What is MIME type "application/vnd.groove-tool-template"?

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

The MIME type application/vnd.groove-tool-template indicates a vendor-specific template file used by Microsoft Groove tools. It is designed to act as a blueprint that saves default layouts, settings, and design elements for consistent project creation.

Files with this MIME type use the extension TPL. They usually hold configuration data that the Groove software reads to quickly set up a new collaboration session or tool environment.

Key functions include:

Layout templates: Provide default structures to streamline new project creation.
Configuration presets: Carry prearranged settings for consistency across sessions.
Design uniformity: Ensure that tools have a standard look and feel.
Efficiency: Reduce setup time by reusing established formats.

The file works within the Groove ecosystem, and only compatible Groove applications can fully read and apply its contents. For official details on this MIME type, visit the IANA MIME Type Registry.

Associated file extensions

.tpl

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/vnd.groove-tool-template

HTML

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


    <a href="file.dat" type="application/vnd.groove-tool-template">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/vnd.groove-tool-template');    
      res.end('Content here');    
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.tpl

FAQs

Which software opens files with the MIME type application/vnd.groove-tool-template?

These files are proprietary and designed for Microsoft Groove, which was later rebranded as Microsoft SharePoint Workspace. You must have the specific Groove client software installed to correctly interpret the layout and configuration data inside the tpl file.

How do I configure Apache to serve Groove Tool Templates correctly?

To ensure your Apache server sends the correct headers for these files, add the following line to your .htaccess file or main configuration: AddType application/vnd.groove-tool-template .tpl. This prevents browsers from misinterpreting the file as a generic text or binary object.

Are all .tpl files associated with this MIME type?

No, the .tpl extension is highly ambiguous and is commonly used by web template engines like Smarty or CakePHP. The MIME type application/vnd.groove-tool-template specifically distinguishes Microsoft Groove binary templates from these text-based web development files.

What is the Nginx configuration for application/vnd.groove-tool-template?

For Nginx servers, you should edit your mime.types file or the specific server block configuration. Add the following mapping inside the types block: application/vnd.groove-tool-template tpl;.

Why does my browser force a download for this file type?

Web browsers do not have built-in engines to render Microsoft Groove templates. When a server sends the application/vnd.groove-tool-template header, the browser treats the content as an unknown external application file and prompts the user to save it to their device.

Is it safe to open files with this MIME type?

Generally, these are configuration files, but you should only open them if they come from a trusted source. Since they are used by legacy software (Groove/SharePoint Workspace), ensure your software is patched to avoid vulnerabilities associated with parsing older proprietary file formats.

General 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.