All about API Files

The API file type is primarily associated with Adobe Acrobat Pro.

API	File extension: API
	File type:	module

What is an API file

API files mostly belong to Adobe Acrobat Pro. API files are not one single format. They can contain different types of data for software interfaces.
Some API files are Windows executable modules that run as plug-ins for applications such as Adobe Acrobat Pro. This type of file integrates additional features into the host program.
Other API files hold API definitions and documentation. For example, a file used by ScriptHookV supports Lua scripting and provides interface details. You can view its details at ScriptHookV.
There are also API files that are ZIP archives containing JSON data. In these cases the file acts as a compressed container that holds API rules or product information. Similar files are used to define an Application Programming Interface or to document product data. An example using JSON data can be found on Patreon.
Key points to consider:

Executable plug-in: Run by the host application (e.g., Adobe Acrobat Pro) to add functions.

API documentation: Contains interface rules or scripting guidelines.

JSON content: Open with a text editor or JSON viewer to read API definitions.

Compressed archive: Use a ZIP utility (like 7-Zip or WinRAR) if the file is a ZIP container.

FilExt.com tip: Always verify the file header to decide the correct way to open it and handle it securely.

How do you open API files?

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

Online API Text Viewer

Choose your .api file to analyze

or drag and drop it here

Online File Viewer

✈

Read our privacy guarantee in Filext’s terms and privacy policy

Please allow ads on our site

This helps us keep our servers running. Then re-upload your file to view it.

Click here to see how to disable the ad blocker for filext.com

Programs that open and convert API files:

Adobe Acrobat Pro
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. API files are often referred to as Adobe Acrobat Pro developers because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
1st Reader
Acrobat (Plug-in) by Adobe Systems Incorporated
Adobe Acrobat is a family of computer programs developed by Adobe Systems, designed to view, create, manipulate and manage files in Adobe's Portable Document Format (PDF). Some software in the family are commercial, and some are free. Adobe Reader (formerly Acrobat Reader) is available as a no-charge download from Adobe's Web site, and allows the viewing and printing of PDF files. Acrobat and Reader are widely used as a way to present information with a fixed layout similar to a paper publication. The identifying characters used for this association are - Hex: 4D 5A 90 00 03 00 00 00 04 00 00 00 FF FF 00 00 B8 00 00 00 00 00 00 00, ASCII: MZ ÿÿ ¸ . Program ID is AcroExch.Plugin
Application Program Interface
Related links: API Info
Lotus Printer Driver Info by IBM
This was a Lotus product. Lotus was bought out by IBM.
Photoshop (Ink Colors Setup) by Adobe Systems Incorporated
WebObjects (Interface) by Apple Inc.
WebObjects is a rapid application development environment with web services, data access and page generation capabilities.

API file format:

To find out what program is needed to open API files, you need to determine the file format. The first characters in a file identify the file format, for example, HTML files start with the bytes <html>. Nonetheless, different programs can utilize the same file extension to represent distinct file formats. Double-clicking on the file often results in an error when opening. If there are problems opening a file, you must first determine the file format used. In the following you will find our evaluation of the API files:

API is not that commonly used as a file extension. This file type includes different formats for the applicable programs. The following file formats are most commonly found in API files:

50% of all API files are Adobe Acrobat Reader Plugin files, which are using the popular EXE file format. EXE is the abbreviation for executable and is the standard executable file format on Windows. The format can be identified by the letters "MZ" at the beginning. Executable files can also be used to distribute viruses and other types of malicious software (malware). These files contain neither text nor words, but only data. API files can be up to 93 MB in size, but are often around 54 KB - 5 MB. The file type was developed 20 years ago and is still in use today. Certain words are almost always found in the files, such as !This program cannot be run in DOS mode. A common filename is Compare.api. Files like these have the following tags: auto, updater, annots, movie, book, mail, open and send.
10% of all API files have the same signature ---------------------------------------. These files contain text and words, not binary data. API files can be up to 11 KB in size, but are often around 8 KB - 11 KB. Certain words are almost always found in the files, such as -- Globals, ------------, Integer, Number, bool, globals.get_boolean(Integer index), globals.get_float(Integer index) and globals.get_int. Readme.api is a typical file name.

All other API files (40%) have no uniform format, the following 3 formats can be found: JSON. Tagged as hotbits. Drag & drop your file here to see the file format and a preview of your API file!

Technical Data for API File Extension

File classification:

Developer

Identifier:

Hex: 4D 5A 90 00 03 00 00 00 04 00 00 00 FF FF 00 00 B8 00 00 00 00 00 00 00, ASCII: MZ ÿÿ ¸ (provided by TrID database)

Program ID:

AcroExch.Plugin

Related files:

lib, ocx, yaml, apib, ap1, dll, ipa, apip, apis to use, apli, ionapi, ai, avi, txt, apk, php, zip, json, pdf, lua, ab1, html, lex, lng, lst, exe

The following listing is compiled from the database produced by the 'Associate This!' program, selected data from the main FILExt database and file extension information submitted by users.

ProgramID: AcroExch.Plugin, FileType: Adobe Acrobat Plugin file

ProgramID: Photoshop.PrintingInksFile, AppName: Adobe Photoshop
EXEFile: Photoshp.exe

ProgramID: Photoshop.PrintingInksFile, AppName: Adobe Photoshop CS
EXEFile: Photoshop.exe

ProgramID: Photoshop.PrintingInksFile, AppName: Adobe Photoshop Elements
EXEFile: photoshopelements.exe

ProgramID: Photoshop.PrintingInksFile, AppName: PHOTOSTO
EXEFile: PHOTOSTO.EXE

ProgramID: Photoshop.PrintingInksFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\Photoshop 6.0.1 CE\Photoshp.exe

ProgramID: Photoshop.PrintingInksFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\Photoshop 6.0\Photoshp.exe

ProgramID: Photoshop.PrintingInksFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\Photoshop 7.0\Photoshop.exe

ProgramID: Photoshop.PrintingInksFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\Photoshop CS\Photoshop.

ProgramID: Photoshop.PrintingInksFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\Photoshop CS\Photoshop.exe

ProgramID: Photoshop.PrintingInksFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\Photoshop Elements

ProgramID: Photoshop.PrintingInksFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\Photoshop Elements 2\Photoshopelements.exe

ProgramID: Photoshop.PrintingInksFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\PhotoshopElements.exe

ProgramID: Photoshop.PrintingInksFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\Photoshop 5.0\Photoshp.exe

ProgramID: Photoshop.PrintingInksFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS\Photoshop.exe

ProgramID: Photoshop.PrintingInksFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\Photoshop 5.5\Photoshp.exe

ProgramID: Photoshop.PrintingInksFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\Photoshop Elements 3.0\PhotoshopelementsEditor.exe

ProgramID: Photoshop.PrintingInksFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\Photoshop Elements 4.0\PhotoshopelementsEditor.exe

ProgramID: Photoshop.PrintingInksFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS3\Photoshop.exe

ProgramID: Photoshop.PrintingInksFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\Photoshop\Photoshop.exe

ProgramID: Photoshop.PrintingInksFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Photoshop Elements\Photoshopelements.exe

Show all 21 listings To Top

an api module is a special file format and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with API files

Associate the API file extension with the correct application.
Update your software that should actually open modules. Because only the current version supports the latest API file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the manufacturer website after an available Adobe Acrobat Pro update.
To make sure that your API file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
Click here to open your .API file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.