What is an XMP file?
A .XMP file is primarily an Extensible Metadata Platform File created by Adobe Systems. It stores text-based metadata for image files, such as color corrections or exposure edits made in Adobe Lightroom or Adobe Photoshop. These files often act as "sidecar" files. They save adjustments alongside a raw image without altering the original photo.
Less commonly, a .XMP file can also be an XMind Markers Package used in mind-mapping software. Because .XMP has multiple possible meanings, we recommend using viewer.online/xmp to identify the actual format of your file.
How to open XMP files?
You can open standard Adobe .XMP files with text editors or specialized photo editing software. viewer.online/xmp analyzes .XMP files to identify their exact format and creator software, shows which programs can open the file, and usually previews it directly in your browser.
Best practices and troubleshooting
If you separate the .XMP sidecar file from the original raw image, your photo editing software will not load your edits. Keep the image and the .XMP file in the same folder with the exact same base file name. If you simply need to transform the raw metadata into a more readable format, use convert.guru to convert the .XMP data into .JSON or .TXT.
Software and tools
Common desktop software includes Adobe Bridge and Adobe Camera Raw. For command-line users, ExifTool is a powerful utility to read, write, and extract .XMP metadata globally.
Summary
Because .XMP files use the known XML format, viewer.online/xmp can safely open and display them online, eliminating compatibility problems.