Understanding File Types and Formats

File types affect:

• Whether your tutor can open your work.
• Whether Turnitin or the VLE accepts your submission.
• Whether others can edit, comment, or read your work.
• Whether your file is accessible for screen readers.
• The professionalism and clarity of your submitted work.

Choosing the wrong file type can lead to errors like:

• Submitting a PDF when Turnitin requires a Word document.
• Sending a file that others cannot edit or open.
• Accidentally locking a document when it still needs feedback.
• Submitting a file that loses formatting when opened on a different device.

• Submitting the wrong format — e.g., PDF instead of Word, or vice versa.
• Confusing view-only formats (PDF) with editable formats (Word, PowerPoint).
• Not knowing how to convert files — e.g., from .pages to .docx or from PowerPoint to PDF.
• Using unusual formats from other software (.odt, .pages, .numbers) that staff cannot open.
• Assuming PDFs are always better — when they can reduce accessibility if not created correctly.
• Not realising that file types affect accessibility — especially for screen reader users.

• Know the difference between Word (.docx), PDF (.pdf), and PowerPoint (.pptx) — and when to use each.
• Check the submission requirements — Turnitin usually requires Word (.docx), not PDF.
• Use PDF when the layout must stay fixed — e.g., for posters or final slides shared with an audience.
• Use Word when others need to comment, review, or when using Turnitin for similarity checking.
• Learn how to convert files between formats — e.g., Save As PDF or Save As Word.
• Avoid unusual formats (.odt, .pages, .numbers) — convert these to .docx or .pdf before submission.

These Microsoft help guides show you how to convert files and choose the right format when saving or submitting work: 

• Save or convert to PDF
• Save a document in another file format

• Check the submission rules — some tools (like Turnitin) only accept Word files.
• Use PDF when sharing work that doesn’t need editing — e.g., posters or finished slides.
• Use Word when feedback, comments, or similarity checks are needed.
• Avoid submitting .pages, .odt, or .numbers files — convert them to .docx or .pdf.
• Check accessibility — PDFs are not always accessible unless created correctly. Word is usually more screen reader-friendly.