FIF is the internal page and document layout specification used by GDS internally. It defines the intent of text on a page and render preferences, but allows each format renderer (such as Word, Adobe PDF, HTML) to make the final decision on actual appearance.

This specification is only documented to development partners as required, however the majority of users do not need this specification and instead can create FIF documents indirectly by using Microsoft Word to create a format specification which is used to drive output documents.