What is MIME type "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.vmldrawing"?

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

application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.vmldrawing defines a drawing part that uses Vector Markup Language (VML) for vector graphics. It stores drawing instructions in XML code.

This format is part of the Office Open XML standard. It is used to embed scalable, high-quality vector images into documents. The drawings can include shapes, connectors, and other visual elements that adjust smoothly when resized.

Office Document Integration: Embeds vector graphics in documents created with modern office applications.
XML-Based Definition: Uses tag-based syntax that is similar in structure to HTML.
Scalability: Ensures images do not lose clarity regardless of zoom level.

Files that incorporate this drawing format can use types such as HTML or HTM.

For more technical details, refer to the IANA Media Type Registry or check out the Wikipedia entry on VML.

Associated file extensions

.html, .htm

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.vmldrawing

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.html, .htm

FAQs

What is the purpose of the application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.vmldrawing MIME type?

This MIME type identifies a VML (Vector Markup Language) drawing part. It is primarily used within the internal structure of Office Open XML documents (like .docx or .xlsx) or in legacy HTML files exported by Microsoft Office to define scalable vector graphics.

Why is this MIME type associated with HTML and HTM extensions?

Microsoft Office applications historically used VML when saving documents as "Web Pages" (.html or .htm). Consequently, web servers might encounter this MIME type when serving legacy Office-generated HTML files that contain embedded vector shapes and connectors.

Do modern web browsers support VML drawing files?

No, native support for VML has been largely removed from modern browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. While it was supported in older versions of Internet Explorer, web developers should now use SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) and the image/svg+xml MIME type for vector images.

How do I configure my server to serve VML drawing parts?

If you are serving standalone VML files or specific Office parts, you may need to register the MIME type. For Apache, use AddType application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.vmldrawing .vml. For Nginx, add application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.vmldrawing vml; to your mime.types file.

Is application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.vmldrawing the same as DrawingML?

No, they are different standards within the Office Open XML ecosystem. This MIME type specifically refers to the legacy VML format used for backward compatibility with older Office versions, whereas modern documents primarily rely on DrawingML for complex graphics.

How can I view the contents of a file with this MIME type?

Since the format is XML-based, you can open these files in any standard text editor (like Notepad++ or VS Code) to view the code structure. To see the rendered graphic, you would typically need a legacy version of Internet Explorer or Microsoft Office.

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.