Open EMF files

Full name

Enhanced Windows Metafile Picture
Developer

Microsoft
Popularity

Have you encountered a problem with a EMF file? Don’t you know which program opens a file with this extension? You will find all the information you need about working with a EMF file here. In the further part of this page we have added a list of programs that should open your EMF file. It is enough you choose a proper application for your operating system, download and install it.

What is EMF file?

The file extension EMF identifies files in the Enhanced Windows Metadata format. These files can contain both vector drawings and bitmap images.

More info

EMF is an extension of the original Windows Metafile format (WMF). While WMF supported only 16-bit data, EMF is the 32-bit version of this format. Color information is stored in RGB, CYMK is not supported.
EMF is a native Windows format and can therefore be opened by many applications. It can also be used for printer control, ie the sending of graphics data to compatible printers.

Programs which can open a EMF file

Windows

Linux

XnView

Mac OS

How to open file with EMF extension?

In order to open a file with EMF extension one of the following programs must be installed on user’s system. If a problem with opening EMF file occurred, it is highly possible that none of the listed programs is present on user’s system. Even if one or more said programs are installed, there may be issues related with given programs. In order to solve a problem with EMF files, follow the instructions below.

Install Microsoft Office or other program from the list

Most often resolving problems with opening EMF files is very simple. Just install an appropriate program that supports such files. All of the listed programs support EMF files, but may vary in offered function and purpose. Some programs may be capable only of viewing contents of EMF files or offer file conversion options, but may not be capable of editing such files.

Set Microsoft Office as the default program for opening EMF files

It is possible that although a compatible program has been installed on user’s system, it is not used by the system to open it. This may happen because no default application was associated with this type of files. To associate EMF files with given application, select "Open with" from drop-down menu (accessed by right-clicking on the file). Then select from the list the program or application you want to be used to open this type of file. If the Microsoft Office applications is not on the list, select "Browse" option in order to manually locate the directory where Microsoft Office has been installed.

Check the section that lists most common problems with EMF files

Sometimes problems with opening EMF files may not lie with the application itself, but can arise due to other causes, such as:

File data is corrupted
EMF files has been not been completely download from the internet (only a part of the data has been downloaded)
Currently used user account hasn’t been granted necessary privileges to open EMF files (should that be the case, please contact your system administrator or IT specialist)
EMF file was being copied from a corrupted storage device and is incomplete or data is corrupted. (Copying files from unknown or untrusted sources should be conducted with great care as such files may contain malicious software, which can damage your system)