Properties of CDX Files and How to Open a File with .cdx Extension

CDX files exist as 5 different types. Please find information about each of them below.

Type 1: Compound Index File

The compound index is the native database index format used by Visual FoxPro. There are two types of CDX files: Structural CDX file, automatically opened and maintained by Visual FoxPro, requires exclusive use of the table. Non-structural CDX file, not opened or maintained automatically, does not require exclusive use.

The CDX file extension is associated with CorelDRAW, a vector graphics editor for Windows. The CDX files contain a compressed CDR file version used by CorelDRAW. Use CorelDRAW to open and convert the CDX files.

A CDX compound index file encodes information for storage on a computer. The CDX format specifies encoding of bits in digital storage. File formats may be proprietary or free, unpublished or open.

Microsoft Visual FoxPro creates, opens, and views CDX database files. Users can install Visual FoxPro to create or add content to CDX files. The native index database files used by Visual FoxPro are CDX files.

Verify the CDX file is saved when backing up data, otherwise old CDX file lists remain and new ones will need creating. Common CDX filenames are the table name. Various software can open Alpha Five table index CDX files.

CDX is associated with compressed CorelDRAW files to reduce storage space. Useful for smaller email attachments or external media archives. CDX stores molecule data for ChemDraw editing programs. ConceptDraw PRO uses CDX for XML diagrams.

Six software programs relate to CDX files, categorized under five file types, mainly compound index format. Found on desktop and mobile devices with a “low” popularity rating.

Originally by Corel for CorelDRAW Suite, popular with US Windows 10 Chrome users. Database applications use CDX for index files. When deleted, engines reindex and recreate. All compound indexes are compact, containing pointers to DBF records organized by key values. Separate but associated with DBF. Open DBF first then CDX if needed. Default software is Visual FoxPro.

MicroStation CAD software cell library index uses CDX with CEL file listings. ChemDraw chemical exchange format. Alpha Five table indexes go in CDX files when defined. NovaBACKUP backup database index saves to a CDX file. Need suitable software like CorelDRAW to open.

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General Information

Title	CDX File Extension
Extension	.cdx
Full Form	Compound Index File
File Type	Database Index File
Developer	Microsoft
MIME Type	application/octet-stream

File Function

Primary Function	Store indexes
Additional Functions	Speed search
Features	Multiple key indexes, Multi-user environment support

File Characteristics

Quality	High performance
Supports Layers	N/A
Supports Transparency	N/A
Editable	With compatible software

Use Cases

Database Management	Yes
Data Analysis	Yes
Enterprise Solutions	Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks	Data corruption
Best Practices	Regular backup, Access control

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release	1984
Latest Version	Visual FoxPro 9 (2004)

Associated Types

Similar Extensions

.dbf, .fpt, .dbc

Software Compatibility

Software	Usage Policy	OS Compatibility
Microsoft Visual FoxPro	Commercial	Windows
dBase	Commercial	Windows

Type 2: Alpha Five Table Index File

General Information

Title	CDX File Extension
Extension	.cdx
Full Form	Compound Index File
File Type	Database Index File
Developer	Alpha Software
MIME Type	application/octet-stream

File Function

Primary Function	Index database records
Additional Functions	Speed up searches, Improve access
Features	Multi-user access, Compound keys

File Characteristics

Quality	Efficiency dependent
Supports Layers	No
Supports Transparency	No
Editable	Indirectly

Use Cases

Database Management	Yes
Data Analysis	Yes
Application Development	Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks	Data corruption
Best Practices	Regular backups, Proper indexing

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release	Unknown
Latest Version	Varies with Alpha Anywhere Version

Associated Types

Similar Extensions

.dbf, .alm, .alb

Software Compatibility

Software	Usage Policy	OS Compatibility
Alpha Anywhere	Subscription	Windows
Alpha Five	Deprecated	Windows

Type 3: CorelDRAW Compressed File

CorelDRAW Compressed (CDX) file format contains a compressed CorelDRAW file. The CDX file format is useful to reduce storage space. CDX files can be sent smaller files by email. They allow archiving d...

General Information

Title	CDX File Extension
Extension	.cdx
Full Form	CorelDRAW Compressed File
File Type	Vector Graphics File
Developer	Corel Corporation
MIME Type	application/x-cdr

File Function

Primary Function	Store vector graphics
Additional Functions	Compress CorelDRAW data
Features	Smaller file size, Indexed color support

File Characteristics

Quality	High resolution
Supports Layers	Yes
Supports Transparency	Yes
Editable	Yes

Use Cases

Graphic Design	Yes
Printing	Yes
Marketing Materials	Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks	File tampering
Best Practices	Regular updates, Trusted sources

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release	1980s
Latest Version	CorelDRAW 2021

Associated Types

Similar Extensions

.cdr, .cmx, .cpt

Software Compatibility

Software	Usage Policy	OS Compatibility
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite	Paid	Windows, Mac
XnView	Free, Paid versions	Windows, Mac, Linux
UniConvertor	Free	Cross-platform

Type 4: ChemDraw Exchange File

A CDX file may store molecular data, such as atoms, bonds, fragments, arrows and text in a tagged binary format. ChemDraw is a major molecule editor developed by CambridgeSoft Corporation. ChemDraw is...

General Information

Title	CDX File Extension
Extension	.cdx
Full Form	ChemDraw Exchange File
File Type	Chemical Structure File
Developer	CambridgeSoft / PerkinElmer
MIME Type	chemical/x-cdx

File Function

Primary Function	Store chemical information
Additional Functions	Share, exchange data
Features	2D, 3D structures, annotations

File Characteristics

Quality	High precision
Supports Layers	Yes
Supports Transparency	No
Editable	Yes

Use Cases

Chemical Research	Yes
Educational Purposes	Yes
Scientific Publications	Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks	Low
Best Practices	Regular updates, backups

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release	1980s
Latest Version	Depends on software version

Associated Types

Similar Extensions

.mol, .sdf, .smiles, .cdxml

Software Compatibility

Software	Usage Policy	OS Compatibility
ChemDraw	Commercial	Windows, Mac
ChemOffice	Commercial	Windows, Mac
ChemDoodle	Commercial	Windows, Mac, Linux

Type 5: ConceptDraw DIAGRAM XML Document

General Information

Title	CDX File Extension
Extension	.cdx
Full Form	ConceptDraw DIAGRAM XML Document
File Type	Vector Graphics File
Developer	CS Odessa
MIME Type	application/xml

File Function

Primary Function	Store diagrams
Additional Functions	Share graphics
Features	XML format, Scalable

File Characteristics

Quality	High resolution
Supports Layers	Yes
Supports Transparency	Yes
Editable	Yes

Use Cases

Business Diagrams	Yes
Flowcharts	Yes
Project Management	Yes
Network Diagrams	Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks	XML vulnerabilities
Best Practices	Regular updates, File validation

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release	Not specified
Latest Version	ConceptDraw DIAGRAM v14 (2021)

Associated Types

Similar Extensions

.cdmz, .cddz, .vsdx

Software Compatibility

Software	Usage Policy	OS Compatibility
ConceptDraw DIAGRAM	Paid	Windows, macOS