Which MIME types are related to file extension ".sdm"?
The .sdm file extension is associated with 9 MIME types:
application/vnd.stardivision.calc, application/vnd.stardivision.chart, application/vnd.stardivision.draw, application/vnd.stardivision.impress, application/vnd.stardivision.impress-packed, application/vnd.stardivision.mail, application/vnd.stardivision.math, application/vnd.stardivision.writer, application/vnd.stardivision.writer-global.
A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.
About .sdm Files
SDM files are StarOffice Mail documents in a proprietary binary format used by the StarDivision suite.
They store email messages and related data generated by StarOffice.
They use associated MIME types like application/vnd.stardivision.mail from a family that also includes formats for spreadsheets, presentations, drawings, math objects, and word processing.
- They belong to a legacy set of StarOffice binary file formats.
- They encapsulate email content, formatting, and metadata.
- They require dedicated software such as StarOffice or compatible programs like LibreOffice to open or edit.
- They are now seldom seen in modern computing environments.
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.stardivision.calc, application/vnd.stardivision.chart, application/vnd.stardivision.draw, application/vnd.stardivision.impress, application/vnd.stardivision.impress-packed, application/vnd.stardivision.mail, application/vnd.stardivision.math, application/vnd.stardivision.writer, application/vnd.stardivision.writer-global
FAQs
What is an .sdm file?
An .sdm file is a legacy email message document created by StarOffice (specifically the StarMail component). It stores the email body and headers in a proprietary binary format associated with the MIME type application/vnd.stardivision.mail.
How do I open an .sdm file on Windows or macOS?
You can open .sdm files using LibreOffice or Apache OpenOffice, which are the modern successors to StarOffice. You may need to launch the program first and use the File > Open menu to manually select the file, as modern operating systems likely won't recognize the extension automatically.
Can I convert an .sdm file to PDF or Word?
Yes, once you successfully open the file in LibreOffice, you can use the Export as PDF feature or Save As to convert the content to Microsoft Word (.doc / .docx) or OpenDocument Text (.odt). Direct online converters usually do not support this obscure legacy format.
Why can't I open .sdm files in Microsoft Outlook?
Microsoft Outlook does not support the proprietary StarDivision architecture. To view the content in Outlook, you must first open the .sdm file in a compatible suite like OpenOffice, then copy and paste the text into a new email or save it as a text file.
Is the .sdm format still in use?
No, the .sdm format is considered obsolete and has been replaced by standard email formats like .eml and the OpenDocument standard. It belongs to a family of legacy MIME types that includes application/vnd.stardivision.writer and is rarely encountered in modern computing.
What should I do if LibreOffice cannot open the file?
If modern versions of LibreOffice fail to open the file, the data may be corrupted or the legacy import filter might have been removed. In extreme cases, you may need to find an old installer for StarOffice 5.2 or an early version of OpenOffice running in a virtual machine to access the data.
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.