Supported File Types

Last updated: 2026-03-23

Litigation data arrives in many formats: PDFs, Word docs, email archives, surveillance video. Hintyr supports over 30 file types common in e-discovery, covering documents, spreadsheets, presentations, images, video, audio, email, and archives. Each file can be up to 4.5 GB. You can view most formats in your browser, and the AI agent can search them during document review. This helps you meet FRCP Rule 34(b) obligations to produce electronically stored information in a usable form.

Supported file types for e-discovery review

Litigation involves many types of electronically stored information (ESI): PDF contracts, custodial email archives, surveillance footage. Hintyr handles these in a single workspace, so you rarely need to leave the platform to open a file. Below you'll find every supported format organized by category, with details on viewing, redaction, and Bates numbering for production workflows.

ESI file format reference

CategoryFormatsIn-browser viewingRedactionBates numbering
DocumentsPDF, DOCX, DOC, RTF, TXT, MD, HTML, ICSNative (PDF) / Converted (others)YesYes
SpreadsheetsXLSX, XLSM, XLS, CSV, TSV, ODSConvertedYesYes
PresentationsPPTX, PPTConvertedYesYes
ImagesJPG, PNG, GIF, BMP, TIFF, WEBP, HEICNativeYesYes
VideoMP4, MKV, MOV, AVI, WebM, FLVNativeNoNo
AudioWAV, MP3, OGG, M4A, FLACNativeNoNo
EmailEML, EMLX, PST, MSGConvertedYesYes
ArchivesZIPExtracted contentsVaries by contentVaries by content

Document formats

Hintyr supports PDF, DOCX, DOC, RTF, TXT, MD, HTML, and ICS files. PDFs open natively in the document viewer with embedded images, tables, and multi-column layouts. Most display accurately. Files with unusual fonts or DRM protection may look slightly different than in a desktop app. Word documents and other text formats convert during processing, so you can review them in your browser without downloading. HTML files are processed to extract their text content for review. ICS calendar files are parsed to extract event details such as dates, locations, attendees, and descriptions. All document formats support text extraction for AI-powered search, redaction for privilege and confidentiality, and Bates numbering for production stamping.

Spreadsheet formats

Supported spreadsheet formats include XLSX, XLSM, XLS, CSV, TSV, and ODS. XLSM files are macro-enabled Excel workbooks, which are common in financial litigation. These convert during processing so you can review them in your browser. Cell data, multiple sheets, and visual formatting like fonts, borders, and cell colors carry over. Formulas,conditional formatting, pivot tables, and charts may not appear in the converted view. Download the original when you need those details. The AI agent can read and search spreadsheet content, so you can ask it about financial data, transaction records, or other tabular ESI in your matter.

Presentation formats

Hintyr supports PowerPoint files in PPTX and PPT format. Slides convert for in-browser viewing with text, images, and layout intact. The AI agent can search slide content and answer questions about your presentations. This is especially useful when reviewing corporate communications or training materials produced during discovery.

Image formats and OCR

Supported image formats are JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP, TIFF, WEBP, and HEIC. HEIC is the default photo format on iPhones and iPads. During processing, HEIC images are analyzed for text content and converted for in-browser viewing; the original file is preserved for download. All image formats display in the viewer with zoom and fit-to-width controls. During processing, Hintyr runs optical character recognition (OCR) on images that contain text, such as scanned documents or photos of whiteboards. The extracted text becomes searchable, and the AI agent can reference it when answering your questions. OCR works best on clean, printed text. Handwritten notes, low-res scans, and non-English text may produce less accurate results. With OCR, scanned ESI that courts may consider reasonably accessible under FRCP Rule 26(b)(2) becomes part of your searchable review set.

Video formats

Hintyr supports MP4, MKV, MOV, AVI, WebM, and FLV video files. Play them in the document viewer with standard controls: play, pause, seek, and volume. Redaction and Bates numbering do not apply to video because those features target page-based document productions.

Audio formats

Supported audio formats are WAV, MP3, OGG, M4A, and FLAC. Play them directly in your browser. Like video, audio does not support redaction or Bates numbering.

Email formats for e-discovery

Hintyr supports EML, EMLX, PST, and MSG email formats. Individual email files (EML, EMLX, MSG) appear in the viewer with headers, body text, and a list of attachments. PST files are archive containers commonly collected from custodians during litigation holds. Hintyr breaks them apart during processing so each email becomes its own reviewable document. The AI agent can search email content, including subject lines, sender and recipient metadata, and body text. This helps during privilege review and responsiveness determinations.

Archive formats

ZIP archives are supported. Upload a ZIP file and Hintyr extracts its contents during processing. Each file inside becomes its own document in the case, with its own entry in the document browser, viewer support, and AI search indexing. Nested ZIPs are extracted too. This is useful when you receive collected ESI from custodians or opposing counsel in compressed format.

Upload size limits for ESI

The maximum file size is 4.5 GB per file. There is no preset limit on the number of files per case or total storage across your organization, so you can handle the volume that complex litigation demands. A stable internet connection helps with large files. If your connection drops mid-transfer, Hintyr supports resumable uploads and picks up where it left off.

Native vs. converted file viewing

Some file types display natively in your browser without conversion. PDFs, images, video, and audio fall into this category. Other types, such as Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, and email files, convert to a reviewable format during processing. Converted files keep their text, layout, and basic formatting so you can review them without downloading. The original file stays preserved and available for download. This matters for maintaining ESI integrity throughout your review and production.

Frequently asked questions

Can I upload ZIP files for e-discovery review?
Yes. When you upload a ZIP file, Hintyr extracts its contents during processing. Each file inside the archive becomes a separate reviewable document in your case, with in-browser viewing and AI search support. Nested ZIPs are extracted automatically, which is common when you ingest collected custodial data.
Are iPhone photos (HEIC) supported?
Yes. Hintyr supports HEIC files, the default photo format on iPhones and iPads. During processing, the image is analyzed for text content and converted for in-browser viewing. The original HEIC file is preserved for download.
What happens with unsupported file formats?
They're still stored in your case, but they may not be viewable in the browser or searchable by the AI agent. You can always download the original file from the document browser and review it in its native application.
Does Hintyr perform OCR on scanned documents?
Yes. Hintyr runs optical character recognition (OCR) on images and scanned PDFs during processing. The extracted text becomes searchable, and the AI agent can answer questions about scanned content the same way it handles natively digital files. OCR accuracy is highest on clean, printed text. This matters for reviewing scanned ESI that would otherwise be hard to search.
Can I download the original file after processing?
Yes. Hintyr always keeps the original native file. Even when a file converts for in-browser viewing, you can download the original anytime from the document browser. Keeping native files intact matters for maintaining ESI integrity and meeting your production obligations.

Related articles