Which MIME types are related to file extension ".ots"?

The .ots file extension is associated with 20 MIME types:

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

About .ots Files

OTS files are OpenDocument Spreadsheet Template files intended as starting points for spreadsheets.
They use the OpenDocument standard. This standard lets you save layouts, formulas, and formatting in a reusable file.

Main Use: Creating spreadsheet templates for programs like LibreOffice Calc or Apache OpenOffice.
MIME-Type: They usually use the MIME type application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.spreadsheet-template (or its variant application/x-vnd.oasis.opendocument.spreadsheet-template), which tells systems they are template files.
Additional Context: Some OTS files are also linked to the OpenTimestamps protocol. In this case, they hold cryptographic timestamp proofs and use the general application/octet-stream type.

Based on information from FilExt.com, most OTS files are used with office suites to standardize and quickly create new spreadsheets, while a few may serve in cryptographic timestamping.
Choose the right software based on how the file is used.

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

FAQs

What software opens an OTS file?

You can open OTS files using free open-source suites like LibreOffice Calc or Apache OpenOffice. Modern versions of Microsoft Excel also support the OpenDocument format and can open these templates directly.

How do I convert an OTS file to Excel (.XLSX)?

Open the template in LibreOffice Calc or Microsoft Excel. Navigate to File > Save As, and select "Microsoft Excel Workbook (.xlsx)" from the format dropdown menu to save it in the standard Excel format.

What is the difference between .OTS and .ODS files?

An .ODS file contains your actual spreadsheet data, whereas an .OTS file is a template used as a blueprint. When you double-click an OTS file, your software typically creates a new, empty ODS spreadsheet that inherits the template's formatting and formulas.

Why won't my OTS file open in a spreadsheet program?

If the file fails to open in Excel or LibreOffice, it might be an OpenTimestamps proof file rather than a spreadsheet. These are binary files used for cryptographic verification and require specific tools like the OpenTimestamps client, often treated as application/octet-stream.

Can I use OTS files on macOS?

Yes, macOS users can open these files using LibreOffice for Mac, NeoOffice, or Apache OpenOffice. Apple's native Numbers app can also import OpenDocument files, though complex formatting may shift during the conversion.

What is the correct MIME type for serving OTS files?

The standard MIME type for these templates is application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.spreadsheet-template. For detailed configuration on web servers or to view related types, you can check mime-type.com.

Are OTS files safe to open?

Generally, yes, but like any office document, they can contain macros or scripts. It is best practice to disable macros upon opening unless you trust the source of the file.

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.