City Electronic Files
Explanation and help with various file formats and how and when to use them
File Formats
Documents are in a variety of file formats because they are of different types and were created with different programs for different purposes.
Generally, the files should open automatically in the correct software when you click on them. If you have trouble, you may need to install additional software on your computer. Free software that can open all city public files is available for download and on a CD at the Gustavus Public Library.
| File Type | Name | Free Software | Notes |
| .htm .html | HTML (web pages) | Firefox | Any web browser, such as Internet Explorer included with Microsoft Windows, will open HTML files. Changing web pages is beyond the scope of this document but can be accomplished with OpenOffice and other programs. |
| .jpg .gif .png | Pictures | Firefox, GIMP | Photographs and other graphics in these standard web formats can be displayed by any web browser. To modify them, try GIMP (the GNU Image Manipulation Program). |
| Adobe Portable Document Format | Adobe Reader | .pdf files are electronic paper preserving the exact appearance of the original document, no matter what program was used to create it. Note: .pdf files cannot be modified. If you need to change a .pdf file you need to obtain the "source" document in its original file format, edit that, and then create a new .pdf file from it. | |
| .doc | Microsoft Word document | OpenOffice | Word processing documents. Many people already have Microsoft Word, part of the Microsoft Office suite of programs, installed on their computer. |
| .xls | Microsoft Excel spreadsheet | OpenOffice | Spreadsheets are used for calculating rows and columns of numbers. Many people already have Microsoft Excel, part of the Microsoft Office suite of programs, installed on their computers. |
If you still cannot work with the city files, contact the city clerk for assistance.
