ArcMap GIS project file (.mxd)
.mxd file signature | application/octet-stream
Magic Bytes
Offset: 0
CF FA ED FE
ArcMap GIS project file
Sources: Gary Kessler
All Known Signatures
2 signature variants are documented for .mxd files across multiple sources.
| Hex Signature | Offset | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| CF FA ED FE | 0 | Gary Kessler |
| D0 CF 11 E0 A1 B1 1A E1 | 0 | Gary Kessler |
Validation Code
How to validate .mxd files in Python
def is_mxd(file_path: str) -> bool:
"""Check if file is a valid MXD by magic bytes."""
signature = bytes([0xCF, 0xFA, 0xED, 0xFE])
with open(file_path, "rb") as f:
return f.read(4) == signatureHow to validate .mxd files in Node.js
function isMXD(buffer: Buffer): boolean {
const signature = Buffer.from([0xCF, 0xFA, 0xED, 0xFE]);
return buffer.subarray(0, 4).equals(signature);
}How to validate .mxd files in Go
func IsMXD(data []byte) bool {
signature := []byte{0xCF, 0xFA, 0xED, 0xFE}
if len(data) < 4 {
return false
}
return bytes.Equal(data[:4], signature)
}API Endpoint
/api/v1/mxd
curl https://filesignature.org/api/v1/mxd
See the full API documentation for all endpoints and parameters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a .mxd file?
A .mxd file is a ArcMap GIS project file file. ArcMap GIS project file
What are the magic bytes for .mxd files?
The magic bytes for ArcMap GIS project file files are CF FA ED FE at byte offset 0. These bytes uniquely identify the file format regardless of the file extension.
How do I validate a .mxd file?
To validate a .mxd file, read the first bytes of the file and compare them against the known magic bytes (CF FA ED FE) at offset 0. This is more reliable than checking the file extension alone, as extensions can be renamed.
What is the MIME type for .mxd files?
There is no officially registered MIME type for .mxd files. Systems typically use application/octet-stream as a generic fallback when handling this format.
Is it safe to open .mxd files?
ArcMap GIS project file (.mxd) files are generally safe to open. They are classified as low risk because they primarily contain data rather than executable code. However, always ensure files come from a trusted source.