Supported File Types

The Drag & Drop extension supports a wide range of file types commonly used in business environments. This comprehensive guide outlines supported formats, size limitations, and considerations for different file types.

File Type Categories

Document Formats

Microsoft Office Documents:

• Word: .doc, .docx, .dot, .dotx
• Excel: .xls, .xlsx, .xlt, .xltx, .csv
• PowerPoint: .ppt, .pptx, .pot, .potx
• Visio: .vsd, .vsdx, .vss, .vst

Adobe Portable Document Format:

• PDF: .pdf (most commonly used business document format)
• Adobe Acrobat: .fdf, .xfdf

Text and Rich Text Formats:

• Plain Text: .txt, .log
• Rich Text Format: .rtf
• Markdown: .md, .markdown
• HTML: .html, .htm
• XML: .xml

Image Formats

Common Image Types:

• JPEG: .jpg, .jpeg (photographs, product images)
• PNG: .png (graphics with transparency support)
• GIF: .gif (animated images, simple graphics)
• TIFF: .tif, .tiff (high-quality scanned documents)
• BMP: .bmp (Windows bitmap format)
• SVG: .svg (scalable vector graphics)

Professional Image Formats:

• Adobe Photoshop: .psd
• Adobe Illustrator: .ai
• CorelDRAW: .cdr
• AutoCAD Drawing: .dwg, .dxf

Archive and Compression

Compressed Archives:

• ZIP: .zip (most common archive format)
• RAR: .rar (WinRAR archive format)
• 7-Zip: .7z (high-compression archive)
• TAR: .tar, .tar.gz (Unix/Linux archives)

Considerations for Archives:

• Archive contents not individually accessible through Business Central
• Consider extracting and uploading individual files when appropriate
• Large archives may impact upload performance

Media Files

Audio Formats (limited business use):

• MP3: .mp3 (compressed audio)
• WAV: .wav (uncompressed audio)
• WMA: .wma (Windows Media Audio)

Video Formats (limited business use):

• MP4: .mp4 (modern video standard)
• AVI: .avi (older Windows video format)
• MOV: .mov (QuickTime video format)
• WMV: .wmv (Windows Media Video)

Media File Considerations:

• Large file sizes may impact network performance
• Consider business necessity before uploading media files
• Alternative storage solutions may be more appropriate for media libraries

Specialized Business Formats

CAD and Technical Documents:

• AutoCAD: .dwg, .dxf
• SolidWorks: .sldprt, .sldasm, .slddrw
• SketchUp: .skp
• 3D Models: .obj, .stl

Financial and Accounting:

• QuickBooks: .qbw, .qbb
• Sage: .sag
• CSV Data: .csv (financial imports/exports)

Communication and Email:

• Outlook: .msg, .eml
• Outlook Data: .pst, .ost (consider privacy implications)
• vCard: .vcf (contact information)

File Size Limitations

Standard Size Limits

Recommended Maximum: 50 MB per file

• Optimal performance for most network conditions
• Reasonable upload times for typical business documents
• Compatible with standard Business Central attachment handling

Technical Maximum: Determined by Business Central configuration

• SaaS: Microsoft-defined limits apply
• On-Premise: Administrator-configurable limits
• Consider server memory and disk space constraints

Size-Based Recommendations

Small Files (< 1 MB):

• Text documents, spreadsheets, simple images
• Optimal user experience with immediate upload
• No special considerations required

Medium Files (1-10 MB):

• Complex documents, presentations, detailed images
• Good user experience with brief upload time
• Monitor network performance during peak usage

Large Files (10-50 MB):

• High-resolution images, complex CAD files, detailed presentations
• Noticeable upload time, user patience required
• Consider network bandwidth and peak usage times

Very Large Files (> 50 MB):

• May require special handling or alternative storage solutions
• Consider file compression or format optimization
• Evaluate business necessity and alternative approaches

Browser-Specific Considerations

Cross-Browser Compatibility

Microsoft Edge (Recommended):

• Full support for all listed file types
• Optimal integration with Business Central
• Best performance for drag-and-drop operations

Google Chrome:

• Excellent support for all standard file types
• Good performance and user experience
• Regular security updates and compatibility

Mozilla Firefox:

• Good support for most file types
• May have minor differences in drag-and-drop behavior
• Regular updates maintain compatibility

Safari (macOS):

• Good support for standard business file types
• Mac-specific file attributes preserved
• Consider cross-platform compatibility

Browser Security Restrictions

Executable Files:

• .exe, .msi, .bat, .cmd files typically blocked
• Browser security prevents potential malware distribution
• Use archive formats if executable distribution necessary

Script Files:

• .js, .vbs, .ps1 files may be restricted
• Security policies prevent potential script execution
• Consider alternative formats for sharing procedural information

File Content Considerations

Document Quality and Accessibility

Optimal Document Formats:

• PDF for final documents requiring consistent formatting
• Microsoft Office formats for collaborative editing
• Plain text for simple information sharing
• Images in appropriate resolution for intended use

Accessibility Guidelines:

• Include alt-text in images when possible
• Use accessible PDF formats for compliance
• Consider text alternatives for complex visual content
• Follow organizational accessibility standards

Version Control

Document Versioning:

• Include version numbers or dates in file names
• Consider Business Central's attachment versioning capabilities
• Replace obsolete versions to maintain current information
• Use consistent naming conventions across organization

Collaborative Documents:

• Consider Microsoft 365 integration for live collaboration
• Use appropriate formats for downstream editing requirements
• Balance accessibility with security considerations

Security and Compliance

File Content Security

Virus Scanning:

• Corporate antivirus solutions typically scan uploaded files
• Be cautious with files from external sources
• Report suspicious files to IT security personnel

Sensitive Information:

• Follow organizational policies for confidential documents
• Consider encryption for sensitive file types
• Be aware of data classification requirements

Regulatory Compliance

Industry-Specific Requirements:

• Healthcare: HIPAA compliance for medical documents
• Finance: SOX compliance for financial records
• Legal: Attorney-client privilege considerations
• Manufacturing: Export control and intellectual property protection

Data Retention:

• Consider regulatory requirements for document retention
• Plan for long-term accessibility of attached file types
• Balance storage costs with compliance requirements

Troubleshooting File Type Issues

Upload Failures

Unsupported File Types:

• Error messages indicate unsupported formats
• Consider converting to supported alternative format
• Contact system administrator for organizational policy clarification

File Corruption:

• Re-upload from original source if upload fails
• Verify file integrity before attempting upload
• Use alternative file format if corruption persists

Performance Issues

Slow Upload Times:

• Large file sizes primary cause of slow uploads
• Consider file compression for better performance
• Schedule large uploads during off-peak hours
• Monitor network bandwidth availability

Browser Compatibility:

• Switch browsers if file type support issues occur
• Update browser to latest version
• Clear browser cache if upload problems persist
• Contact IT support for browser configuration assistance

Best Practices for File Types

Format Selection Guidelines

Choose Appropriate Formats:

• PDF for documents requiring consistent formatting
• Native Office formats for collaborative documents
• Compressed images for web display
• Vector graphics for scalable diagrams

Optimize for Purpose:

• Consider downstream usage when selecting formats
• Balance file quality with size constraints
• Use standard formats for maximum compatibility
• Document format decisions for team consistency

File Preparation

Pre-Upload Optimization:

• Compress large images appropriately
• Remove unnecessary metadata from documents
• Combine related documents when appropriate
• Use meaningful file names indicating content and purpose

Quality Assurance:

• Verify file integrity before upload
• Test file accessibility from different devices
• Confirm file opens correctly after upload
• Maintain backup copies of important documents

This comprehensive guide ensures you can effectively work with all supported file types in your Business Central Drag & Drop implementation. For organization-specific file type policies, consult your system administrator or IT security team.