HVC File

What are HVC files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a HVC 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 HVC files.

What is a HVC file?

A .HVC file is a HotDocs Variables Collection file.

The HotDocs Variables Collection file contains a list of all the variables used by a HotDocs template, along with metadata about those variables. It is created by HotDocs Developer (versions prior to 11) when publishing a template for use with HotDocs Server. Its role is to enable HotDocs Server to know which variables the template asks for during an interview phase, so it can present prompts and gather user input correctly. It also works together with a JavaScript (.JS) interview definition file in these older published templates.

When HotDocs Server reads a legacy .HVC file, it constructs a VariableCollection object in its API. That lets other parts of HotDocs inspect each variable by name, type, and order, decide which should be shown in a browser-based interview, and pre-populate answers when available. As of version 11 of HotDocs, .HVC files are obsolete and have been replaced by manifest (.manifest.xml) files that provide the same information in XML form.

Byte-signature or internal format details for the legacy .HVC file are not publicly documented in detail in current HotDocs materials, so there is no reliably confirmed header or binary pattern available.

How to open HVC files

We have identified one HVC opener that is compatible with this specific type of HVC file.

Programs that open HotDocs Variables Collection files

Last updated: August 7, 2026

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of HVC files. Remember, different programs may use HVC 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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