File Formats used in Blackboard Learn
In a Learning Module, an instructor usually attaches various types of class files for your viewing. If a file is not in a web-based format (e.g.html, .jpg, or .gif), you must have the appropriate application on your computer to open and view the file..
The following table lists file formats and their corresponding applications. If you don't have the application, you can access a free download site by clicking an application listed below. Be sure to download and install the appropriate application to your computer before you open a non-web based file.
File Format |
Descriptions |
Applications Needed to Open the File |
| .html, .htm, .jpg, .gif | Web based formats | No additional application needed |
| .pdf* | Adobe Portable Document File | Adobe Acrobat Reader |
| .rtf** | Rich Text File | Any word processors - MS Word - Word Pad in Windows - MS Work - Word Perfect |
| .doc* .docx* | MS Word File | MS Word or MS Word Viewer |
| .ppt* .pptx* | MS PowerPoint File | MS PowerPoint Viewer MS PowerPoint |
| .xls* .xlsx* | MS Excel File | MS Excel Viewer MS Excel |
| .mdb* .mdbx* | MS Access File | MS Access or MS Access Viewer |
*All lab computers at MxCC campuses have Microsoft Office Professional and Adobe Acrobat Reader to allow you to open .rtf, .doc, .ppt, .xls, .mdb, and .pdf files.
** We recommend that you submit all documents in .rtf format so that the files will be readable by all students and your professor. For more information on saving a Word 2007 document as .rtf, click here.