What is a .RELS file?
A .RELS file is a type of metadata file used in Microsoft Office Open XML documents, which include Word (.DOCX), Excel (.XLSX), and PowerPoint (.PPTX) files. These files help organize and manage how different parts of an Office document are linked together. The .RELS file contains XML code that describes the relationships between various components or "parts" of a document, ensuring they work together correctly to form the complete file.
.RELS files are typically stored in a special folder named "_rels" within the structure of an Office Open XML (OOXML) document. Although these files are crucial for the functioning of Office documents, they are not meant to be opened directly by users. Instead, they are automatically referenced and used by Microsoft Office applications when you open a document like a Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file.
If you are curious about the contents of a .RELS file, you can view it using a simple text editor because it is formatted in XML. However, it's important not to modify the contents of a .RELS file. Altering the file can disrupt the relationships defined within, potentially making the Office document unusable.
The XML syntax used in .RELS files includes elements like `
Programs that can open and manage documents containing .RELS files include Microsoft Word 365, Microsoft Excel 365, and Microsoft PowerPoint 365. These applications handle the .RELS files behind the scenes, so you typically don't need to worry about them.
Note that the use of OOXML and .RELS files started with Microsoft Office 2007, as part of enhancing the way documents are structured and managed.
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