Contents

Configuring File Types

Microsoft Internet Explorer can read HTML documents in addition to GIF and JPEG graphics. It can also handle other file types by associating new file types with helper applications.

Many file formats are predefined. All you need to do is associate a file format with the application that you want to use to read the file format.

To associate a file type with another application

1. On the View menu, click Options.
2. On the Programs tab, click File Types.
3. Select the file type that you want to associate with an application, and then click Edit.
4. Specify the helper application that you want to use to read the selected file type. To find the application, you can click Browse.
   
5. If the application is compatible with the Microsoft Internet Explorer Software Development Interface, type the DDE service name of the application in the Service Name box. Otherwise, leave this box blank.
   
6. Click OK.

To add a new file type (for advanced users)

1. On the View menu, click Options.
2. On the Programs tab, click File Types, and then click Add.
   
3. In the Description box, type your own description of the file type.
   
4. In the MIME Type box, type the MIME type/subtype of the file type.
   Note
   • MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) is a standard system for naming different file formats. When Internet Explorer retrieves a file from a server, the server provides the MIME type of the file. Using the MIME type, Internet Explorer determines whether it can read the file or whether an appropriate helper application is available to read the file.
     
5. In the Suffixes box, type the filename extension(s) commonly used for the file type. Begin each extension with a period. Separate multiple extensions by spaces.
   For servers that do not provide MIME types, Internet Explorer uses filename extensions to determine the file format.
   
6. Select Binary or Text to specify how the file type is encoded. Most file types are encoded as binary.
   
7. Specify the helper application that you want to use to read the selected file type. To find the application, you can click Browse.
   
8. Click OK.