AXE File

What are AXE files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening an AXE 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 AXE files.

What is an AXE file?

AXE files have multiple uses, and AutoRoute Export is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

AutoRoute Export File

AutoRoute Export File format stores map data created by Microsoft AutoRoute, a trip-planning and navigation application used in Western and Central Europe. It captures map locations, routes, and points of interest (POIs), along with associated metadata like user annotations, language settings, highlight areas, and journey details. The files are intended to preserve the visual and navigational contents of a map so they can be reopened or exported later.

Files are generated by AutoRoute when maps are saved or exported. The format is binary. Typical operations include loading saved maps for viewing, editing, or printing, and converting POI and route data to exchange formats using tools such as POIConverter. Since Microsoft discontinued AutoRoute in 2014, official support for reading or converting these files has been removed.

Files begin with a compound file signature used by Microsoft formats (bytes D0 CF 11 E0 A1 B1 1A E1 at offset 0). Within the data, there are Unicode strings at specific positions such as "Root Entry" at offset 1024 and "Contents" at offset 1152. The file contains embedded labels like MAPNAME, JOURNEY, PRODUCT, USERDATA, SUMMARYINFORMATION, ANNOTATIONS, HIGHLIGHTS, LANGUAGE, GROUP and others.

How to open AXE files

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

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

Last updated: August 22, 2026

All known file formats using extension .AXE

While AutoRoute Export File is a popular type of AXE-file, we know of 2 different uses of the .AXE file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

PICAXE Compiled Code

PICAXE Compiled Code files store machine-readable binaries produced by the PICAXE compiler after processing BASIC or block-based source code. They contain instructions already converted into a compact form that the PICAXE microcontroller's bootloader can send directly to program memory. This format enables direct downloading to a PICAXE chip without needing the original human-readable source.

These files are created by PICAXE tools such as the cloud version of Blockly for PICAXE (when used in browsers that cannot directly access USB/COM ports) or by exporting from PICAXE Editor software like Programming Editor 6 (PE6). Once created, the binary file is used with the PICAXE Programmer App (or other officially supported downloader tools) to upload the compiled code into the target PICAXE device. The user cannot reverse-engineer the source code back from the compiled file using standard tools.

Files of this kind begin with a specific ASCII signature "PICAXE-" at offset zero. This header helps tools identify them and confirm validity before attempting to use them for programming.

Various apps that use files with this extension

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

Help us help others

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