Specifying MIME Types for WebFOCUS Reports

In addition to creating reports in HTML format for display in a web browser, you can generate reports that can be returned to the browser and opened in a desktop application or in a helper application.

In order for the browser to recognize and call the correct desktop application, you must associate the MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension) type of the report with a specific application. After the association for a MIME type has been established, you can take advantage of the ability to exchange different kinds of data files on the Internet or through email. These data files can include audio, video, and images, as well as application programs. For example, assuming that the required MIME types have been defined, you can receive a report as an email attachment in PDF or DOC format and launch the report from your browser in Adobe Reader or in Microsoft Word, respectively.

Reference: Supported MIME Types and Applications

WebFOCUS supports the following MIME types and desktop applications:

MIME Type	Application	File Extension
application/PostScript	GhostView. GhostView is a third-party product and is available at the following website: www.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost /gsview/index.htm.	.ps
application/x-prn	Microsoft Excel or equivalent spreadsheet application.	.prn
application/x-dif	Microsoft Excel or equivalent spreadsheet application.	.dif
application/ms word	Microsoft Word.	.doc
application/vnd.ms-excel	Microsoft Excel.	.xls
application/x-msexcel	Microsoft Excel 2000.	.htx
application/pdf	Adobe Reader.	.pdf
text/plain	Microsoft Notepad or equivalent text processor.	.wp or .hts
text/html	Microsoft Notepad or equivalent HTML editor.	.html
text/htm	Microsoft Notepad or equivalent HTML editor.	.htm
image/gif	Microsoft Paint or equivalent graphic editor.	.gif
image/jpg	Microsoft Paint or equivalent graphic editor.	.jpg

Procedure: How to Specify MIME Types in Windows

To specify a MIME type in Windows:

Open the Windows Explorer.
Select Folder Options from the View menu.
Select the File Types tab.
Select a file type in the Registered File Types list box, then click the New Type button.
The Add New File Type dialog box opens.
Type the following information. If necessary, refer to the table on the previous page.
- In the Description of Type field, type a description of your choice.
- In the Associated Extension field, type the extension relevant to the file type you specified.
- In the Content Type (MIME) field, type the MIME type relevant to the file type and extension you specified.
Click OK to save your changes.