What is XPS? XML Paper Specification Explained
XPS is Microsoft's fixed-layout document format and page description language, an alternative to PDF.
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What is XPS?
XPS (XML Paper Specification) is a fixed-layout document format and page description language developed by Microsoft, introduced with Windows Vista in 2006. It preserves a document's exact appearance across devices, similar in purpose to PDF.
An XPS file is a ZIP-based package (using the Open Packaging Conventions) containing XAML-based markup that describes each page's text, vector graphics and images. It supports device- and resolution-independence, color management and print-oriented features.
How XPS Works
An XPS document is a ZIP package built on the Open Packaging Conventions, the same container concept as Office Open XML, containing a FixedDocumentSequence and per-page markup that uses a subset of XAML to place text glyphs, vector paths, and images at exact coordinates.[2] Because layout is fixed, the rendered appearance is intended to be identical across devices and printers.[1]
History and Role
Microsoft introduced XPS with Windows Vista and the .NET Framework 3.0 in 2006, positioning it both as a document format and as a print spool format in the Windows printing pipeline.[3] Windows shipped a Microsoft XPS Document Writer virtual printer and a built-in XPS Viewer to create and read the files.[1]
XPS vs PDF and Limitations
XPS overlaps heavily with PDF in purpose but never achieved comparable cross-platform adoption, remaining largely tied to the Windows ecosystem.[2] Microsoft later deprecated the bundled XPS Viewer in recent Windows releases, making it an optional component, which has further limited everyday use of the format.[3]
MKV Technical Specifications
XPS vs Other Document Formats
| Feature | XPS | |
|---|---|---|
| Structure/type | Zipped XML[2] | Page objects |
| Editable | No | Limited |
| Layout | Fixed[1] | Fixed |
| Standardized by | Microsoft | ISO |
| App support | Mainly Windows[3] | Broad |
| Best for | Windows fixed docs | Universal distribution |
XPS is a fixed-layout format like PDF but is primarily supported within the Windows ecosystem.
Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages
XPS preserves a document's exact appearance across devices and printers, much like PDF, making it reliable for sharing finished documents.
Windows includes an XPS viewer and a print-to-XPS driver, so the format can be created and read without extra software.
Its ZIP-and-XML structure based on Open Packaging Conventions makes the content accessible to standard tools.
Disadvantages
PDF dominates the fixed-layout space, so XPS is rarely used and many programs cannot open it.
XPS is primarily a Windows format, with limited native support on macOS, Linux and mobile devices.
Common Use Cases
XPS is used on Windows for fixed-layout printing and document exchange.
Print-to-file output | FileFormer
Windows users print documents to XPS to capture an exact, shareable rendering.
Document archiving | FileFormer
XPS preserves a fixed view of documents for record-keeping on Windows systems.
Print spooling | FileFormer
XPS underlies parts of the Windows print path as a spool format.
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Try Document Converter FreeFrequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between XPS and PDF?
Both are fixed-layout document formats, but PDF is an open ISO standard from Adobe with broad cross-platform support, while XPS is a Microsoft format primarily used on Windows with limited adoption.
How do I open an XPS file?
On Windows you can use the built-in XPS Viewer, though it may need to be added as an optional feature. You can also convert XPS to PDF using various tools to open it elsewhere.
What is the difference between XPS and OXPS?
XPS is the original Microsoft format used in Windows Vista and 7, while OXPS is the standardized OpenXPS version (ECMA-388) that became the default in Windows 8. The two are not fully compatible.
Can I convert XPS to PDF?
Yes. Many tools and online converters can turn XPS files into PDF, making them viewable in any standard PDF reader and easier to share across platforms.