Basic information about GIF file

When there is a problem with opening files with the file extension GIF（*.GIF or *.gif）, you do not need a computer expert. In most cases, using the helpful suggestions of experts contained in our website as well as appropriate programs, you can solve the problem with the GIF file yourself.

There are 1 file types using the GIF file extension in our database. In the further part of this page, you will find detail information about all the GIF file with their brief description and a list of programs that support GIF file sorted by operating systems. The table below provides useful information about the GIF file extension. It answers questions such as:
  • What is the GIF file?
  • How to open a GIF file?
  • What programs do I need to open a GIF file?
  • What programs help to create and edit a GIF file?
  • How to convert GIF files to another file format?
  • How to convert another files to GIF file format?


1.Detail information about GIF file extension: Graphical Interchange Format File

File type Graphical Interchange Format File Category Raster Image Files
Developer N/A File format Binary
Description GIF file is a Graphical Interchange Format File. A GIF file is an image file saved in the Graphical Interchange Format (GIF). It may contain up to 256 indexed colors with a color palette that may be a predefined set of colors or may be adapted to the colors in the image. GIF files are saved in a lossless format, meaning the clarity of the image is not compromised with GIF compression.
Software programs that will open, edit or convert GIF files

Windows		 File Viewer Plus
Microsoft Windows Photos
Microsoft Windows Photo Viewer
Adobe Photoshop CC 2017
Adobe Photoshop Elements 2018
Adobe Illustrator CC 2017
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2017
Corel PaintShop Pro 2018
ACD Systems Canvas X 2017
ACD Systems ACDSee 2018
Laughingbird The Logo Creator
Nuance PaperPort 14
Nuance OmniPage Ultimate
Roxio Creator NXT Pro 6
Other picture viewer or Web browser
Ability Photopaint
ACDSee Photo Manager
Adobe Creative Suite
Adobe Fireworks
Adobe Premiere Pro
Artweaver
Axialis IconWorkshop
FastPictureViewer Professional
FastStone Image Viewer
FormatFactory
IrfanView
Microsoft Expression Design
Paint.NET
PhotoOnWeb
SWFTools
ThunderSoft GIF to AVI Converter
XnView
Zoner GIF Animator

macOS		 Apple Preview
Apple Safari
Adobe Photoshop CC 2017
Adobe Photoshop Elements 2018
Adobe Illustrator CC 2017
Laughingbird The Logo Creator
Roxio Toast 16
Other picture viewer or Web browser

Linux		 GIMP
Other picture viewer or Web browser

Android		 Google Drive

iOS		 Google Drive

Web		 Google Drive



How to convert GIF files to another file format?

There are 41 records in our database eligible for GIF files to another file format conversion. If you want to achieve GIF to another files conversion, you may use the option.

GIF to 89Y GIF to 9XY GIF to ANI GIF to APK
GIF to ASCII GIF to AVI GIF to BMP GIF to CDR
GIF to CUR GIF to DDS GIF to DJVU GIF to DRAW
GIF to DST GIF to EPF GIF to GRD GIF to HPGL
GIF to JEF GIF to JPEG GIF to JPG GIF to MOV
GIF to MP3 GIF to MP4 GIF to ODG GIF to PAT
GIF to PDF GIF to PEC GIF to PES GIF to PNG
GIF to PSD GIF to SDR GIF to SVG GIF to TGA
GIF to TIF GIF to TIFF GIF to TXT GIF to V2Y
Gif to Video GIF to WEBP GIF to XLS GIF to XLSX
GIF to XXX


How to convert another files to GIF file format?

There are 48 records in our database eligible for another files to GIF file format conversion. If you want to achieve another files to GIF conversion, you may use the option.

PSD to GIF NEF to GIF PNG to GIF ICON to GIF
TIFF to GIF BMP to GIF ODG to GIF CR2 to GIF
JPG to GIF EMZ to GIF SVG to GIF OXPS to GIF
ANI to GIF CLGX to GIF DDS to GIF JPG-LARGE to GIF
AVI to GIF CDR to GIF MOV to GIF MP3 to GIF
MP4 to GIF TGA to GIF TXT to GIF 3MF to GIF
PDF to GIF EPS to GIF LMK to GIF SDR to GIF
DICM to GIF LQM to GIF IFF to GIF INP to GIF
ASC to GIF PIC to GIF DIZ to GIF XPS to GIF
MPG to GIF JIF to GIF ITHMB to GIF AGIF to GIF
DWG to GIF PICTCLIPPING to GIF NFO to GIF CAL to GIF
LCF to GIF INI to GIF RAW to GIF X3D to GIF


Can't open a GIF file?

When you click a file to open it, operating system examines the filename extension. If operating system recognizes the filename extension, it opens the file in the program that is associated with that filename extension. When operating system does not recognize a filename extension, you receive the following message:

”Can't open this file: example.GIF”。

To open this file, you install one of the applications from the list of software programs that you found here, you should be able to open, edit or convert the file with the GIF extension without any issue.


Where I can download the application that support GIF file?

If you do not know where you can download the application from our list, click on the link (which is the name of the program), you will find more information there on the location where to download the required application. Most often they are the websites of software manufacturers.


How to change file associations?

  • Right-click a file with the extension whose association you want to change, and then click "Open With".
  • In the "Open With" dialog box, click the program whith which you want the file to open, or click "Browse" to locate the program that you want.
  • Select the ”Always use the selected program to open this kind of file” check box.


Can I change the extension of GIF files?

Changing the filename extension of a file is not a good idea. When you change a file's extension, you change the way programs on your computer read/open the file. The problem is, changing the file extension does not change the file format. Select a software program from our list and install it on your computer. If the file has not opened correctly, you have to look for a different software program from our list. Sometimes you have to repeat the operation several times.


What else may cause problems width open a GIF file?

The reasons for the lack of the ability to open a GIF file on your computer may be at least several. The easiest thing is to find a suitable application installed on your computer, which will open a GIF file. If there is still something wrong, you might want to check:

  • Whether the GIF file is damaged.
  • Whether the GIF file is incorrectly linked in the registry entries.
  • Whether the GIF file extension has been accidentally removed from the Windows registry.
  • Whether the installation of an application that supports the GIF file format is incompletely.
  • Whether the GIF file is infected.
  • Whether the drivers of the equipment used for opening a GIF file are up to date.
  • Whether your computer has enough hardware resources to open a GIF file.

If the GIF file still not working with your software after eliminating the above shortcomings? That means that the problem is more complex and requires the help of a specialist.