What is MIME type "application/vnd.ms-powerpoint.slideshow.macroenabled.12"?

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.ms-powerpoint.slideshow.macroenabled.12 is used by macro-enabled slideshow files from Microsoft PowerPoint.

It represents an Office Open XML format designed to launch a presentation directly in slideshow mode. This type embeds macros—small programs or scripts that automate tasks and add interactivity to the presentation. Files with this MIME type automatically start the show when opened rather than launching the editing interface.

These files typically use the PPSM extension.

Main use case: Delivering self-running presentations with built-in automated actions.
Functionality: The embedded macros can perform tasks like controlling slide transitions, updating content dynamically, or interacting with user inputs.
Practical deployment: They are common in corporate and educational settings where interactive, automated presentations are needed.

For extra technical details on macros and Office Open XML, check out the Microsoft VBA documentation.

Associated file extensions

.ppsm

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/vnd.ms-powerpoint.slideshow.macroenabled.12

HTML

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


    <a href="file.dat" type="application/vnd.ms-powerpoint.slideshow.macroenabled.12">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.ms-powerpoint.slideshow.macroenabled.12');
      res.end('Content here');
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.ppsm

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.