When exporting refers to saving content from an application into a file format usable by other programs or systems. Choosing a different format involves selecting from options provided during the export process, distinct from the application's native working format. This flexibility allows tailoring the output to a specific need, such as wider compatibility or enhanced features unavailable in the original format.

For instance, you might export a text document from a word processor to PDF for uneditable sharing or to RTF for compatibility with older software. Similarly, graphic designers often export images to PNG for transparency support or to JPEG for smaller sizes suitable for web pages.

Choosing formats depends on balancing factors like intended use (web vs. print), audience tools (universal PDFs vs. specialized DWGs), file size limits, and feature preservation (vector vs. raster). Potential drawbacks include losing proprietary data or formatting fidelity. Future trends include increased automation in format suggestions and richer standard formats.