to retain information that is conveyed through images. That means high-quality images are important for our online presence.

What Do Different Formats Do Differently?

Before we dive in to the differences between the two formats, we should define a few of the terms we’ll be using to judge them.

There are several aspects of different formats that we’ll be taking into consideration. These include the color formats, such as 8-bit and 24-bit color.

Everything in computers is ultimately stored in binary information called bits. When we talk about 8 or 24-bit colors, what we mean is how many of those bits the format has available to store color information.

The more bits available, the more colors we have available; but our load times will often be slower, and our file sizes bigger.

We also need to understand the two types of image compression: lossy and lossless.

Simply put, lossless compression uses an algorithm within the format to perfectly recreate the image when it is loaded.

Lossy compression, on the other hand, creates only an approximation of the original image. Once again, we’re looking at a trade-off of image quality versus file size and load times.

Now that we’ve defined some important terms, let’s look at the differences between the two.

PNG: Portable Network Graphics

PNG, or Portable Network Graphics, is the most common uncompressed image format around.

PNG images use lossless compression, which as we mentioned earlier, perfectly recreates the stored image when it’s loaded. It also uses the 24-bit color palette that we talked about, which means it has a large array of colors available to choose from.

PNG images are also capable of rendering greyscale images, and perhaps more importantly, transparent backgrounds.

The PNG format, as its name suggests, was originally meant to be a portable format for transferring images between devices. However, its sharp quality, and relatively small size and quick loading, caused it to explode in popularity online.

Nowadays, PNGs are the most commonly found image format on the internet.

JPG/JPEG

JPG, sometimes written as JPEG, stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group, the organization that first created the format.

Unlike PNG, JPG images are compressed using lossy compression, meaning that the rendered image is technically only an approximation of the original image.

While this is usually not noticeable, it can cause the image to lose some of its quality. As mentioned earlier, this does come with a smaller file size and faster load times in general.

Something unique to JPG files that PNG cannot replicate is the ability to resize the image effectively.

Because of the compression techniques used, JPG can be resized with far less loss of quality than an equivalent PNG file.

The other major benefit to JPG formats is the user control. The amount of compression applied to a JPG file can be controlled, allowing you to lessen it for better quality, or increase it for smaller file size.

Making the Decision: PNG or JPG

As we’ve seen, the choice between PNG or JPG is more complex than it may seem. 

The differences between the two are important to take into account, and depending on the exact nature of your website, you may even need to use both of them at different times.

As a general rule, PNG is the better choice for simple usage. It’s easy to use and is the most common format online. It gives sharp image quality right out of the gate and keeps file sizes and load times relatively low.

However, if you need to control those aspects more finely, such as when file size and load times are a high priority, then JPG is the way to go.

It’s lossy compression results in smaller files, and the ability to control the extent of the compression means that you can tweak things to the specific circumstances of the image.

However, if all you need is good, simple, and consistent image quality, PNG is going to be the way to go.

Of course, not all the images you want to use are going to be in the format you want them to be in right away. If you need to convert files between JPG and PNG, or any other formats, our free file converter will take care of that for you.

So grab those images, convert them to the format of your choice, and make your website look as clear and beautiful as it can.