Exportformate

Export formats, or Exportformate, are the file formats used when exporting data or documents from software systems. They determine how content is encoded, compressed, and arranged for interchange, archival, or subsequent processing. The choice of export format affects fidelity, accessibility, and compatibility with other tools.

Common categories include: document formats such as PDF, DOCX, and ODT; image formats like JPEG, PNG, TIFF, and SVG for vector graphics; audio formats such as MP3, WAV, and FLAC; video formats including MP4, AVI, and MKV; data formats such as CSV, TSV, JSON, XML, and YAML; 3D formats like OBJ, STL, and FBX; and GIS formats such as GeoJSON, Shapefile, and KML. Each format has strengths and trade-offs in terms of readability, editing capability, and file size.

Important considerations when selecting an export format include compatibility with target software and platforms, licensing and openness, the ability to preserve metadata, character encoding (commonly UTF-8), and whether the format is lossy or lossless. Some formats are standardized and designed for long-term access (for example PDF/A for archiving, GeoJSON for geospatial data), while others are proprietary and vendor-specific.

Best practices involve choosing formats that balance fidelity, size, and usability, favoring open formats for long-term accessibility, and documenting any version or export settings. Thorough testing across systems helps ensure that exported data remains usable and correctly interpreted in downstream workflows.