.xfl

Extension: Animate Uncompressed Animation

Developer: Adobe Systems

The .xfl file extension signifies an Adobe Animate (formerly Macromedia Flash) project file. Unlike the published .swf file which is a compiled, compressed version ready for playback, the .xfl file holds the source code of your animation. This means it contains all the editable elements of your project: individual frames, layers (allowing for complex animation sequencing), vector graphics, text, and other interactive elements. Think of it as the raw, editable blueprint of your animation, allowing for complete control and modification before final export. Importantly, .xfl files do not contain any embedded audio or video; these are typically added during the export process to create the final .swf or other output formats.

Opening an .xfl file requires Adobe Animate. You can’t view or edit these files using other software. Simply double-clicking the file will usually open it directly in Animate if it’s your default application for such files. If not, you’ll need to right-click the file and select “Open with” and then choose Adobe Animate from the list of programs. Note that older versions of Animate may not be compatible with newer .xfl files, so using a recent version of the software is recommended for optimal results. If you lack Adobe Animate, you won’t be able to access the contents of the .xfl file; conversion to other formats is generally not possible without using the Animate software itself.