The format attribute is the file type of a referenced file or other information source.
The most common formats for DITA files are "dita," "xml," and "ditamap." You can also reference other formats like "pdf" and "html."
Example
<conbody> <p>Motor oil keeps your car's engine smoothly. Oil should be changed every 6000 kilometers. </p> </conbody> <related-links> <link href="../tasks/changingtheoil.dita" format="dita" type="task"> <linktext>Changing the oil</linktext> </link> </related-links>