What is MIME type "application/lotus123"?

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

The MIME type application/lotus123 identifies files created by the Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet program. It tells software that the file contains data arranged in rows and columns, with built-in formulas and formatting.

Files using this MIME type were common for business spreadsheets. They helped users manage, calculate, and analyze numerical data. Today, these files are mostly seen in legacy data collections and when converting older documents. For example, file types like WK4 (Lotus 1-2-3 Worksheet 4-5) and WK3 (Lotus 1-2-3 Worksheet 3.0) use this MIME type.

Data Organization: Supports cell-based storage for numbers, text, and formulas.
Legacy Support: Maintains compatibility with older business and financial records.
Interoperability: Some modern applications can import these files to convert or edit the data.

This MIME type helps web servers and applications correctly process the file content. For more on MIME types, visit MIME on Wikipedia.

Associated file extensions

.wk4, .wk3

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:


    Content-Type: application/lotus123

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:


    <a href="file.dat" type="application/lotus123">Download file</a>

Server-side (Node.js)

Setting the Content-Type header in Node.js:


    const http = require('http');
    
    http.createServer((req, res) => {
      res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'application/lotus123');
      res.end('Content here');
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.wk4, .wk3

FAQ

What is a MIME type?

A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.

MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.

MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.

How do I find the MIME type for a file?

You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.

Why are multiple MIME types listed for one extension?

Different applications and historical conventions may use alternative MIME identifiers for the same kind of file. Showing them all helps ensure compatibility across systems.