Vector Markup Language (VML) Overview

November 4, 1998

Vector Markup Language (VML) is an XML-based exchange, editing, and delivery format for high-quality vector graphics on the Web that meets the needs of both productivity users and graphic design professionals. XML is an emerging simple, flexible, and open text-based language that complements HTML. (See the XML section of the SBN Workshop for detailed information on XML.)

VML is currently supported by Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 Beta or later for Windows® 95, Windows 98, and Window NT® 4.0 or later. VML code is ignored by other browsers.

VML has been proposed to the W3C as a standard for vector graphics on the Web (see http://www.w3.org/TR/NOTE-VML ). Microsoft is continuing to lead the charge in the development and implementation of XML-based technologies, working with leading industry partners (AutoDesk, Hewlett-Packard, Macromedia, Visio) and the W3C to advance Web-based standards. We expect to work with the W3C to ultimately drive to one standard format for vector graphics on the Web.

VML is also supported by Microsoft Office 2000 Beta 2 or later. Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint can be used to create VML graphics.

For example, the following code defines a rectangle filled with red:

<v:rect style="position:absolute;left:10;top:20;width:50;height:50"
   fillcolor="red">
</v:rect>

If you're running Internet Explorer 5 Beta , you'll see the rectangle below:

Benefits of VML

VML makes authoring easier for productivity users and authors. It facilitates the exchange (via cut and paste) and subsequent editing of vector graphics between a wide variety of productivity and design applications.
VML provides faster graphic downloads and a better user experience. It allows the delivery of high-quality, fully integrated, scalable vector graphics to the Web, in an open text-based format. Rather than referencing graphics as external files, VML graphics are delivered inline with the HTML page, allowing them to interact and scale with user interaction.
VML is open and standards-based. It is an XML-based format. XML 1.0 is an open, simple, text-based language for describing structured data on the Web, and complements HTML for display. VML also supports other W3C standards, such as Cascading Style Sheets 2.0 (CSS), which specifies style information and 2-D positioning, as well as the Document Object Model (DOM), which allows developers to interact consistently with page elements as objects.

For additional information

See the links below:

For answers to frequently asked questions about VML, see the VML FAQ.
For information on creating your own VML, soon we'll be providing a VML reference, which complements the VML specification submitted to the W3C.
For examples of VML in action, see the VML demos (coming soon).