What is MIME type "application/vnd.ms-visio.drawing.main+xml"?

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-visio.drawing.main+xml identifies a file that contains a Visio drawing stored in an XML format.
This format is used by Microsoft Visio to create and manage diagrams. It allows the file to include structured data that details shapes, connectors, and page settings. The XML foundation makes it easier to extract and process the diagram’s content with other tools.
Files of this type use the extension VSDX and are common in modern Visio versions, such as Visio 2013 and later.

Business diagrams: flowcharts, process maps.
Technical drawings: network layouts, system architectures.
Organizational charts: company structures, hierarchies.

Its main functionality is to support a rich, XML-based structure that simplifies editing and exchanging complex drawings. This approach also helps in integrating the drawing data with other applications that read XML.
For more details on this MIME type, see the IANA registry.

Associated file extensions

.vsdx

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/vnd.ms-visio.drawing.main+xml

HTML

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


    <a href="file.dat" type="application/vnd.ms-visio.drawing.main+xml">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-visio.drawing.main+xml');
      res.end('Content here');
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.vsdx

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.