Which MIME types are related to file extension ".bdoc"?
The .bdoc file extension is associated with 3 MIME types:
application/vnd.bdoc-1.0, application/vnd.etsi.asic-e+zip, application/x-bdoc.
A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.
About .bdoc Files
BDOC files are container files that hold digitally signed documents.
They bundle the original content with its digital signature and certificate data in one compressed archive. This keeps the document and its security details together for verification purposes.
They follow different standards, as shown by their MIME types:
- application/vnd.bdoc-1.0 – Used for BDOC 1.0 files that include basic digital signature data.
- application/vnd.etsi.asic-e+zip – Applies to BDOC 2.x files following ETSI ASiC-E standards for enhanced security.
- application/x-bdoc – Denotes a generic binary container for digitally signed documents.
Based on information from FilExt.com, BDOC files ensure legal and trusted digital communications in sectors like government and business.
Relationship between file extension and MIME type
A file extension is a suffix at the end of a filename that indicates what type of file it is. File extensions help both users and operating systems identify what application should be used to open the file.
File extensions are typically separated from the filename by a period (dot) and consist of 2-4 characters, though they can be longer. For example, in the filename "document.pdf", ".pdf" is the file extension.
File extensions are closely related to MIME types, as they both serve to identify the format of a file. However, while MIME types are used primarily by web browsers and servers, file extensions are used by operating systems and applications.
Associated MIME types
application/vnd.bdoc-1.0, application/vnd.etsi.asic-e+zip, application/x-bdoc
FAQs
How do I open a .bdoc file on my computer?
You need to install the DigiDoc4 Client, which is part of the standard ID-software package used primarily in Estonia. This software allows you to view the documents contained within the archive and verify the digital signatures. Without this specific software, Windows or macOS cannot natively display the contents of a .bdoc file.
Can I convert a BDOC file to PDF?
You cannot convert the entire container to PDF, but you can extract the PDF stored inside it. Open the .bdoc file using the DigiDoc client, locate the signed document (often a PDF) within the container, and save it to your computer. The .bdoc file itself is just a digital envelope holding the PDF and the signature data.
What is inside a BDOC file?
A .bdoc file is a compressed container (similar to a ZIP file) that holds one or more original files plus a digital signature file (XML) and security certificates. This structure ensures that the document integrity is preserved and that the signature is legally valid under standards like ETSI ASiC-E.
How can I open a BDOC file on a mobile device?
To open these files on Android or iOS, you should download the RIA DigiDoc mobile application. This app allows you to open encrypted and digitally signed documents directly on your phone or tablet. You can also use the app to sign new documents using Mobile-ID or Smart-ID.
Is a BDOC file the same as an ASiC-E file?
Yes, modern .bdoc files (version 2.1 and later) are based on the ASiC-E (Associated Signature Containers - Extended) standard. Because of this compliance, they often use the MIME type application/vnd.etsi.asic-e+zip to ensure compatibility across different European digital signature systems.
Why does my email server block BDOC files?
Some email servers may block .bdoc attachments because they are binary containers that can hold other files, similar to ZIP archives. To fix this, ensure your server is configured to accept the correct MIME types, such as application/vnd.bdoc-1.0 or application/x-bdoc. You can verify these configurations at mime-type.com.
Can I rename the extension from .bdoc to .zip to open it?
Yes, in many cases you can rename the extension to .zip and open it to see the raw contents, as the format is based on ZIP compression. However, this will only allow you to extract the raw files; you will not be able to verify the validity of the digital signatures without the proper DigiDoc software.
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 can one extension have multiple MIME types?
Different programs and historical usage may assign various MIME identifiers to the same file format. Listing them together helps maintain compatibility across tools.