Content format

Determines the means by which content is consumed by its users, and influences the devices and software through which it is available.

Definition

Most digital content is rendered as HTML, but can also be packaged in other formats. A format determines the means by which content is consumed by its users, and influences the devices and software through which it is available.

Examples of content formats include PDFs, spreadsheets, documents, videos, audio and images (which can be static, like a JPEG, or dynamic, like an SVG), as well as HTML. There are also accessible content formats like British Sign Language (BSL), easy read, Braille, subtitles and textphone.

In government, we often offer the same content in different formats, at the request of users. For example, if a PDF is marked as inaccessible on GOV.UK, users are given the option to request an accessible format.

Do not confuse a content format with a content type. On GOV.UK, for example, a PDF (an example of a content format) can be attached to many different content types, for example, a consultation, policy paper and official statistics.

Also do not confused it with format in the GOV.UK Publishing API, which along with document_type is a way of managing content types on GOV.UK.

Source

• GOV.UK guidance on accessible communication formats
• GOV.UK content design manual guidance on content types
• Kontent.ai glossary entry on content format

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