Yes, you can typically open common Windows file types like documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and PDFs on a Mac. macOS includes built-in applications (TextEdit for basic text, Preview for PDFs and images) and the free Pages, Numbers, and Keynote apps that can open Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx), often seamlessly. For file formats specific to certain Windows-only software, you might need alternative Mac apps or conversion tools.

For instance, you can open a Word .docx file directly in Apple Pages for editing, or view an Excel .xlsx spreadsheet within Numbers. Adobe Acrobat Reader for Mac opens Windows-created PDFs identically. Some niche applications, like proprietary engineering tools, may require running the Windows software itself using compatibility solutions like virtualization (Parallels Desktop) or Wine-based tools. Users in creative agencies, education, and business environments frequently work cross-platform with these documents.

While accessing mainstream document formats is easy and reliable, complex formatting might occasionally display differently. Running dedicated Windows applications on Mac requires virtualization software (which needs a Windows license and significant system resources) or emulation layers, introducing complexity. This widespread file compatibility is a major advantage for Mac adoption in mixed environments, fostering seamless collaboration. Future developments will likely focus on deeper cloud integration to make specific OS requirements even less relevant.