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What Kind of Files Do I Accept?

I’m happy to edit many kinds of files. My main program suite is Microsoft Office 365, which can edit various file types whilst maintaining any included elements to some greater or lesser extent, but I also have various suites for dealing with LaTeX.

Acceptable File Formats

Word Processors

I can accept all the major file formats that can be edited in MS Word, which can include:

• .docx (MS Word Open XML format),
• .doc (MS Word legacy binary format, Office 2007)
• .rft (rich text format)
• .odt (OpenDocument format)
• .pages (Apple word processor Pages format)

Presentation Software

I’m also happy to proofread PowerPoint presentations and other presentation formats that can be opened in PowerPoint:

• .pptx (MS PowerPoint Open XML format)
• .ppt (MS PowerPoint legacy binary format, Office 2007)
• .odp (OpenDocument presentation format)

LaTeX Files

I can also edit LaTeX files, either by directly editing LaTeX source files or through processors such as LyX. Acceptable file formats in this regard include:

• .ps (postscript format)
• .lyx (LyX document format)
• .txt (plain text format)
• .tex (LaTex format)

Note that for LaTeX files, you do not need to send your entire archive as I generally edit the source files directly; indeed, their size often makes their size prohibitive for email. So, there is no need to send images unless you think you might help my understanding of your work.

Sending Large Files

File Archives

To send a large document or an archive (if this is appropriate – see above), you can either use a compressed file format, which include:

• .zip (Zip archive)
• .zipx (Modern Zip archive)
• .rar (Rar archive)
• .gzip (gzipped file, typically from Linux/UNIX OSs)
• .tgz (tar gzipped file, typically from Linux/UNIX OSs)
• .tar.gz (tar gzipped file, typically from Linux/UNIX OSs)

Dropbox and Online Drives

If you need to send a large file that can’t be compressed enough to send in typical email limits, I am happy to send you a link to a shared area on my Dropbox account. If you want to send a link to an archive on one of your own shared online drives or cloud storage areas, such as Google Drive, this is also fine.

Remote Editing

Online Drives

I can also do online editing of files via Google Drive and other such facilities.

Overleaf

For LaTex, I also have an Overleaf account. Most universities will have an Overleaf subscription, but you can can get a free Overleaf account (though without some of the more advanced facilities) if you would like me to edit your files remotely.

And What Else?

If you have an unusual file format or type, please let me know as I may well be able to find a way to edit it. Please contact me with any questions about file formats.

Are There Any Formats You Don’t Edit?

The only mainstream format I can’t edit directly are Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) files, though I can add annotations and indirect editing if this is all that’s required.