What is MIME type "image/x-multi-palette-picture"?

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

image/x-multi-palette-picture is a specialized MIME type that stores images with multiple color palettes.
It allows one file to hold several sets of color data. This helps programs quickly change the image’s appearance without redrawing it.

Main use case: Dynamic color swapping in graphics software and game design.
Other uses: Managing visual themes, supporting animation frames, and handling legacy graphic content.

Files of this type use the extension MPP.
This format is efficient for applications that require flexible image color management.
More details on MIME types can be found at this MIME reference.

Associated file extensions

.mpp

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:


    Content-Type: image/x-multi-palette-picture

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:


    <a href="file.dat" type="image/x-multi-palette-picture">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', 'image/x-multi-palette-picture');    
      res.end('Content here');    
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.mpp

FAQs

Can I view image/x-multi-palette-picture files directly in my web browser?

No, modern web browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge do not support image/x-multi-palette-picture natively. To display this content on a website, you must convert the file to a standard web image format like png or jpeg.

Why does my .mpp file open in Microsoft Project instead of an image viewer?

The .mpp extension is primarily associated with Microsoft Project files (application/vnd.ms-project). Because image/x-multi-palette-picture is a rare, non-standard format, most operating systems default to opening .mpp files as project management documents rather than images.

How do I configure Apache to serve .mpp files as images?

To force your Apache server to serve .mpp files as images rather than MS Project files, add the following line to your .htaccess or httpd.conf file: AddType image/x-multi-palette-picture .mpp. Be aware that this may prevent users from downloading valid Microsoft Project files correctly.

What is the primary advantage of using this MIME type?

The main advantage is dynamic palette swapping. It allows software to render the same bitmap data with different color sets instantly, which is useful for creating visual variations in games or applications without storing multiple image files.

Is image/x-multi-palette-picture a standard IANA media type?

No, the x- prefix indicates that this is a non-standard or experimental MIME type. It is not officially registered with the IANA and is generally used only within specific proprietary applications or legacy systems.

How can I convert an image/x-multi-palette-picture file to PNG?

You will likely need specialized graphics software or a legacy format converter that supports multi-palette bitmaps. Standard online converters may fail because they often mistake the file for a Microsoft Project document due to the shared .mpp extension.

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.