What is the GXW file format?
A .gxw file is a workspace file saved by GRASS GIS, the open-source geographic information system. It records the state of the wxGUI graphical interface - layer tree structure, map display window layouts, canvas settings, and references to the map layers loaded at the time of saving. Opening a .gxw file restores the full interface layout without re-adding each layer manually.
The format is plain XML, beginning with a standard <?xml declaration and a root <gxw> element. It stores layer names as references within the current GRASS database, location, and mapset - not the geodata itself. This means a .gxw file is not portable between machines or databases unless the referenced layer names exist identically in the target environment.
.gxw files can be loaded via the command g.gui wxpython workspace=file.gxw or through File → Workspace → Load in the GRASS GUI, and saved from File → Workspace → Save. File size is small, typically between 1 KB and 50 KB, growing proportionally with the number of layers and display panels configured.
The format was introduced around 2006 with the wxPython-based wxGUI in GRASS GIS 6.3 and continues to evolve with GRASS 8.x. Workspace files created under GRASS 6.x may need minor adjustments to load correctly in GRASS 8.x.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWGXW files are plain XML containing only layer names and display settings; no executable code, no embedded data. Safe to open in any text editor for inspection.
Format details
in a nutshellPrograms that open GXW files
Windows1 app
GRASS GIS
Open-source In GRASS GIS GUI: File → Workspace → Load Workspace → select the .gxw file. Or from terminal: g.gui wxpython workspace=/path/to/file.gxw 
macOS1 app
GRASS GIS
Open-source Install via Homebrew (brew install grass) or OSGeo4Mac; then load the workspace via GUI or command line as above. 
Linux1 app
GRASS GIS
Open-source Run: grass --gui; then File → Workspace → Load Workspace. Or: g.gui wxpython workspace=file.gxw from within a GRASS session. Technical details
deep spec| Format type | XML workspace and session configuration file |
| Encoding | Text, UTF-8 |
| XML root element | `<gxw>` |
| File signature | Standard `<?xml` declaration at offset 0; no GRASS-specific magic bytes |
| Typical file size | 1 KB - 50 KB (grows proportionally with number of layers and display panels) |
| Stores | Layer tree definitions, map display window layouts, canvas settings, and layer name references |
| Does not store | Actual geodata - all map layer content remains in the GRASS database/mapset on disk |
| Portability | Layer references by name only; not portable between different GRASS databases unless layer names match exactly |
| Load command | `g.gui wxpython workspace=file.gxw` or File → Workspace → Load in the wxGUI |
| Origin | Introduced with the wxPython-based wxGUI for GRASS GIS 6.3 |
| Version compatibility | Workspace files from GRASS 6.x may need adjustment for GRASS 8.x due to interface changes |
| Associated OS | Linux, Windows, macOS (GRASS GIS is cross-platform) |
| License | Open source (GNU GPL); format evolves with GRASS GIS development |
| Application | GRASS GIS wxGUI - saves and restores complete interface state including multi-panel map displays |
| Released | circa 2006 (wxGUI graphical interface for GRASS GIS 6.x) |
| Latest version | current (GRASS GIS 8.x, 2022+) |
| Open standard | Yes · royalty-free |
| Specification | grass.osgeo.org |
GXW conversions
Community Q&A
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