.xps is XML Paper Specification File
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| File type | Fixed-layout document format |
| Developed by | Microsoft |
| Similar to | PDF files |
| Widely supported? | No |
| Benefits: Platform-independent; Fixed-layout; Can be digitally signed; Good choice for archiving documents | |
| Limitations: Not as widely supported as PDF files; Cannot be edited as easily as PDF files; Not as well suited for e-books as PDF files |
What's on this Page
An XPS file, or XML Paper Specification file, is a fixed-layout document format that can be used to create, share, and print documents. XPS files are similar to PDF files, but they are based on the XML format.
XPS files contain all of the information that is needed to display and print a document, including the layout, fonts, images, and other formatting elements. This makes XPS files a good choice for archiving documents, sharing documents with others, and printing documents on a variety of devices.
XPS files can be created using a variety of software programs, including Microsoft Office applications, Windows XPS Viewer, and third-party XPS creators. XPS files can also be converted to other document formats, such as PDF, using a variety of online and offline converters.
Here are some of the benefits of using XPS files:
However, XPS files also have some limitations:
Overall, XPS is a versatile file format that can be used for a variety of purposes. However, it is important to note that XPS is not as widely supported as PDF. Therefore, it is often best to convert XPS files to PDF before sharing them with others.
There are two main ways to open an XPS file:
To open an XPS file with a third-party XPS viewer, simply open the viewer and then click on the "File" menu and select "Open". Then, navigate to the XPS file that you want to open and select it.
If you are using a Mac or Linux computer, you will need to install a third-party XPS viewer to open XPS files. There are a number of third-party XPS viewers available for both Mac and Linux.
Once you have opened an XPS file, you can view it, print it, and save it as a PDF file.
Here are some additional tips for opening XPS files:
XPS files are not designed to be edited, but there are some third-party tools that can be used to edit them. However, it is important to note that editing an XPS file can break its fixed layout.
If you need to edit an XPS file, it is best to convert it to a PDF file first. PDF files can be edited using a variety of software programs, including Adobe Acrobat Reader DC.
Once you have converted the XPS file to PDF, you can edit it using your favorite PDF editor. Once you are finished editing the PDF file, you can convert it back to XPS format using a PDF to XPS converter.
Here are some additional tips for editing XPS files:
Overall, it is important to note that editing XPS files is not recommended. XPS files are designed to be fixed-layout documents, and editing them can break their layout. If you need to edit an XPS file, it is best to convert it to PDF format first.
There are two main ways to convert an XPS file to another file:
To convert an XPS file using a third-party XPS converter, simply go to the website of the converter and then upload the XPS file that you want to convert. Then, select the file format that you want to convert the XPS file to. Finally, click on the "Convert" button to start the conversion process.
To convert an XPS file to another file using a PDF printer, simply open the XPS file and then click on the "File" menu and select "Print". Then, select the PDF printer as the printer. Finally, click on the "Print" button to start the conversion process.
Here are some additional tips for converting XPS files:
Overall, converting XPS files to other file formats is a relatively straightforward process. There are a number of third-party XPS converters available, and you can also convert XPS files to other file formats using a PDF printer.
XPS and PDF are both fixed-layout document formats that are designed to preserve the original appearance of a document when it is viewed or printed. However, there are some key differences between the two formats.
XPS:
PDF:
Which format should you use?
If you need to create a document that will be shared with a variety of people, it is best to use PDF format. PDF format is more widely supported than XPS format, and it is easier to create and edit PDF files.
If you need to create a document that will be archived or signed, you may want to consider using XPS format. XPS files are typically smaller than PDF files, and they can be digitally signed to ensure their authenticity and integrity.
Overall, PDF is the more popular and widely supported format. However, XPS is a good choice for archiving documents, sharing documents with others, and printing documents on a variety of devices.
Here are some common problems with XPS files and their solutions:
Problem: XPS file won't open.
Solution: Make sure that you have the latest version of XPS Viewer installed. If you are still having trouble opening the XPS file, try converting it to PDF format.
Problem: XPS file is corrupted.
Solution: If you think that an XPS file is corrupted, try to repair it using a third-party XPS repair tool. If the XPS file cannot be repaired, you may need to create a new XPS file from the original document.
Problem: XPS file is too large.
Solution: If an XPS file is too large, you can try to reduce its size by compressing it. You can also try to convert the XPS file to a different file format, such as PDF.
Problem: XPS file cannot be printed.
Solution: Make sure that the XPS file is not corrupted. If the XPS file is not corrupted, try to print the file using a different printer. You can also try to convert the XPS file to PDF format and then print the PDF file.
Problem: XPS file cannot be edited.
Solution: XPS files are not designed to be edited. However, there are some third-party XPS editors available. If you need to edit an XPS file, it is best to convert it to PDF format first.
Here are some additional tips for troubleshooting XPS files: