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

FAQs

What is the primary function of the application/x-endnote-connect MIME type?

This MIME type is used to identify EndNote Connection Files, typically associated with the .enz extension. When a browser encounters this file type, it instructs the EndNote application to launch and establish a connection to a specific online bibliographic database to retrieve references.

Which software is required to open application/x-endnote-connect files?

You must have Clarivate EndNote (formerly Thomson Reuters EndNote) installed on your system. Without this specific reference management software, the operating system will likely not know how to interpret the connection parameters contained within the file.

How do I configure an Apache server to correctly serve EndNote connection files?

To ensure browsers recognize the file and trigger the correct application, add the following line to your .htaccess file or server configuration: AddType application/x-endnote-connect .enz. This tells the server to send the correct headers for files ending in .enz.

Why does my browser download the .enz file instead of opening EndNote automatically?

This usually happens if the web server is misconfigured and sending a generic MIME type like application/octet-stream, or if your browser has not been set to automatically open files with the application/x-endnote-connect type. You may need to adjust your browser's Applications or Downloads settings to "Always open with EndNote".

What is the difference between application/x-endnote-connect and application/x-endnote-refer?

While both are used by EndNote, application/x-endnote-connect is specifically for connection files (.enz) that link to databases. In contrast, application/x-endnote-refer is typically used for import files containing actual citation data (often .enw), which are used to add specific references to a library.

Is the application/x-endnote-connect MIME type a standard IANA type?

No, the x- prefix indicates that it is a proprietary or non-standard extension. It is defined specifically by the software vendor for use with the EndNote ecosystem and is not part of the standard registry maintained by IANA.

How do I add support for this MIME type in Nginx?

You can add the mapping to your mime.types file or inside a types block in your Nginx configuration. Use the following format: application/x-endnote-connect enz;. Restart Nginx to apply the 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.