lookup> .held

.HELD·File Extension

HELD Data & Text — A .held file is a HELD Data & Text. It is a text-based data format widely used for configuration files, data interchange and API payloads.

Data & Textapplication/atsc-held+xmlCompressible

Quick facts

Extension.held

File typeHELD Data & Text

MIME typeapplication/atsc-held+xml

CategoryData & Text

Charset—

CompressibleYes

What is .held

What is a .held file?

A .held file is a HELD Data & Text. It is a text-based data format widely used for configuration files, data interchange and API payloads.

In the mime-db registry it maps to application/atsc-held+xml, and it is marked as compressible. When serving .held over HTTP, set the Content-Type header as shown in Developer info below.

Related entities: it maps to application/atsc-held+xml — and is delivered over HTTP via the Content-Type header.

How to open .held files

Use VS Code or Notepad++ to open and edit .held files.
Any text editor (Notepad, VS Code) can inspect the raw content as text.

Developer info

When served over HTTP, responses should set the following header:

Content-Type: application/atsc-held+xml

Common software that reads/writes .held:

VS CodeNotepad++Sublime Textjq

Relation chain

.heldextension of

format

HELD Data & Textserved as

mime type

application/atsc-held+xmlsent via header

http header

Related extensions

Related MIME types

application/atsc-held+xml

.held

Common uses

Configuration files
Data interchange between systems
API request and response payloads
Logs and data exports

How to edit .held files

Open the file with VS Code, make your changes and save.
Most editors preserve the original formatting and encoding — avoid changing the charset.

How to create .held files

Create a new file and save it with the .held extension, or export this format from VS Code.

Frequently asked questions

What programs can open .held files?

Common options include VS Code, Notepad++, Sublime Text. You can also open many of these files with built-in viewers or a browser.

How do I create a .held file?

Create a new file in any text editor or the app that owns the format and save it with the .held extension.

What is the relationship between .held and the application/atsc-held+xml MIME type?

application/atsc-held+xml is the media type identifier used for .held files during network transfer (for example in the HTTP Content-Type header).

Sources & standards

Updated 2026-09-13

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