Tips to open MXL file

Can't open the MXL file? You are not the only one. Thousands of users face similar problems every day. Below you will find tips on how to open MXL files as well as a list of programs that support MXL files.

MXL file extension

File Name Compressed MusicXML Format
File Developer The MuseScore Team
File Category Audio Files

The MXL file is supported on 3 operating systems. Depending on your operating system, you may need different software to handle the MXL files. Below is a summary of the number of programs that support and open the MXL file on each system platform.

Operating systems
  • 2
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

What is MXL file?

The file with the extension MXL is the Audio Files file type. It was designed by The MuseScore Team. In addition to this file, the Audio Files category includes 771 related files. Compressed MusicXML Format is most often found on 3 operating systems. The file will work on Linux, Mac OS, Windows systems, unfortunately not on others. The main program that supports this format is MuseScore. This was created by Werner Schweer. There are also 4 alternative programs to handle the MXL file. The Melody Assistant, MakeMusic Finale programs will also handle the file when the MuseScore program does not fulfill its role.

How to open MXL file?

The most common problem when using Compressed MusicXML Format is that a specific MXL is not associated with the program. Thus, when you open MXL, the program selection wizard or some other program starts. This problem can be easily remedied.

The first thing you should do is just "doubleclick" on the MXL file icon you want to open. If the operating system has an appropriate application to support it and there is also an association between the file and the program, the file should be opened.

Step 1. Install MuseScore

An often overlooked issue is to make sure that MuseScore is installed on the computer. To do this, enter the name MuseScore into the system search engine. If we do not have this program, it is worth installing it, as it will help you automatically associate the file MXL with MuseScore. Below is a list of programs that support the file MXL.

Step 2. Create association of MuseScore with MXL files

If, despite the installed application, the MXL file does not start in the MuseScore application, you must create a file association. This option is available from the level of Properties of a specific file available in the context menu. Information about the file and the program that the file is associated with are available here. Using the "Change" button we can select the desired program. If there is no software on the list, simply select "Browse" and manually select the directory where the application is installed. The "always use the selected program ..." field will set the MuseScore application as the default for handling the MXL file.

Step 3. Update MuseScore to the latest version

If, despite the association of the MuseScore program with the Compressed MusicXML Format file, the file still does not open, check the program version and possibly update it to the newest version. Some applications allow you to update from the program level, and for others you need to download the installer from the Werner Schweer page and install.

Step 4. Check for the following problems with the MXL file

The problem may also be with the file itself if the above steps don't work. The most common file problems are:

Very often, the file may be size 0 or incomplete. Usually this applies to MXL files downloaded from the Internet in case the download did not finish properly. The file should be downloaded again, making sure that the process has finished correctly.
The most common cause here is computer viruses. Perform a virus scan using available and up-to-date anti-virus software. Alternatively, you can use the scanners available online. The scan should cover the entire computer, not only the MXL file that we want to open. As a result of the scan, sometimes it is not possible to recover MXL files, which are deleted if there is a backup of this file, then after restoring it, it must also be scanned.
A typical compatibility error - the program does not support the older version of the MXL file. Help should be sought from the software developer, as they usually recommend using free file converters or installing an older version of the program.
The file may be corrupted in a number of ways. Depending on the type of file, it is necessary to repair it accordingly. Some programs offer the ability to automatically repair MXL file corruption. You can restore the file from a backup or use The MuseScore Team help.
When reading, a message appears that the file was encrypted or corrupted. The encrypted MXL files cannot be played on other computers than the one on which they were encrypted, they must be decrypted before using on another device.
The operating system protects files in some locations (e.g. the root of the system partition) against unauthorized access. The problem is only writing to the file, not reading it. It is best to move MXL to a different directory.
This can happen on a file that does not support multiple access. Some file types can only be opened in one program at a time. Closing other programs should help. Sometimes you have to wait for the session to the file MXL to close. Some anti-virus or backup software may occupy the MXL file for a certain period of time. If nothing helps, please reset the device.