The XML Paper Specification describes XPS documents and how they are organized internally and rendered externally. The XML Paper Specification builds on the Open Packaging Conventions. The XML Paper Specification is intended for producers who want to create document files in the XPS document format, and consumers who want to access, render, or process the contents of an XPS document.

An XPS document is a paginated set of related pages. The pages have a fixed layout, are organized into one or more fixed documents, and stored according to the Open Packaging Conventions. XPS documents support digital signatures and information rights management of the contents. XPS documents also support optional components that can group page contents together for easier streaming and provide information and control data that can be used when the document is printed.

Software that complies with version 1.0 of the XML Paper Specification will create documents that are compatible with Windows Vista. Version 1.0 of the XML Paper Specification is compatible with the latest working draft of the Open Packaging Conventions and the Open XML Markup Compatibility specification.

XML Paper Specification