CDXML File

What are CDXML files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a CDXML 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 CDXML files.

What is a CDXML file?

CDXML files have multiple uses, and ChemDraw XML is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

ChemDraw XML

These CDXML files are the XML analogue files of the binary CDX files used in ChemDraw, a chemical structure application and molecule editor. CDXML files contain molecular data like atoms, bonds, fragments, and text in a binary format.

How to open CDXML files

We have identified two CDXML openers that are compatible with this specific type of CDXML file.

Programs that open ChemDraw XML files

Last updated: August 31, 2026

All known file formats using extension .CDXML

While ChemDraw XML is a popular type of CDXML-file, we know of 2 different uses of the .CDXML file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

PowerShell Cmdlet Definition XML

PowerShell Cmdlet Definition XML files define cmdlets (command-lets) for PowerShell by mapping operations of CIM (Common Information Model) or WMI classes into PowerShell commands. They allow module authors to expose remote or local management classes as PowerShell cmdlets without writing compiled code.

These XML files are produced by developers who want PowerShell to generate cmdlets based on existing CIM/WMI classes or methods. When PowerShell loads such an XML file (often packaged in a module), it reads the defined mappings, creates functions (cmdlets) with parameters, verbs, nouns and behaviors like any other cmdlet, and enables them to be called directly or via remote CIMOM servers through WS-Man or WinRM. These files let management interfaces be consumed dynamically, serve in modules, and support full PowerShell semantics (such as - WhatIf, parameter sets, etc.).

A Cmdlet Definition XML file must follow the CDXML schema. It normally begins with an XML declaration like <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> and uses the PowerShellMetadata root element in the http://schemas.microsoft.com/cmdlets-over-objects/… namespace. Keywords such as Class, ClassName, Version, CmdletParameterMetadata, Verb, DefaultNoun, Parameters etc. appear inside.

We have not yet verified any programs for Windows that work with this specific file format. If you know one, please use the 'Suggest a program' link below. Thanks!

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