About Document Formats

Microsoft published the specs for XML file formats in 2003 and licensed them to competitors. Over the years there has been a push toward an open standards environment, and currently Open XML and Open Document Format (ODF) are at the forefront. The XML format is very much in favor because data in a file can be reused. This reuse was not possible with binary file formats. The XML format is expected to be the future of document file formats.