There is no guarantee that file formats, such as Word, will remain readable forever. That is why files must often be converted into a more suitable format. Files with copy protection or digital rights management (DRM) should generally be avoided, as should proprietary formats (i.e. closed formats belonging to commercial organizations).

Below is a list of file formats that are favorable in terms oflong-term preservation. The ZHB has based these recommendations on information from the Library of Congress the Schweizer Koordinationsstelle für die dauerhafte Archivierung elektronischer Unterlagen (KOST) and the ETH Library, as well as general technological developments and market observations.

We'll happily advise you on any questions you may have.

Last updated: 4/16/2018