MXL File Documentation

Overview

Feature Value
Format Name Compressed MusicXML File
Extension .mxl
MIME Type application/vnd.recordare.musicxml
Compression ZIP Compression
XML Based Yes
Developed By Recordare LLC
Standard MusicXML
Open Format Yes
Primary Use Music notation
Editable Yes (with supporting software)
Supporting Applications Various music notation software like Finale, Sibelius, MuseScore
Container for XML music notation data
Encoding UTF-8
Can Contain Music score, parts, and layout information
User Accessibility Can be viewed and edited with appropriate software
File Size Generally smaller than uncompressed XML due to compression
Advantages Compact size, portability, cross-software compatibility
Disadvantages Requires decompression to edit or view the original XML
Binary Format No, based on text (XML), but stored in a compressed binary container (.mxl)
Human Readable Yes, once uncompressed