About File Formats
This page provides links to software for accessing a variety of file types that are available to view or download from this website. The file types are listed below, with recommendations for use and links to available plug-ins.
If you have difficulties viewing information on this website, or if the format of any material on our website interferes with your ability to access the information, please contact DIR. We welcome comments on how to improve the site's accessibility. So we may respond in a manner most helpful to you, please indicate the nature of the problem, your preferred format for the material, the web address (URL) of the requested material, and your contact information.
DOC/DOCX
Word: Documents formatted in Microsoft word processing software. Download these files if you have a word processor capable of reading the version and if you want to keep the formatting and edit the document electronically. A plug-in for viewing these files is available from Microsoft's Download Center.
HTML
HyperText Markup Language: The web versions of documents, complete with hyperlinks to referenced information, as available. Use these files if you want to read the document online with your browser.
Portable Document Format: A universal file format that prevents the accidental modification of the content, look, and layout of a printed document. These files are accessible through a free viewer published by Adobe. DIR recommends using the latest release of the free Adobe viewer. Some toolsets including Microsoft Word allow the conversion of some PDF documents to an editable format, as well as, saving standard DOC/DOCX documents into a PDF format. Select this file type if you want to print a copy of the document. Tagged PDF files are generally accessible via assistive technologies.
PPT/PPTX
PowerPoint Slide Show Presentation: Download these files if you have software capable of reading the version and you want to edit the slide show electronically. A plug-in for viewing these files is available from Microsoft's Download Center.
RTF
Rich Text Format: Text files with some formatting. Download this file type if you want to save and edit the document electronically. A plug-in for viewing these files is available from Microsoft's Download Center.
VSD/VSDX
Visio: Documents formatted in Microsoft Visio software. A plug-in for viewing these files is available from Microsoft's Download Center.
XLS/XLSX
Excel Spreadsheet: Documents formatted in Microsoft Excel spreadsheet software. A plug-in for viewing these files is available from Microsoft's Download Center.