What Is XSN Format?
XSN refers to a specific type of file, used exclusively with a Microsoft Office program called InfoPath. The XSN file format contains several smaller files and parts that are essential to building a project within InfoPath. Third-party programs are unable to open a XSN file at the time of publication.
Other People Are Reading
-
InfoPath
-
InfoPath was developed by Microsoft and is used to make online forms for collecting data from website users. The forms created using the InfoPath interface don't require knowledge of website coding, and are uploaded to the Web using Microsoft SharePoint. Forms created in InfoPath are assigned the XSN file extension by default.
Cabinet File
-
XSN files are cabinet files, often referred to as CAB files, which means that they are comprised of multiple parts and files. Cabinet files are compressed, so they take up minimal space on a computer hard drive or website. The only operating system compatible with cabinet files, and by extension XSN files, is Windows.
-
Contents
-
Each XSN file contains a style sheet (XSL) file, schema (XSD) file as well as script files. The XSN also contains the images in a user's InfoPath form, such as company graphics or photographs. A user can see the individual files contained in the XSN by going to the "File" tab in InfoPath and then clicking "Extract Form Files" to see the complete list of contents.
Opening
-
Only InfoPath is capable of opening a XSN file. At the time of publication, the newest version of the software was InfoPath 2010. If you do not have the software and need to open a XSN file, download a 60-day free trial of Microsoft Office Professional Plus from the Microsoft website, which includes InfoPath. After the 60-day trial expires, you will have to purchase the program if you want to continue to use it.
-
