What is MIME type "application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.spreadsheet"?

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.oasis.opendocument.spreadsheet is used for spreadsheet documents in the OASIS OpenDocument format. It stores data in tables with rows and columns, supports formulas, and handles charts and styling. This type of file is built on XML and follows an open standard, which makes sharing and editing easier between different programs.

Files using this MIME type are mainly those meant for spreadsheet work. For example, the primary spreadsheet file is represented by ODS. Variants such as the template version (OTS) and the flat XML version (FODS) also use this format.

Purpose: Designed to create, store, and manage spreadsheet data with formulas and formatting.
Interoperability: Supported by popular office suites like LibreOffice and OpenOffice, ensuring cross-platform compatibility.
Open Standard: Based on an open and non-proprietary standard for easier data exchange and long-term accessibility.
Technical Foundation: Utilizes XML, making it both human-readable and machine-processable.

For more on the OpenDocument standard, visit the OASIS website.

Associated file extensions

.odt, .ods, .otf, .odg, .odp, .odm, .odb, .odc, .odf, .otc, .ots, .ott, .otg, .oti, .otp, .oth, .odi, .fodg, .fodp, .fods, .fodt

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.spreadsheet

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.odt, .ods, .otf, .odg, .odp, .odm, .odb, .odc, .odf, .otc, .ots, .ott, .otg, .oti, .otp, .oth, .odi, .fodg, .fodp, .fods, .fodt

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.