About Document Formats
Microsoft published the specs for XML file formats in 2003 and
licensed them to competitors. Over the years there has been a push
toward an open standards environment, and currently Open XML and Open
Document Format (ODF) are at the forefront. The XML format is very much
in favor because data in a file can be reused. This reuse was not
possible with binary file formats. The XML format is expected to be the
future of document file formats