XIFF

File Format
Name	XIFF
Ontology	Electronic File Formats Graphics XIFF
Extension(s)	.xif
MIME Type(s)	image/vnd.xiff
Released	≤1997

XIFF (eXtended Image File Format, Xerox Image File Format), also known as XIF (eXtended Image Format, Xerox Image Format) and also DigiPaper/XIF, is a raster graphics format associated with ScanSoft corporation. It is a compound image format, similar in concept to Mixed Raster Content or JPM.

We haven't located any details about XIFF format, except that it is an extension of TIFF. Some sources say it is proprietary, though the MIME type registration indicates that there was a specification at the (long dead) URL http://www.xerox.com/xis/xiff/.

ScanSoft has a long and complicated history. It was once a part of Xerox, and is currently (since 2005) a part of Nuance Communications.

File Identification

XIFF files appear to be related to TIFF-FX mixed raster content subtype (See RFC 2301 & RFC 2531). XIF file header may contain ascii XEROX DIFF or eXtended.

Disambiguation

• Not related to the XIFF instant messaging library.
• Not related to XLIFF (XML Localisation Interchange File Format). (It's apparently a common typo to write "XIFF" instead of "XLIFF".)

See also the XIF disambiguation page.

Software

• Pagis viewer software and Sample XIF file (archived)
• XnView (unconfirmed)
• Imaging for Windows (at least the version that came with Windows 98)
• Some versions of various ScanSoft software such as Pagis Pro, Pagis Viewer, TextBridge, PaperPort, OmniPage Pro, XIFF Reader
• Possible XIF code

Links

• XIF File Format (archived)
• scantips.com: Access existing XIF Files from Windows XP (archived)
• Wikipedia: Nuance Communications
• RFC 2301 File Format for Internet Fax specifications