Which MIME types are related to file extension ".vstm"?
The .vstm file extension is associated with 3 MIME types:
application/vnd.ms-visio.template.macroenabled.12, application/vnd.ms-visio.template.macroenabled.main+xml, application/vnd.visio.
A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.
About .vstm Files
VSTM files are macro-enabled Visio templates.
They store pre-defined diagram layouts, styles, and automation features using macros. These files help users create consistent diagrams quickly in Microsoft Visio.
- Main Use: Creating reusable Visio templates with built-in macros.
- Technical Details: Based on Office Open XML, these templates use MIME types like application/vnd.ms-visio.template.macroenabled.12 and application/vnd.ms-visio.template.macroenabled.main+xml to signal enhanced functionality.
- Software Support: Open them with Microsoft Visio (2013 or later) to edit or run the macros.
- Other Uses: Serving as a standardized starting point for new diagrams and automating diagram creation tasks.
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.ms-visio.template.macroenabled.12, application/vnd.ms-visio.template.macroenabled.main+xml, application/vnd.visio
FAQs
How do I open a VSTM file?
You need Microsoft Visio 2013 or newer to fully utilize these files. Since a .vstm is a template, double-clicking it usually creates a new drawing file (typically .vsdm) based on the template's layout and macros, rather than opening the template file itself for editing.
What is the difference between VSTM and VSTX files?
The primary difference is automation capability. A VSTX file is a standard Visio template, whereas a VSTM file is "macro-enabled," meaning it stores Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) code to automate tasks. Standard .vstx files cannot store macros for security reasons.
Is it safe to open a VSTM file?
You should exercise caution. Because VSTM files contain executable macros, they can potentially harbor malware or viruses. You should only enable macros if you received the file from a trusted source, similar to handling Excel .xlsm files.
Can I view a VSTM file without purchasing Visio?
Yes, you can use the free Microsoft Visio Viewer to open the file. While this allows you to view, pan, and zoom into the diagram, you cannot edit the layout or run the embedded macros without the full Visio application.
How do I convert a VSTM file to PDF?
Open the template in Microsoft Visio, navigate to File > Save As, and select PDF from the file type list. This will generate a static document of the diagram, but note that the resulting PDF will not retain any of the original macro functionality.
What MIME type should be used for serving VSTM files?
The specific MIME type for these files is application/vnd.ms-visio.template.macroenabled.main+xml or application/vnd.ms-visio.template.macroenabled.12. Configuring your server with these types, as listed on mime-type.com, ensures browsers recognize the file as a Visio template.
Can I open VSTM files on a Mac?
Microsoft Visio does not have a native macOS desktop application. Mac users generally view these files using Visio Viewer in a web browser or third-party tools like OmniGraffle (though macro support is limited). For full functionality, running Windows via a virtual machine is recommended.
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.