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

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

application/vnd.groove-vcard is a MIME type used to package digital business card data for collaborative platforms like Groove. It encapsulates structured contact information tailored for team communication and sharing.

This file format stores details such as a person’s name, telephone number, email address, and additional metadata specific to collaborative usage. Systems that recognize this MIME type can automatically process and display the contact information correctly. Files of this type use the VCG file extension.

Key use cases include:

Mainly used for the exchange of digital contact cards within collaborative environments.
Supports group contact management with extra metadata tailored for teamwork software.
Integrates seamlessly within applications like Microsoft Office Groove to facilitate communication.

For additional background on similar file formats, visit Wikipedia – vCard.

Associated file extensions

.vcg

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/vnd.groove-vcard

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.vcg

FAQs

What is the primary file extension for application/vnd.groove-vcard?

The primary file extension associated with this MIME type is .vcg. It is a proprietary format used specifically by Microsoft Office Groove (later SharePoint Workspace) for exchanging digital contact cards.

How does application/vnd.groove-vcard differ from text/vcard?

While both formats store contact data, application/vnd.groove-vcard is a vendor-specific (vnd) binary format optimized for the Groove platform. Standard vCards use text/vcard (usually with a .vcf extension) and are text-based for universal compatibility across email clients and mobile devices.

How do I configure Apache to serve .vcg files correctly?

To ensure your server sends the correct headers, add the following line to your .htaccess file or httpd.conf: AddType application/vnd.groove-vcard .vcg. This helps client software identify the file as a Groove vCard rather than a generic binary stream.

Why does my browser download the file instead of opening it?

Most modern web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge) do not have native support for rendering application/vnd.groove-vcard content. Consequently, the browser forces a download so the file can be opened by a local application like SharePoint Workspace.

Can I open a .vcg file without Microsoft Groove?

Generally, no. Because application/vnd.groove-vcard uses a proprietary structure, standard contact managers (like Outlook or Apple Contacts) cannot read it directly. You usually need the specific collaborative software that generated it to view the data.

Is it possible to convert a Groove vCard to a standard vCard?

Yes, but usually not directly through a file converter. The standard workflow is to import the .vcg file into Microsoft Groove/SharePoint Workspace and then export the contact as a standard .vcf file.

How do I add this MIME type to IIS?

In the Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager, navigate to 'MIME Types', click 'Add', and enter .vcg as the file name extension and application/vnd.groove-vcard as the MIME type. This ensures IIS serves the files with the correct content type.

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.