HELP! Opening an XFD File?

[t84]

Hey all,

I've been sent a document from a solicitors regarding tax (Just to give you some context of the file)

Googling seems to show up 'PureEdge' viewer, but this kicks up an error saying that it's not a valid file.

I was wondering if any legal bods use this format and if they could tell me what they use to create them?

It appears to be an XML file with a big chunk of Hex Encoding, I'll paste it here:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<!DOCTYPE formData [
 <!ELEMENT formData (formName, formVersion, date, nPages, formBinary*, formPages* )>
 <!ATTLIST formData FileType (XFD|XFN|XFT) #REQUIRED>
 <!ELEMENT formName (#PCDATA)>
 <!ELEMENT formVersion (#PCDATA)>
 <!ELEMENT date (#PCDATA)>
 <!ELEMENT nPages (#PCDATA)>
 <!ELEMENT formBinary (#PCDATA)>
 <!ATTLIST formBinary uncompressedSize CDATA #REQUIRED BlockSize CDATA #REQUIRED>
 <!ELEMENT formPages (tableInfo*, OptGroup*, infill*)>
 <!ATTLIST formPages pageNo ID #REQUIRED optPageNo CDATA #IMPLIED Schema CDATA "0" Duplicate CDATA "n" ExtraGroups CDATA #IMPLIED>
 <!ELEMENT tableInfo (#PCDATA)>
 <!ATTLIST tableInfo tableIndex CDATA #REQUIRED>
 <!ELEMENT OptGroup (#PCDATA)>
 <!ELEMENT infill (#PCDATA)>
 <!ATTLIST infill name CDATA #REQUIRED unlocked CDATA #IMPLIED displayZero CDATA #IMPLIED>
]
> <formData FileType="XFD">
  <formName>R185TI.lpw</formName>
  <formVersion>700005</formVersion>
  <date>06062008</date>
  <nPages>2</nPages>
  <formBinary uncompressedSize="45958" BlockSize="14586">
  <![CDATA[-> HEX ENCODED BLOCK HERE <-

[AndrewTait]

"The xdf file extension is associated with Adobe Extensible Forms Description Language (XFDL).
The Extensible Forms Description Language is an XML extension language that addresses key problems involved with doing electronic commerce on the Web."

It can apparently be opened with Adobe Reader.

[Mr AJ]

Tried adobe reader? that usually opens .xfd files.

edit: D'oh beaten to it. That'll teach me to press reply then go let the dog out.

Edited by Mr AJ on Friday 7th May 23:07

[t84]

You're f**king joking?! If it works then I will be a very happy man, thankyou!

[t84]

Doesn't work! :0(

[pdV6]

If it's come from a solicitor it might alternatively be a Laserform data file, which you won't be able to open with Adobe.

If this is the case, just ask the solicitor to save it as PDF from within Laserform before re-sending it to you.

Unless I can interest sir in purchasing a Laserform licence?

[pdV6]

Hint: when I say "might", I actually mean "definitely is"

[mybrainhurts]

Mr AJ said:

Tried adobe reader? that usually opens .xfd files.

edit: D'oh beaten to it. That'll teach me to press reply then go let the dog out.

Dirty boy....

[t84]

pdV6 said:

If it's come from a solicitor it might alternatively be a Laserform data file, which you won't be able to open with Adobe.

If this is the case, just ask the solicitor to save it as PDF from within Laserform before re-sending it to you.

Unless I can interest sir in purchasing a Laserform licence?

Unfortunately I really need to open this file by the end of the weekend, so I will try and have to find a reader for it

[t84]

Found a viewer: http://www.walkermorris.co.uk/content.aspx?id=399

Doesn't work

[bigandclever]

I'm sure PH rules state that pdV6 has now offered to convert the file for you

[t84]

Even if he was kind enough to do that, unfortunately the data is a bit too sensitive to send out (Tax affairs)

[TheEnd]

I'd contact the solicitors and tell them to get their act together

[pdV6]

t84 said:

pdV6 said:

If it's come from a solicitor it might alternatively be a Laserform data file, which you won't be able to open with Adobe.

If this is the case, just ask the solicitor to save it as PDF from within Laserform before re-sending it to you.

Unless I can interest sir in purchasing a Laserform licence?

Unfortunately I really need to open this file by the end of the weekend, so I will try and have to find a reader for it

I'm afraid that's not going to happen - it's a closed format that you'll need the specific software to interpret.

Happy to do it for you but understand you might not want me to see the data, which leaves you stuck on my original suggestion of getting your solicitor to save the data as a PDF from within Laserform.

[vxsmithers]

you can download drivers found on google to read these -try this: http://software.informer.com/getfree-pureedge-.xfd...
worked for my ceo last week... but it seems you've already tried it !!!

Edited by vxsmithers on Saturday 8th May 00:19

Edited by vxsmithers on Saturday 8th May 00:21

[pdV6]

vxsmithers said:

you can download drivers found on google to read these -try this: http://software.informer.com/getfree-pureedge-.xfd...

worked for my ceo last week...

It's not a PureEdge file, it's a Laserform file.

And no, there's no reader for the format except the proprietary software.

[davepoth]

Stupid question, but I've seen something this daft work before, have you tried changing the extension of the file to .xml and opening it in word?

[pdV6]

davepoth said:

have you tried changing the extension of the file to .xml and opening it in word?

At best, you'll get the kind of thing that's quoted in the original post, i.e. about as much use to t84 as a chocolate fireguard.

Seriously, the only way to open this data file is using the software that can read the proprietary format of the data embedded within it. i.e. Laserform. Then you can ask Laserform to save it as a PDF or print it.

t84, assuming that you are one of the trustees and are responsible for filling in all the data on the form over the w/e (rather than your solicitor), the other way to do it is to start from scratch using a PDF form downloaded direct from HMRC (e.g. http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/pdfs/r185_ti.pdf ).

In fact, this might be a good option anyway as the current version of that form is quite a bit newer than the old copy that your solicitor has sent you (somebody not paying their licence fees? )

[t84]

The file is from 2008

It appears to be an image file embedded in XML, if I could decode the block of data I'd be golden, I might just have to phone hmrc apologetically tomorrow (horrendously overdue with a tax return!)

[pdV6]

t84 said:

Found a viewer: http://www.walkermorris.co.uk/content.aspx?id=399

Doesn't work

Missed this earlier.

That viewer won't work as it's designed for a much older (now obsolete) Laserform file format (.lpd - Laserform Portable Document)