XSN File

What are XSN files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening an XSN 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 XSN files.

What is an XSN file?

An .XSN file is an InfoPath Dynamic Form - Template file.

InfoPath Dynamic Form - Template files store the design of a fillable form built with Microsoft InfoPath. These templates define a layout, data rules, validation, appearance, and behavior so that users can fill out individual forms based on this design. Each template combines many supporting files - such as schema definitions, views, and default XML - to describe what input looks like and how it works. Microsoft Office InfoPath creates these templates.

The template file is used in design mode: a form designer builds or edits it with InfoPath to set up everything needed for user input. Once published, everything stored in the template helps ensure consistency across all forms filled out from it. When someone fills out a form based on the template, what they edit is a plain XML document that follows the structures and rules defined by the template.

Under the hood the template file is a compressed archive (a Microsoft Cabinet or CAB file) containing multiple XML schema files (.xsd), one or more view templates (.xsl), the default data for new forms, the form definition or manifest (manifest.xsf), possibly scripts or managed code, and supporting resources like images. The manifest.xsf file is always the first entry and ties all parts together. Signature or protection flags may appear in the manifest but there is no file-level encryption or password protection in the CAB container.

Byte signatures include an MSCF header at the very start of the file, and internal filenames such as manifest.xsf, TEMPLATE.XML, .XSD and .XSL appear inside the contents.

How to open XSN files

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

Programs that open InfoPath Dynamic Form - Template files

Last updated: October 27, 2026

Various apps that use files with this extension

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