--- title: "File Names, Extensions and Paths" canonical: "https://help.innovyze.com/space/xps/19662987/File%20Names%2C%20Extensions%20and%20Paths" format: markdown --- The default location for files is the folder containing the .xp files (project folder). Files created by XPSWMM are located in this folder. Alternative locations for many files can be mapped in the dialogs where these files are selected. It is strongly recommended that the project folder be located on a local drive. --- The maximum path length (number of characters in folder name + file name) is 246 characters. For 2D models, the maximum path length is 128. > ❌ File names, file paths, global storm names, and scenario names must not contain any of the following special characters **,\\/:*?\"<>|!#**. Otherwise, the application will report an error. XPSWMM uses the following file naming conventions. Additional files are produced in [2](https://help-innovyze.atlassian.net/wiki/display/xps/The+Analyze+Menu#TheAnalyzeMenu-2DSimulationSummary)[D analysis.](https://help-innovyze.atlassian.net/wiki/display/xps/The+Analyze+Menu#TheAnalyzeMenu-2DSimulationSummary)  | **DB??** | The working copy of the XP database. This file is located in the directory pointed to by the TMP or XPTMP environment variable. This file is normally deleted when you Quit the program. | | --- | --- | | **XP??** | A snapshot of the current state of the working database (DB file). It is created when XP runs another program, eg. to Solve. This file is normally deleted when the XP file is re-opened. | | **LOCK** | A file used. This file is deleted upon termination of the child process. | | **MSGBOX** | The message box used to transfer executions between modules. This file is deleted upon termination of the child process. | | *******.****XP** | The main database. This file is updated whenever Save is selected. | | ***•XPT** | An XP template file. Essentially an XP file but it is used as a seed for subsequent .XP models | | ***•XPV** | XP variable list file. | | ***•BAK** | A backup of the main database. This file is created when a .XP file is opened. | | ***•MDB** | An Access database file. This file is created by XPSWMM when a .xp file is opened. If the model contains scenarios, the scenario information is stored in this file. | | ***•MUT** | A file to prevent multiple user access of an opened .XP file. This file is created on open. | | ***•XPP** | The projects database. This file is updated whenever Save is selected. | | ***•XPX** | A text file in the XP eXchange format for import and export. | | ***•OUT** | The text output file generated when a database is solved. | | ***•RIZ** | A specialized formatted output file. | | ***•PBS** | A specialized formatted output file. | | ***•CON** | A specialized formatted output file. | | ***•XLS** | A specialized formatted output file for spreadsheet import. | | ***•CSV** | A specialized formatted output file for spreadsheet import. | | ***•CDM** | A specialized formatted output file. | | ***•JSON** | A specialized formatted file. In XPSWMM, this contains rainfall data. | | ***•DES** | An intermediate file containing new pipe diameters when using the design undersized conduits option. | | ***•EXP** | An ASCII file containing the tabular XPX format. Created using the MAKE_XPX Configuration parameter. | | ***•EPD** | A plot definitions file. | | ***•PIC** | Background pictures or a file generated by Export Graphics. | | ***•DWG** | An AutoCAD® drawing file | | ***•DXF** | An AutoCAD® drawing file. | | ***•SCR** | An AutoCAD® Script file generated by the Export Graphics menu command. | | ***•SHP** | An ESRI® ArcView® GIS file | | ***•MID** | A MapInfo® GIS file. | | ***•MIF** | A MapInfo® GIS file. | | **ZZ*** | Temporary scratch files used by XPSWMM. | | ***•CFG** | XP-SWMM configuration file. | | ***•HEC** | HEC-2 Data input. | | ***•G02** | HEC-RAS Geometry input file. | | ***•HOT** | Hot start files. | | ***•INT** | Interface files. | | ***•RIN** | A rain Interface file. | | ***•TIN** | A temperature interface file. | | ***•MOD** | Mode setup file. | | ***•SRP** | Spatial Report Setup file. | | ***•GEN** | Graphical Encoding Setup file. | | ***•RDF** | Tabular Report Setup file. | | ***•DEF** | Profile Plotting Setup file. | | ***•DAT** | Functions as the intermediate between the XPSWMM graphical interface and the calculating engine. Dat files are text files containing commands. File is generated when the model is calculated. Previous versions are overwritten. File will contain sections starting with $RUNOFF, $TRANSPORT and $EXTRAN corresponding to the Runoff, Sanitary and Hydraulics modes. | **Primary Results Files** | ***•OUT** | The text output file generated when a database is solved. | | --- | --- | | ***•RPT** | An optional condensed output file generated when a database is solved. | | ***•RES** | An intermediate results file used by the program. | | ***•PLT** | An intermediate results file used for plotting. | | ***•SYF** | An intermediate results file used for plotting and for reviewing results (Hydraulics). | | ***•SYR** | An intermediate results file used for reviewing results (Runoff). | | ***•SYH** | An intermediate results file used for reviewing Hydrology results (Runoff). | | ***•SYT** | An intermediate results file used for reviewing results (Sanitary). | | ***•SYQ** | An intermediate results file used for reviewing hydraulics water quality results (Hydraulics). | **Scenario Results Files** | ***_SC200.* *_SC400.* *_SC600.* etc.** | These will be appended to the filename and found before the file extension of the files above for the scenarios. First scenario gets SC_200 second gets SC_400 etc. | | --- | --- | **Global Storm Results Files** | ***_SC100.* *_SC110.* *_SC120.* etc.** | These will be appended to the filename and found before the file extension of the files above for global storm runs. First storm gets SC_100 second gets SC_110 etc. | | --- | --- | **Topography Files** | ***.txt** | A text file containing survey data in the form of X, Y, Z or X, Y, Z, S where S indicates points on a breakline. Used to [create a DTM](https://help-innovyze.atlassian.net/wiki/display/xps/Topography+Layers+and+Objects#TopographyLayersandObjects-DTMBuilderDTMBuilder). | | --- | --- | | **aaaa.tin.X** | Files created to form a [TIN](https://help-innovyze.atlassian.net/wiki/display/xps/Topography+Layers+and+Objects#TopographyLayersandObjects-CreateDTMfromXYZCreateXPTINFromXYZFile). aaaa is the name of the source XYZ or XYZS file. X = a number with 0 being the principal file. |