Opening a VSS File

The VSS file type is primarily associated with Visio.

VSS	File extension: VSS
	File type:	stencil

What is a VSS file?

VSS files mostly belong to Visio by Microsoft. VSS is the filename extension of files containing smart shapes (also called stencils) used to create 2D diagrams in Visio 2D drawing and flowchart creation software. The stencils in a VSS file can be a shape or a flowchart connector that can be imported into the drawing (VSD file) created by Visio. VSS filename extension is also associated with files containing source code written in the VectorScript scripting language used by Vectorworks 3D CAD modeling and rendering software. Recent versions of Vectorworks use Python 3 scripts instead of VectorScript.

How to open VSS files

You need a suitable software like Visio to open a VSS file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your VSS file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a VSS file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online VSS Text Viewer

Choose your .vss file to analyze

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Online File Viewer

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VSS file format details:

Why is it important to know the file format? This is the only way to find out which program to use to open the file. Often, the file format can be deduced from the file extension or the initial bytes (called the signature). However, different programs can use the same file extension, and file extensions can be assigned incorrectly. Knowledge is power - this also applies when dealing with unknown or faulty files. Our examination of the VSS files comes to the following conclusion:

The VSS file extension is primarily used by a single program. But the following two file formats are common:

• 95% of all VSS files use the Microsoft Compound File format, known also as OLE2 Compound Document format or Composite Document File format. This Windows file format has features similar to those of a filesystem format with virtual files and subfolders. The first 8 bytes of the CFB format are D0CF11E0A1B11AE1 (which looks like "DOCFILE"). VSS files contain an app name Microsoft Visio. The globally unique identifier of this file type is 00021a14-0000-0000-c000-000000000046 or 00021a13-0000-0000-c000-000000000046. The file contains several sections with names like DocumentSummaryInformation, SummaryInformation, VisioDocument and VisioInformation. VSS files can be up to 62 MB in size, but are often around 68 KB - 19 MB. The file type was created 10 years ago, but is still used today. Files like these are about switches, series, stencil, catalyst, cisco, visio, power, servers and dell.

All other VSS files (5%) have no uniform format. Tagged as edge, rack, networking, business, onguard, classic, aruba, large or small. Drag & drop your file here to see the file format and a preview of your VSS file!