What is the PMF file format?
.pmf is a read-only map distribution format created by Esri's ArcGIS Publisher extension for ArcMap. It is a derivative of the .mxd ArcMap document format, converted to a view-only form and optionally password-protected to restrict access.
A .pmf file stores the map layout, layer symbology, scale settings, and references to external data sources such as ArcGIS Server services or network geodatabases. It does not embed the underlying geographic data - the spatial datasets remain in their original locations. Opening a .pmf without access to its linked data sources displays an empty map frame.
.pmf files were designed for sharing polished map views with users who did not own an ArcMap license. The free ArcReader desktop application let anyone view, pan, zoom, and query a .pmf without a paid ArcGIS license, while ArcGIS Publisher (a paid ArcMap add-on) was required to create .pmf files.
Both ArcReader and ArcGIS Publisher reached end-of-life with the final ArcGIS Desktop release. The .pmf format is not supported in ArcGIS Pro. Modern Esri map-sharing workflows use MMPK (Mobile Map Package) files instead, which embed geographic data directly alongside the map definition.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWPMF files contain only map configuration, not executable code. Risk is very low. Data sources referenced by the PMF may be on external servers; the map simply renders what the server returns.
Format details
in a nutshell- Particle Mesh File (various scientific/game tools) - Some simulation and game engines use .pmf for particle mesh or physics mesh definitions; unrelated to Esri.
- Sega Mega Drive Music File - PMF is used by some Sega emulator and audio tools for FM synthesis music files; unrelated to Esri.
Programs that open PMF files
Windows1 app
ArcReader 10.8.2
Free Download ArcReader 10.8.2 from My Esri (free, requires Esri account). Double-click the PMF to open in ArcReader. Technical details
deep spec| Format type | Proprietary binary read-only map distribution file, derived from the ArcMap MXD document format |
| Byte order | Little-endian |
| Data embedding | Does not embed spatial data - stores references (paths or URLs) to external geodata sources |
| Access control | Optional password protection for read-only access restriction |
| Typical size | 50 KB - 50 MB (map definition and symbology only; geodata stored externally) |
| Associated OS | Windows only |
| Creating tool | ArcGIS Publisher extension (paid add-on for ArcMap) |
| Viewing tool | ArcReader (free desktop viewer; final version 10.8.2, December 2021) |
| ArcGIS Pro support | Not supported - ArcGIS Pro uses MMPK and MSPK formats instead |
| Format lifecycle | Deprecated; ArcReader and ArcGIS Publisher reached end-of-life with ArcGIS Desktop 10.8.2 in December 2021 |
| Content stored | Map layout, layer symbology, scale and extent settings, layer references, optional access restrictions |
| Magic bytes | Not publicly documented; identified by file extension and internal Esri binary structures |
| Released | 2001 (ArcGIS 8.1 / ArcReader 1.0) |
| Latest version | ArcGIS 10.8.2 (December 2021, final release) |
| Specification | desktop.arcgis.com |
PMF conversions
Community Q&A
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