Open XML Paper Specification

The XPS document format consists of structured XML markup that defines the layout of a document and the visual appearance of each page, along with rendering rules for distributing, archiving, rendering, processing and printing the documents. Notably, the markup language for XPS is a subset of XAML, allowing it to incorporate vector elements in documents.

An XPS file is a ZIP archive using the Open Packaging Conventions, containing the files which make up the document. These include an XML markup file for each page, text, embedded fonts, raster images, 2D vector graphics, as well as the digital rights management information. The contents of an XPS file can be examined by opening it in an application which supports ZIP files.

There are two incompatible XPS formats available. The original document writer printed to .xps in Windows 7 and Windows Vista. Beginning with Windows 8, the document writer defaults to the .oxps format.{{cite web |first=Mitch |last=Prince |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/mitchp/archive/2012/09/25/xps-and-oxps-file-support-in-windows-7-and-windows-8.aspx |title=XPS and OXPS file support in Windows 7 and Windows 8 |url-status=dead |work=Mitch Prince's Blog |publisher=Microsoft |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121216040358/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/mitchp/archive/2012/09/25/xps-and-oxps-file-support-in-windows-7-and-windows-8.aspx |archive-date=16 December 2012 |access-date=3 December 2012 }}

Microsoft provides two free converters. XpsConverter converts documents between .xps and .oxps format,{{cite web |title=XpsConverter |url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/devtest/xpsconverter |website=Microsoft Learn |date=2021-12-15}} while OxpsConverter converts documents from .oxps to .xps format.{{cite web|url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2732059/en-us|title=You cannot open an .oxps file in Windows 7 or in Windows Server 2008 R2|website=Microsoft Support|access-date=2022-11-04}}

XPS specifies a set of document layout functionality for paged, printable documents. It also has support for features such as color gradients, transparencies, CMYK color spaces, printer calibration, multiple-ink systems and print schemas. XPS supports the Windows Color System color management technology for color conversion precision across devices and higher dynamic range. It includes a software raster image processor (RIP) (downloadable separately).{{cite web|url= https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/gg463352(v=msdn.10) |title= Reference Raster Image Processor (RIP) |website=Microsoft Learn |date= 2007-01-09 |access-date= 2022-11-04}} The print subsystem supports named colors, simplifying color definition for images transmitted to printers supporting those colors.

XPS supports HD Photo images natively for raster images.{{cite web |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/pix/archive/2007/03/12/hd-photo.aspx |url-status=dead |title= HD Photo|website=Windows Live Photo & Video Blog |publisher=Microsoft |date=12 Mar 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305073853/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/pix/archive/2007/03/12/hd-photo.aspx |archive-date=5 March 2016}}

The XPS format used in the spool file represents advanced graphics effects such as 3D images, glow effects, and gradients as Windows Presentation Foundation primitives, which printer drivers could offload their rasterization to the printer in order to reduce computational load if the printer is capable of rasterizing those primitives.{{citation needed|date=March 2015}}

Like PDF, XPS is a page description language using fixed-layout document format designed to preserve document fidelity,{{cite news|last=Foley |first=Mary Jo |url=http://www.microsoft-watch.com/content/operating_systems/microsoft_readies_new_document_printing_specification.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130128190142/http://www.microsoft-watch.com/content/operating_systems/microsoft_readies_new_document_printing_specification.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-01-28 |title=Microsoft Readies New Document Printing Specification |website=Microsoft Watch|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=2005-04-25 |access-date=2009-12-10|place=Seattle}} providing device-independent document appearance. PDF uses Carousel Object Syntax (COS syntax) to form a random access database of objects that may be created from PostScript or generated directly from applications, whereas XPS is based on XML. Both formats are compressed, albeit using different methods. The filter pipeline architecture of XPS is also similar to the one used in printers supporting the PostScript page description language. PDF includes dynamic capabilities purposely not supported by the XPS format.{{cite web|url=http://www.amyuni.com/blog/?p=8 |title=Comparison of PDF, XPS and ODF by an ISV providing PDF solutions |publisher=Amyuni |access-date=2009-12-10}}{{failed verification|date=November 2022}} There are many resources for converting from XPS to PDF and some for converting from PDF to XPS. A method often suggested is to open an XPS file in a program with printing capability, and then "print" to a virtual PDF printer such as Microsoft Print to PDF,{{cite web |title=Easy steps for converting XPS files to PDF |author= |website=Adobe |date=n.d. |access-date=6 January 2022 |url= https://www.adobe.com/documentcloud/acrobat/hub/how-to/steps-to-convert-xps-to-pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714091150/https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/hub/how-to/steps-to-convert-xps-to-pdf|archivedate=2022-07-14|url-status=live}} with a similar procedure to convert from PDF to XPS.

Windows Vista and later supports both creating and viewing XPS.{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/features/xps.aspx |title=XPS Documents |website=Microsoft Windows |access-date=2009-12-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100111103219/http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/features/xps.aspx|archive-date=2010-01-11|url-status=dead}} In addition, the printing architecture of Windows Vista uses XPS as the spooler format.

Apps can create XPS documents by printing to XPS Document Writer, a virtual printer that comes bundled with Windows. These files open in XPS Viewer, an optional component that comes with Windows Vista and later. In Windows Vista, XPS is hosted within Internet Explorer, but in subsequent versions, it is a standalone app. Both versions support digital rights management and digital signatures. Windows 8 also comes with an app called "Reader", which reads XPS and PDF files.{{failed verification|date=November 2022}}

The .NET Framework 3.0 installer for Windows XP also adds the IE-hosted XPS Viewer, as well as XPS Document Writer. Since then, Microsoft released the XPS Essentials Pack for Windows XP, Server 2003, and Vista,{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=b8dcffdd-e3a5-44cc-8021-7649fd37ffee&displaylang=en|title=Microsoft XML Paper Specification Essentials Pack|website=Microsoft|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203104253/http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=b8dcffdd-e3a5-44cc-8021-7649fd37ffee&displaylang=en|archive-date=2009-02-03|url-status=dead|date=2008-11-04}} which includes the standalone viewer, an IFilter plug-in that helps Windows Desktop Search index the contents of XPS files, and another plug-in for Windows Explorer to help generate thumbnails for XPS files.{{cite web |title=View and Generate XPS |url=http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/xps/viewxps.mspx |publisher=Microsoft |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091214220525/http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/xps/viewxps.mspx |archive-date=2009-12-14 |access-date=2020-02-14}} Installing this pack enables operating systems prior to Windows Vista to use the XPS print spooler{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=11816 |title=Microsoft XML Paper Specification Essentials Pack|website=Microsoft Download Center|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726164520/http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=11816|archive-date=2011-07-26|url-status=dead|date=2010-02-12}} instead of the older GDI-based spooler.{{cite web|url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/hardware/gg463397.aspx |title=XPS and Color Printing Enhancements in Windows Vista |website=Microsoft Windows |date=2007-12-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616150808/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/hardware/gg463397.aspx|archive-date=2011-06-16|url-status=dead}} The XPS print spooler can produce better quality prints for printers that directly consume the XPS format.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120429040748/http://download.microsoft.com/download/9/c/5/9c5b2167-8017-4bae-9fde-d599bac8184a/XPSDrv_FilterPipe.docx|title=XPSDrv Filter Pipeline: Implementation and Best Practices|publisher=Microsoft|date=2008-02-07|url=http://download.microsoft.com/download/9/c/5/9c5b2167-8017-4bae-9fde-d599bac8184a/XPSDrv_FilterPipe.docx|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-04-29|format=DOCX}}

XPS had the support of printing companies such as Konica Minolta, Sharp,{{cite web|url=http://www.sharpusa.com/products/FunctionPressReleaseSingle/0,1080,650-5,00.html# |title=Sharp Open Systems Architecture supports XPS in multi-function printers |publisher=Sharpusa.com |access-date=2009-12-10}} Canon, Epson, Hewlett-Packard,{{cite web|last=Monckton |first=Paul |url=http://www.itweek.co.uk/personal-computer-world/features/2167665/photo-printing-under-windows |title=IT Week 10 November 2006, Canon, Epson and HP support for XPS |publisher=Itweek.co.uk |access-date=2009-12-10}} and Xerox{{cite web|url=http://www.fujixerox.co.jp/eng/headline/2006/1128_withms.html |title=Fuji Xerox and Microsoft Collaborate in Document Management Solutions Field |publisher=Fujixerox.co.jp |date=2006-11-28 |access-date=2009-12-10}} and software and hardware companies such as CSR (formerly Zoran),{{cite web|url=http://www.zoran.com/IPS-XPS |title=Ips Xps |publisher=Zoran.com |access-date=2009-12-10}} and Global Graphics.{{cite web |url=http://www.globalgraphics.com/xps/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060312114419/http://www.globalgraphics.com/xps/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 12, 2006 |title=Solutions for XPS document sharing and native XPS printing |publisher=Globalgraphics.com |access-date=2009-12-10 }} Native XPS printers were introduced by Canon, Konica Minolta, Toshiba, and Xerox.{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/xps/showcase.mspx |title=XPS Technology Showcase |publisher=Microsoft.com |date=2007-04-19 |access-date=2009-12-10}} Devices at the Certified for Windows level of Windows Logo conformance certification were required to have XPS drivers for printing since 1 June 2007.{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/winlogo/hwrequirements.mspx |title=Windows Logo Program Requirements and Policies |publisher=Microsoft.com |access-date=2009-12-10}}

Microsoft released XPS under a royalty-free patent license called the Community Promise for XPS,{{cite web |title=Community Promise for XPS |url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/Dn653988.aspx |publisher=Microsoft |date=2007-01-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410164746/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/Dn653988.aspx |archive-date=2014-04-10 |access-date=2020-02-14}}{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/xps/xpscommunitypromisefaq.mspx |title=Community Promise for XPS FAQs |publisher=Microsoft.com |date=2007-01-31 |access-date=2009-12-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090919151131/http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/xps/xpscommunitypromisefaq.mspx |archive-date=September 19, 2009 }} allowing users to create implementations of the specification that read, write and render XPS files as long as they included a notice within the source that technologies implemented may be encumbered by patents held by Microsoft. Microsoft also required that organizations "engaged in the business of developing (i) scanners that output XPS Documents; (ii) printers that consume XPS Documents to produce hard-copy output; or (iii) print driver or raster image software products or components thereof that convert XPS Documents for the purpose of producing hard-copy output, [...] will not sue Microsoft or any of its licensees under the XML Paper Specification or customers for infringement of any XML Paper Specification Derived Patents (as defined below) on account of any manufacture, use, sale, offer for sale, importation or other disposition or promotion of any XML Paper Specification implementations." The specification itself was released under a royalty-free copyright license, allowing its free distribution.{{cite web |title=XML Paper Specification Licensing |url=http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/xps/xpslicense.mspx#EEB |publisher=Microsoft |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061123015448/http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/xps/xpslicense.mspx#EEB |date=2005-09-02 |archive-date=2006-11-23 |access-date=2020-02-14}}

On September 13, 2011, Monotype Imaging announced it had licensed its XPS-to-PCL 6 and XPS-to-PostScript vector conversion filters to Microsoft for use in the next version of Windows.{{cite web|url=http://ir.monotypeimaging.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=605039|title=Monotype Imaging Licenses XPS Printer Driver Solution to Microsoft}}{{cite web|url=http://globeinvestor.sympatico.ca/servlet/WireFeedRedirect?cf=vtgam/realtime/SLI/ginews/config_print&date=20110913&archive=bwire&slug=20110913005095|title=Monotype Imaging Licenses XPS Printer Driver Solution to Microsoft}}

In 2003, Global Graphics was chosen by Microsoft to provide consultancy and proof of concept development services on XPS and worked with the Windows development teams on the specification and reference architecture for the new format.{{cite web |url=http://www.redorbit.com/news/technology/665662/global_graphics_xps_reference_rip_available_from_microsoft/index.html |title=Global Graphics XPS reference |publisher=Redorbit.com |date=2006-09-21 |access-date=2009-12-10 |archive-date=2011-11-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111125032656/http://www.redorbit.com/news/technology/665662/global_graphics_xps_reference_rip_available_from_microsoft/index.html |url-status=dead }} Microsoft submitted the XPS specification to Ecma International.{{cite web|last=Reimer |first=Jeremy |url=https://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070701-microsoft-submits-pdf-competitor-to-standards-body.html |title=War and PDF: Microsoft submits XPS to standards body |publisher=Arstechnica.com |date=2007-07-01 |access-date=2009-12-10}} In June 2007 Ecma International Technical Committee 46 (TC46) was set up to develop a standard based on the Open XML Paper Specification (OpenXPS).{{cite web |url=http://www.ecma-international.org/memento/TC46.htm |title=TC46 - XML Paper Specification (XPS) |publisher=Ecma-international.org |access-date=2009-12-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090129213105/http://www.ecma-international.org/memento/TC46.htm |archive-date=2009-01-29 |url-status=dead }}

At the 97th General Assembly held in Budapest, June 16, 2009, Ecma International approved Open XML Paper Specification (OpenXPS) as an Ecma standard (ECMA-388).{{cite web

|url = http://notes2self.net/archive/2009/06/17/openxps-openxml-paper-specification.aspx

|title = OpenXPS - OpenXML Paper Specification

|author = Steve McGibbon (Microsoft)

|date = 2009-06-17

|url-status = dead

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120423075901/http://notes2self.net/archive/2009/06/17/openxps-openxml-paper-specification.aspx

|archive-date = April 23, 2012

}} TC46's members included:

{{div col|colwidth=20em}}

• Autodesk
• Brother Industries
• Canon
• CSR (formerly Zoran)
• Fujifilm
• Fujitsu
• Global Graphics
• Hewlett-Packard
• Konica Minolta
• Lexmark
• Microsoft
• Monotype Imaging
• Océ Technologies
• Panasonic (formerly Matsushita)
• Ricoh
• Toshiba
• Xerox

{{div col end}}

{{This section needs expansion|date=October 2024}}

XPS files can be infected with malware.{{cite web | title=CVE-2022-42397 detail| publisher=NIST|website=National Vulnerability Database| url=https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-42397 | date=27 January 2023}}{{cite web | title=Analysis of CVE-2020-0605 – Code Execution using XPS Files in .NET | website=MDSec | date=10 May 2020 | url=https://www.mdsec.co.uk/2020/05/analysis-of-cve-2020-0605-code-execution-using-xps-files-in-net/ | access-date=3 October 2023}}

• Windows Vista print architecture
• Functional specification

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20061117050048/http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/xps/xpsspec.mspx XML Paper Specification Version 1.0 (via Internet Archive; from 2006-11-17)]
• [https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/blogs/xps/ Microsoft XPS Development Team Blog]
• [http://www.ecma-international.org/publications/standards/Ecma-388.htm Standard ECMA-388 Open XML Paper Specification]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20061205172825/http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/xps/viewxps.mspx View and Generate XPS Documents (via Internet Archive; from 2006-12-05)]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20091214220525/http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/xps/viewxps.mspx View and Generate XPS Documents (via Internet Archive; from 2009-12-14)]
• [http://www.ecma-international.org/publications/standards/Ecma-388.htm ECMA-388] Open XML Paper Specification
• [https://www.iso.org/standard/51502.html ISO 32000-1:2008] Document management — Portable document format — Part 1: PDF 1.7
• [https://www.iso.org/standard/75839.html ISO 32000-2:2020] Document management — Portable document format — Part 2: PDF 2.0

{{XPS software}}

{{Ebooks}}

{{Office document file formats}}

{{Ecma International Standards}}

{{Windows Components}}

Category:Computer printers

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Category:Document-centric XML-based standards

Category:Ecma standards

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Category:Page description markup languages

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