File formats Google can index

File Types Indexable by Google

Google Search aims to provide access to the widest possible range of online information. To that end, its indexing capabilities extend beyond simple web pages to encompass a diverse array of file formats.

Text-Based and Document Formats

Google can index the content of most text-based files, allowing users to search for information contained within them. This includes common document formats used for a variety of purposes, such as:

Portable Document Formats:

• Adobe Portable Document Format (.pdf)

Word Processing Formats:

• Hancom Hanword (.hwp)

• Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx)

• OpenOffice text (.odt)

• Rich Text Format (.rtf)

Spreadsheet Formats:

• Comma-Separated Values (.csv)

• Microsoft Excel (.xls, .xlsx)

• OpenOffice spreadsheet (.ods)

Presentation Formats:

• Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt, .pptx)

• OpenOffice presentation (.odp)

Other Notable Formats:

• Adobe PostScript (.ps)

• Electronic Publication (.epub)

• Google Earth (.kml, .kmz)

• GPS eXchange Format (.gpx)

• HTML (.htm, .html, other file extensions)

• TeX/LaTeX (.tex)

• Text (.txt, .text, other file extensions)

Source Code: Recognizing the importance of software development and the wealth of information contained within source code, Google indexing also covers common programming languages:

• Basic source code (.bas)

• C/C++ source code (.c, .cc, .cpp, .cxx, .h, .hpp)

• C# source code (.cs)

• Java source code (.java)

• Perl source code (.pl)

• Python source code (.py)

Mobile Formats: Content designed for mobile devices is also readily indexed:

• Wireless Markup Language (.wml, .wap)

Data Formats: Structured data formats are crucial for information exchange, and Google indexing supports:

• XML (.xml)

Media Formats

Beyond text-based content, Google indexing extends to various media formats, allowing users to discover images and videos relevant to their searches.

Image Formats:

• BMP

• GIF

• JPEG

• PNG

• WebP

• SVG

Video Formats:

• 3GP

• 3G2

• ASF

• AVI

• DivX

• M2V

• M3U

• M3U8

• M4V

• MKV

• MOV

• MP4

• MPEG

• OGV

• QVT

• RAM

• RM

• VOB

• WebM

• WMV

• XAP

Search by File Type

To refine search results and focus on specific file types, users can leverage the filetype: operator within Google Search. For example:

• Searching for architectural blueprints in PDF format: filetype:pdf blueprints sydney opera house

• Finding research papers on climate change in DOCX format: filetype:docx climate change impact on coral reefs

• Discovering datasets on population growth in CSV format: filetype:csv global population growth statistics

By specifying the desired file type, users can efficiently locate the information they need in their preferred format. This powerful feature enhances the precision and efficiency of information retrieval using Google Search.