OLS File – What is .ols file and how to open it?
OLS File Extension
Microsoft Office List Shortcut – file format by Microsoft
The OLS file extension (Microsoft Office List Shortcut) is a file type developed by Microsoft that stores a list of one or more Microsoft Office documents. The OLS file contains shortcuts to the original documents, allowing users to quickly and easily access them from a single location.
Definition of an OLS File
The file extension .OLS, short for Microsoft Office List Shortcut, signifies a type of file created by Microsoft Office applications, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. An OLS file is a specific type of shortcut that provides a quick and easy way to access a list created within one of these Microsoft Office programs. Users can create custom lists to categorize and organize data like names, tasks, or inventory items.
An OLS file acts as a pointer to the original list file, typically stored in the “My Lists” folder under the user’s Documents directory. Instead of opening the source application and navigating through the list creation process, users can simply double-click on the OLS file to instantly access and modify the associated list. This eliminates the need to manually recreate the list each time it needs to be used, saving time and effort in the process.
Opening OLS Files in Microsoft Office Applications
OLS files, or Microsoft Office List Shortcuts, are special files associated with Microsoft Office applications. They contain a list of recent files that have been opened in the corresponding application, making it easy to access them again quickly. To open an OLS file, simply double-click on it. This will launch the associated Office application and open the list of recent files. You can then select the file you want to open from the list. Alternatively, you can open an OLS file from within an Office application by clicking on the “File” menu, then selecting “Open.” This will open a file browser window where you can navigate to the OLS file and open it.
Opening OLS Files with Third-Party Applications
In addition to opening OLS files in Microsoft Office applications, you can also open them using third-party applications. There are a number of different software programs that can open and view OLS files, including text editors, office suites, and file viewers. Some popular third-party applications that can open OLS files include Notepad++, OpenOffice, and File Viewer Plus. Once you have installed a third-party application that can open OLS files, you can simply double-click on the file to open it in the application. You can also open an OLS file from within the application by clicking on the “File” menu, then selecting “Open.” This will open a file browser window where you can navigate to the OLS file and open it.
Microsoft Office List Shortcut (.OLS) File Format
The Microsoft Office List Shortcut (.OLS) file format is a proprietary file format used by Microsoft Outlook to create shortcuts to frequently used lists within the application. These lists can include task lists, address books, distribution lists, or any other custom lists created within Outlook. OLS files are typically used to provide quick access to commonly used lists, saving users time and effort from having to manually navigate through Outlook to find them.
OLS files are relatively small in size and contain a reference to the original list’s location within the Outlook data file (.PST or .OST). When an OLS file is opened, Outlook automatically navigates to the corresponding list, allowing users to access and interact with the list directly. Additionally, OLS files can also be used to share lists with other Outlook users, simplifying collaboration and task management within organizations.