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

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

application/vnd.ms-visio.stencil.main+xml denotes an XML-based file used by Microsoft Visio. It carries stencil information that holds pre-designed shapes.

This MIME type tells the system that the file contains structured XML data. It is primarily linked to VSSX files, which are used by Microsoft Visio 2013 for diagramming tasks.

Key facts:

Diagram Shapes: Contains reusable shapes and symbols for drawing.
XML Format: Uses XML to offer flexible editing and integration.
Software Integration: Ensures Visio software can read and manage stencil data correctly.
Consistency: Provides a standard way for web servers and applications to handle Visio stencil files.

For more details on Visio file types and usage, refer to external resources such as File Extension Information.

Associated file extensions

.vssx

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


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

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.vssx

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.