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

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.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.template marks files that are used as templates in Microsoft Word. It tells programs and servers that this is a blueprint file for new documents.

It provides a preset layout with styles, formatting, and content.
It helps maintain consistency in documents across an organization.
It can include special features like macros when needed.
It is part of the Office Open XML family used in modern Microsoft Office applications.

This MIME type is mainly known for its use with DOTX files, which are dedicated template files for Word. Other file types commonly associated with Microsoft Word include DOCX, DOC, DOCM, DOT, and DOTM.

Learn more on IANA

Associated file extensions

.docx, .doc, .dotx, .docm, .dot, .dotm

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.template

HTML

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


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

Associated file extensions

.docx, .doc, .dotx, .docm, .dot, .dotm

FAQs

Which file extension corresponds to this MIME type?

This MIME type is specifically associated with the .dotx file extension. Unlike standard Word documents (.docx), a .dotx file serves as a template or blueprint used to generate new documents with consistent formatting and styles.

How do I configure Apache to serve .dotx files correctly?

To ensure browsers handle Word templates correctly, add the following line to your .htaccess file or httpd.conf: AddType application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.template .dotx. Without this, servers might send the file as a generic binary stream.

Why is my browser downloading a ZIP file instead of a Word template?

This occurs because Office Open XML files (like .dotx) are technically compressed XML archives. If the server does not declare the correct MIME type, the browser defaults to application/zip. Configuring the server with the correct MIME type fixes this issue.

Does this MIME type support macros?

No, this MIME type is strictly for macro-free templates. If your template requires macros (VBA), you must use the .dotm extension, which uses the MIME type application/vnd.ms-word.template.macroEnabled.12.

How do I set this MIME type in Nginx?

You can add the type definition to your mime.types file or include it directly in your server block: types { application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.template dotx; }. Remember to reload Nginx after saving the configuration.

What is the difference between this MIME type and application/msword?

application/msword is the legacy MIME type used for binary Word files (.doc, .dot) from Word 97-2003. The MIME type application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.template is for the modern, XML-based .dotx format used in Office 2007 and later.

Why should I use this MIME type instead of the standard document type?

Using the template MIME type ensures that when a user opens the file, Word creates a new, unsaved document based on the template rather than opening the template file itself for editing. This protects the original master file from accidental changes.

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.