INX File

What are INX files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening an INX 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 INX files.

What is an INX file?

INX files have multiple uses, and Adobe InDesign Exchange is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

Adobe InDesign Exchange File

Files with the .inx file extension are XML-formatted documents exported by the Adobe InDesign software application. These documents are used to describe a specific InDesign file, explaining the number of pages contained in the file, the contents of the pages, and the layout and settings for each page of the file.

INX files are commonly used to save a file created with a newer version of the InDesign into a format that is compatible with older versions of the InDesign application.

How to open INX files

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

Programs that open Adobe InDesign Exchange files

Last updated: August 7, 2026

All known file formats using extension .INX

While Adobe InDesign Exchange File is a popular type of INX-file, we know of 3 different uses of the .INX file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

Inkscape Extension Descriptor File

Inkscape files with the .INX extension are XML-based descriptor files used by Inkscape to define an extension's metadata and user interface. Each .INX file lives in Inkscape's extensions folder, alongside a script or program that implements the extension. When Inkscape starts (or rescans extensions), it reads each .INX to learn where to add the extension in its menus, what kind of extension it is (such as input, output or effect), what interpreter should run its script, and what parameters (options the user can set) it needs. These parameters are presented to the user as GUI widgets - text boxes, checkboxes, color pickers, drop-downs - before execution.

Authors edit .INX files by hand or follow bundled examples. Besides naming the extension and setting its identifier, an .INX lists any required files or other extensions, defines commands (with path and interpreter information), and structures the user interface. The same file also marks which text strings should be translatable for localization. Inkscape provides an official RELAX NG schema for validating .INX files so that extensions conform to expected structure.

INX opener for Windows

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

InstallShield Compiled Rules

InstallShield Compiled Rules files are binary files created during the building of an InstallShield installer project. They contain the compiled version of InstallShield's InstallScript code (originally written in a .RUL script file). Once compiled into the .INX form, the data is packaged into the installer and executed by the InstallShield runtime when the software's setup is run. These files are not meant to be edited by end users or read in raw form.

The .INX file is produced by the InstallShield IDE (part of Flexera Software) as part of the project compilation process. The workflow begins with writing intention or rules in a human-readable script (.RUL), then compiling that script into the .INX file. During installation, the setup program extracts the .INX file and causes its instructions to be executed, such as copying files, modifying the registry, or showing dialogs. Users never normally see the .RUL file once the installer is built.

Internally, .INX files begin with a signature at byte offset 0 showing the ASCII string "aLuZ…Copyright (c) 1990-" followed by other data - this signature identifies the file as InstallShield's compiled rules format.

Programs that open these INX files

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

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of INX files. Remember, different programs may use INX 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 INX file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.