Document Formats
To make your content as accessible and usable as possible, we generally recommend putting the content directly on a web page whenever reasonable. Though we understand that this might increase the effort to publish content, it’s important for greatly improving the user experience of your website.
Learn about possible issues with documents.
Alternate File Formats
That said, there are certain instances where it might be helpful to provide information in a way other than plain text on a web page. Here are a few examples:
Original File Type | Purpose | Suggested Format |
|---|---|---|
Word (.doc or .docx) | fillable form | |
Word (.doc or .docx) | editable template | Google Doc (shared with comment-only or view-only permissions), or a similar free-to-use alternative |
Word (.doc or .docx), or PowerPoint (.ppt or .pttx) | printable handout | |
PowerPoint (.ppt or .pttx) | paired with recorded talk | PDF, Google Slide (shared with comment-only or view-only permissions), or another 3rd-party service like SlideShare |
Excel (.xls or .xlsx) | information only | HTML table on a web page |
Excel (.xls or .xlsx) | editable template | Google Sheet (shared with comment-only or view-only permissions), or a similar free-to-use alternative |
Excel (.xls or .xlsx) | interactive data | 3rd-party service like DKAN |
You’ll notice in this table an emphasis on providing information in a format that can be accessed without requiring any paid software. This is critical because we cannot know for sure what software or devices our audience is using to access our information.
And again, if it can be simple text on a page, skip the PDF or third-party solution.