Opening PSY Files

The PSY file type is primarily associated with OpenSesame.

PSY	File extension: PSY
	File type:	script file

What is a PSY file?

PSY files mostly belong to OpenSesame. PSY files serve as experiment script files in psychology research.
Main use: They store instructions that control experiment flow, timing, and stimuli presentation.

• Experiment scripts: Most PSY files are created by tools like OpenSesame. They contain specific commands and parameters used to run cognitive and behavioral tests.
• Alternative format: Some PSY files are used on Inquisit platforms (linked to E-Prime) and follow a similar scripting approach.
• Profiling data: A minority of PSY files use the JetDB format, which stores profiler data. This type is managed with tools such as JetBrains PyCharm.

FilExt.com tip: For further details on psychology experiments, visit the Cognitive Science website. For profiler data examples, see JetBrains PyCharm.

How can I open a PSY file?

You need a suitable software like OpenSesame to open a PSY 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 PSY file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a PSY file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online PSY Text Viewer

Choose your .psy file to analyze

or drag and drop it here

Online File Viewer

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PSY file format:

The file format determines how the data is stored in the file. The file format can be deduced from the file extension and the signature. However, different programs can use the same file extension, and file extensions can be assigned incorrectly. So a detailed analysis of a file is vital in order to determine the format and the associated program. Below is our analysis of the PSY files:

PSY is not a common file extension and includes different formats for the applicable programs. The two most common formats are as follows:

• 45% of all PSY files start with the bytes options, which are crucial for this file format. The contents of these files are easily readable with a text editor. The files are often between 1 KB and 6 KB in size. This file type is based on cutting-edge technology. Certain words are almost always found in the files, such as options, bitmaps, bitmapdir stimuli, set, mouse on, arial, fonts and instructions. igt.psy or wcst.psy is a typical file name. Files like these are sometimes connected to nback, corsi, hanoi, tower, liewald, deary, touch, digitspan, flanker and search.
• 15% of all PSY files start with the bytes bitmaps, which are crucial for this file format. The contents of these files are easily readable with a text editor. A typical file size is 2 KB. The keywords bitmaps, fixpoint, instruction1, instruction2, mistake and fonts are typical for these files. Examples of file names are stroop.psy or ldt.psy. Such PSY files store data about sart.

The remaining 40% of all PSY files are files with no common format, such as JetDB. Sometimes used for electronic, settings, current or code. Just click the "Choose your .psy file to analyze" button on this page to find out what your PSY file is.