A ZIP file is a compressed folder containing multiple files that need to be extracted before you can use them. Teacher-Authors often use ZIP files to provide multiple files in one TPT resource.
Both Windows and Mac OSX are able to open and uncompress ZIP files without additional software. iPhones and iPads will require an additional app.
Below you’ll find step-by-step instructions on how to open a ZIP file from TPT based on the device you're using.
If your computer runs Microsoft Windows:
- Right-click on the unopened ZIP folder.
- Choose "Extract All" from the menu that opens.
- Choose a destination. This is the place where you want to keep the unzipped files. You can choose "My Documents," for example.
- Click "Extract."
You can also locate the file and extract it after downloading from Google Chrome by following these steps:
- After accessing the file, locate it using the download bar at the bottom of the Google Chrome browser, and click to open the Extraction Tool.
- Click on the button at the top of the page that says "Extract All."
- After the extraction is complete, a new folder window will open containing the files inside the ZIP. If you see a folder named _MACOSX, you can delete or ignore it. Those files are created when the ZIP is made on a Mac, and are not used by Windows.
If your computer runs Mac OSX:
- Double-click the unopened ZIP — the file should extract automatically. If that doesn't work, hold down the control key and click the ZIP file icon. Choose "Open With" and then select "Archive Utility." The utility will extract the ZIP files, and you can find them in the same folder where you downloaded them.
If you're using a Chromebook:
- Double-click on the ZIP file.
- You’ll notice that the ZIP file has been mounted and is located in the sidebar of the file manager alongside your Downloads folder, Google Drive account, and any other services you mounted.
- To extract the files from your archive, open a new file manager window, browse to or create a folder for the files, and then drag everything from one window to the other.
- This will extract those files out of the ZIP archive and make them accessible for you.
Alternatively:
- You can also use a Chrome application that can extract the contents of ZIP files and store them in your Chromebook or directly to your Google Drive.
- For this, you can use Archive Extractor, found here: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/archive-extractor/nknadlalodfadgegkigkmbhofcmkhfnc?hl=en
- Just install the Archive Extractor extension to your Google Chrome browser and you can extract the files of ZIP files directly.
If you're using a mobile iOS device, such as an iPhone or iPad:
If you're using an iPhone or iPad, you'll need to download and install an app. We recommend iZip, a popular and reliable option that is free in the App Store.
After you have the app installed, log in and go to your "My Purchases" page. Tap "Download Now" next to the zipped resource. When the download is complete, you'll be redirected to a page where you can choose how to open the file.
- Tap "Open in iZip"
- That will redirect you to iZip. Tap "OK" to extract.
- Tap the folder ("Read, Write, Build" in our example.)
- Tap the individual files within the folder, and they'll open in the appropriate program.