# Configuring Helper Applications

By default, the file types supported by Mosaic include HTML and text documents, JPEG and GIF images, and AU and AIFF sound files. You can add support for other types of files by configuring a helper application. Any program that accepts command line instructions can be used as a helper application.

To configure a helper application:

1. From the Edit menu, choose Helpers.

2. If the file type you want to support is listed, select it and choose the Edit button. Otherwise, choose the Add button to define a new file type.

3. In the Configure File Type dialog, complete the following fields.

   Note - For most predefined file types, the Helper Application field is the only field you need to complete. Default values are provided for the other fields.

   Description
   Type a descriptive name for the file type.

   MIME Type
   Type the MIME type of the file type.

   Suffixes
   Type each filename extension associated with the file type. Separate each extension by a space.

   Encoding
   Select the Binary or Text option to indicate how the file type is encoded.

   Helper Application
   Type the full path and name of the helper application, followed by "%s" where the name of a downloaded file should be inserted. You can use the Browse button to complete this field automatically.

   Service Name
   If the helper application is compatible with the Mosaic Software Development Interface, enter the DDE service name of the application. If no service name is specified, the command line in the Helper Application field will be used to launch the helper application.

4. Choose the OK button.

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