APA File

What are APA files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening an APA file or are you simply curious about its contents? We're here to explain the properties of these files and provide you with software that can open or handle your APA files.

What is an APA file?

An .APA file is an ArcPad Applet file.

ArcPad Applet files define small custom modules that run inside the ArcPad mobile GIS application, enabling reusable user interface components such as toolbars, forms, and scripted behaviors. Created generally with ArcPad Studio, these XML-based applets work independently of any particular map so they can be shared, loaded, and activated without changing the core ArcPad configuration. They are good for field workflows that need custom buttons, dialogs, or automation triggered by user or system events.

The applet author composes its content using several building blocks: toolbars with custom tool buttons, user data entry forms (with labels, combo boxes, buttons, etc.), and scripts in JScript, VBScript, or Python that respond to events like form load, button clicks, or ArcPad system object events. These files are stored in the applets folder of ArcPad or in user-specified paths. Once ArcPad starts, it loads the default configuration and then any .apa applet files in its applet search paths.

ArcPad Applet files are saved in UTF-8 encoded XML, using the <ArcPad> root element. The structure requires one APPLET element (for the applet definition) and optionally a SCRIPT element (which may define scripts inline or refer to an external script file). Inside APPLET, FORM(S), TOOLBAR(S), TOOLBUTTON(S), and other UI control tags describe the visible interface. Elements include attributes such as name, caption, width/height, onclick handlers, visibility, etc.

Technical identifiers include an XML header at the beginning, then an <ArcPad> tag containing an <APPLET> element (possibly followed by <SCRIPT>). Internal strings like TOOLBUTTON NAME, TOOLBARS, CAPTION, ONCLICK, VISIBLE, APPLET, ARCPAD, SCRIPT, IMAGE, CALL, LOAD are commonly found.

How to open APA files

Important: Different programs may use files with the APA file extension for different purposes, so unless you are sure which format your APA file is, you may need to try a few different programs.

While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested four different APA openers which you will find listed below.

Last updated: August 18, 2026

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of APA files. Remember, different programs may use APA files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.

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File.org helps thousands of users every day, and we would love to hear from you if you have additional information about APA file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.