Why do people convert computer files?

Computer documents can appear in all sorts of formats, each represented by a three-letter suffix.

There are literally thousands, although many perform the exact same function as each other. There are dozens of different files which allow computer users to listen to music and there are even more for those who want to type or read text. The same can be said for image files.

Many people who aren't IT experts may wonder why there are so many different file types which perform more or less the same function and why there is a need for software to convert the same file into a different format. This article explores some of the reasons.

Editing

One of the reasons there are so many file types for what is essentially the same outcome is the wide range of software used to create and edit them. Text can be created in .pdf, .doc or .txt files, to name just a few of the most common ones.
The need to convert these files often comes from the desire to edit them in some way. For example, if a business needed to be extremely accurate with the formatting of a text document it would probably need to convert any of the files above into a .afp file using AFP conversion software, as these files can be edited far more accurately.

Using the file

There is no piece of software which can open any type of file. You can't listen to music in Microsoft Word. You can't search for computer viruses using iTunes. Each piece of software only has a specific purpose.
Another of the main reasons that files need to be converted is when they are sent to someone who doesn't have the necessary software to open them. Instead of shelling out for a new piece of software, they can convert the file to a format which can be viewed using the software they have.

Resizing

Resizing the file is another key reason why people convert them. Some files take up more space on a piece of software or hardware than others. Users may want to decrease a file's size for easy storage or increase it for more detail.

Just like any other piece of software, there are plenty of file conversion programs to choose from - so it is worth doing your research before investing in a certain one.