What is the XPS Viewer

[Dharmavira]

Hello Friends,

I would like to know what is XPS Viewer. For what purpose it is used and what is the benefit of using it. Does any body have any idea about XPS? Can any one provide me the correct information on XPS Viewer? Any kind of information on XPS Viewer would be appreciated.


Thanks in advance.

[Eric B]

An XPS document is any file that is saved to the XML Paper Specification or .xps file format. Although you can create XPS documents (.xps files) by using any program that you can print from in Windows, you can view XPS documents only by using the XPS Viewer. If you have Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0, the viewer works with Internet Explorer and is included in this version of Windows.

When you open an XPS document, the viewer automatically opens the document in an Internet Explorer window. Two additional toolbars appear, one above and the other below, the XPS document. Each toolbar provides options for viewing and managing XPS documents, including:
• Saving a copy of the XPS document to your computer.
• Finding a word or phrase in the read-only XPS document.
• Going to a specific page by typing a page number or by navigating forward and back through the document pages.
• Zooming in or out to make text and pictures easier to read.
• Viewing one or more pages at a time on your screen.
• Digitally signing the XPS document.
• Determining who can access the document and for how long by applying document permissions.

[Glenny]

To be able to view and print XPS documents, Microsoft's free XPS Viewer should be installed on your computer. The XPS file format is Microsoft's alternative to Adobe's PDF. Windows Vista already comes with XPS functionality, but earlier operating systems need to download the following viewer to open and print XPS documents.

[JonathanD]

XPS (XML Paper Specification) which previously codenamed “Metro”, is a document storage and viewing specification developed by Microsoft which defined formats and rules for distributing, archiving, rendering, and processing XPS documents. XPS format intends to compete with Adobe PDF format as both is displaying paginated, fixed-layout format electronic paper documents in page-by-page view of the document’s content as it would be printed. Windows Vista has built-in integrated Microsoft XPS Document Writer and XPS Document Writer, and if you’re using Microsoft Office 2007, there is Save as XPS plugin that allows users to create XPS files within Office application. However, if you’re using Windows XP or Windows 2003, you to download and install the free XPS Viewer and XPS Writer.

[Macarenas]

XPS viewer is a free easy to use downloadable application (see link on side bar) that allows you to view XPS files. This viewer utilizes Software Imaging’s XPS rendering technology, PrintMagicXPS to give great quality rasterization with unrivalled speed when viewing XPS documents.