¿Qué es XPS? Explicación de la Especificación de Papel XML
XPS es el formato de documento de diseño fijo de Microsoft y un lenguaje de descripción de páginas, una alternativa al PDF.
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What is it?
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.
Technical Specifications
Pros & Cons
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.
When to Use It
XPS is used on Windows for fixed-layout printing and document exchange.
Salida de impresión a archivo
Windows users print documents to XPS to capture an exact, shareable rendering.
Archivado de documentos
XPS preserves a fixed view of documents for record-keeping on Windows systems.
Cola de impresión
XPS underlies parts of the Windows print path as a spool format.
How to open a XPS file
XPS files, or XML Paper Specification files, are often handled by a variety of software tools that fall into distinct categories: professional applications, free/open-source options, browser-based viewers, and built-in operating system tools. Professional applications are typically suited for users who require advanced features and editing capabilities, while free and open-source tools cater to those looking for budget-friendly solutions. Browser-based viewers offer quick access without installation, and built-in tools provide basic functionality for occasional users.
When choosing software for XPS files, several factors should be considered, including feature fidelity, the need for editing versus simple viewing, cost, platform compatibility, and export capabilities. Users who require high fidelity and advanced editing features may prefer professional tools, while those who only need to view XPS files might opt for free or built-in solutions. Additionally, understanding when to convert XPS files to more widely supported formats can influence the choice of software.
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC 2023.001.20143
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is a well-known PDF viewer that also supports XPS files. It allows users to view and annotate XPS documents with high fidelity, although editing capabilities are limited compared to its PDF functionalities.
- View XPS files with high fidelity
- Annotate documents with comments
- Search text within XPS files
- Print XPS documents directly
- Fill and sign forms in XPS
- Widely recognized and trusted software
- Cross-platform availability
- Strong annotation tools for collaboration
- Limited editing capabilities for XPS
- Requires installation and updates
- Subscription model for advanced features
Exporta a: PDF, JPG, PNG
Ideal para: Choose Adobe Acrobat Reader DC for reliable XPS viewing and annotation, especially if you already use Adobe products.
Visitar Adobe Acrobat Reader DC →XPS Viewer 1.0
XPS Viewer is a lightweight application developed by Microsoft specifically for viewing XPS files. It provides a straightforward interface for opening and navigating XPS documents without the need for additional software.
- Open and view XPS files easily
- Navigate through pages with thumbnails
- Print XPS documents directly
- Zoom in and out for better readability
- Search text within the document
- Lightweight and fast performance
- No installation required on Windows 10
- Native support for XPS format
- No editing capabilities available
- Limited to Windows platform only
- Basic features compared to other tools
Exporta a: None
Ideal para: XPS Viewer is ideal for users who need a simple, no-frills solution for viewing XPS files on Windows.
Visitar XPS Viewer →Okular 1.11.0
Okular is a versatile document viewer that supports multiple file formats, including XPS. It offers a range of features for viewing and annotating documents, making it suitable for users who need more than just basic viewing capabilities.
- View and annotate XPS files
- Highlight text and add comments
- Bookmark pages for easy navigation
- Support for multiple document formats
- Text extraction from XPS documents
- Cross-platform compatibility
- Rich annotation features
- Open-source and free to use
- User interface may feel cluttered
- Performance can vary on older systems
- Limited export options compared to others
Exporta a: PDF, PNG, JPG, TIFF
Ideal para: Select Okular for a powerful, free tool that offers extensive features for viewing and annotating XPS files across multiple platforms.
Visitar Okular →PDF-XChange Editor 9.5.366.0
PDF-XChange Editor is primarily a PDF editing tool, but it also supports XPS files. It allows users to convert XPS documents to PDF and provides a range of editing features, making it a versatile choice for those who work with both formats.
- Convert XPS files to PDF
- Edit text and images in XPS
- Add annotations and comments
- Extract text and images from XPS
- Print XPS documents with options
- Comprehensive editing capabilities
- Supports conversion to PDF format
- User-friendly interface
- Free version has limited features
- Windows-only application
- May require additional plugins for full functionality
Exporta a: PDF, TIFF, JPG, PNG
Ideal para: Choose PDF-XChange Editor if you need robust editing and conversion capabilities for XPS files, particularly if you also work with PDFs.
Visitar PDF-XChange Editor →Convert XPS Files Free
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