What is MIME type "application/x-endnote-connect"?

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

application/x-endnote-connect is a proprietary MIME type used by the EndNote Connect service. It designates a file that acts as a connector between online research sources and the EndNote reference management software.

When you click a file with this MIME type, your system knows to launch EndNote with special instructions. These instructions tell EndNote how to retrieve and import citation data automatically from an online source. The file, which typically carries the extension ENZ, contains metadata and network settings vital for establishing this link.

Main use: It triggers EndNote to import reference details seamlessly from websites and databases.
Functionality: It carries connection parameters such as URLs and retrieval instructions.
Technical detail: The MIME type uses an "x-" prefix to indicate a non-standard, vendor-specific format.
Practical scenarios: It is employed when online research platforms offer direct citation downloads, streamlining the process of adding sources to your EndNote library.

For more detailed insights, you may visit external references such as EndNote's official site or explore MIME type guides on trusted technical resources.

Associated file extensions

.enz

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/x-endnote-connect

HTML

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


    <a href="file.dat" type="application/x-endnote-connect">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/x-endnote-connect');    
      res.end('Content here');    
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.enz

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.