What is a .XSN file?
The file extension .XSN refers to an InfoPath Form Template File, which is primarily used by Microsoft InfoPath, a software application designed for developing and filling out electronic forms. The .XSN file acts as a template from which specific forms can be created and filled.
An .XSN file is essentially a compressed archive, similar to a .ZIP file, but it uses the .CAB (cabinet) file format for compression. This means that the .XSN file contains multiple files bundled together to form the complete form template. These files include a schema file (.XSD) which defines the structure of the data in the form, an .XSL style sheet which specifies the presentation of the form, script files (either .JS for JavaScript or .VBS for VBScript) which are used to manage the form's behavior, and any image files that are part of the form's design.
To use an .XSN file, you need Microsoft InfoPath, which is the program specifically designed to open and work with this type of file. Within InfoPath, you can create new forms based on the template or modify the existing template. If you need to access the individual components of an .XSN file, such as to update the script or alter the design, InfoPath allows you to extract these files. This can be done by opening the .XSN file in InfoPath and selecting "File" from the menu, followed by "Extract Form Files." This action decompresses the .CAB file and allows access to the individual files contained within the .XSN file.
In summary, .XSN files are crucial for users who need to design, distribute, and fill electronic forms using Microsoft InfoPath. They package all the necessary components of a form template into a single, compressed file, which can be easily managed and modified within InfoPath.
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