Blackboard Supported File Types
Blackboard does not natively support any specific file types. Blackboard relies on external programs to open and view any files you may find on the system. What this means is that if you are trying to open a Microsoft Word document in Blackboard, you must have Word already installed on your computer before you will be able to view the file.
Listed below are some common file types used in Blackboard, along with the name of the program needed to view the file. Please be aware that this is not a comprehensive list, additional programs beyond those listed here may be required to view all the files in a Blackboard site.
Common Blackboard File Types
| Extension | File Type | Programs Associated with the File Type |
|---|---|---|
| .aam | Multimedia |
Macromedia Authorware plug-in Note: the .aam file is the starting point for a series of files that must be enclosed in a .ZIP file |
| .aiff, .mp3 , mpe, .wav, .wma , .rm | Audio | Audio Program |
| .asf | Multimedia | Microsoft .NET Show |
| .au | Audio | Real Audio Player |
| .avi | Video | Video Player (Not Macintosh compatible) |
| .doc, .docx | Text | Microsoft Word or other word processor |
| .exe | Executable | Executable File |
| .gif, .jpg, .jpeg, .jif, .mpg, .mpeg, .png, .tiff, .tif, | Image | Graphics Program or Web Browser |
| .html, .htm | Web Page | HTML Editor or Web Browser |
| .moov, .movie | Movie | QuickTime Movie |
| .mov | Video | Movie or Media Player |
| Text | Adobe Acrobat Reader | |
| .ppt, .pptx, .pps | Slide Show | Microsoft PowerPoint and PowerPoint Player |
| .qt | Movie | QuickTime |
| .ra | Audio | Real Audio Player |
| .ram | Video | Real Audio Movie |
| .rtf | Text | Rich Text Format |
| .swf | Multimedia | Macromedia Shockwave plug-in |
| .txt | Text | Text or HTML Editor, Word Processor |
| .wmf | Graphic | Microsoft Windows |
| .wmv | Media/Audio | Microsoft Windows |
| .wpd | Text | WordPerfect or Other Word Processor |
| .xls | Spreadsheet | Microsoft Excel |
| .zip | Text | WinZip |