ENT File Extension

ENT file icon

External Entity

What is a ENT file?

External Entity, identified by the ENT extension, is a Web Files type and includes 283 files.

ENT files are supported by Mac OS, Windows and Linux. You can open a ENT file using one of 3 programs, for example oXygen XML Editor, Atom and Sublime Text.

How to open a ENT file?

The most common reason why a ENT file cannot be opened is the absence of required software. To fix this, select a compatible program from the list. Then visit the official developer website via the provided link, download the program, and install it on your system.

The most popular programs for working with ENT files are oXygen XML Editor, Atom and Sublime Text. To get the latest version of Sublime Text, open the Sublime HQ Pty website where a universal installer for all operating systems is available.

Once setup is done, your operating system should assign Sublime Text as the default app for ENT files.

Make Sublime Text the default ENT viewer

Changing the default program in Windows

  1. Start by right-clicking on your ENT file and selecting the "Open With" option. From there, click "Choose another app" to continue;
  2. Inside the popup window, scroll through the list of applications and specifically choose Sublime Text as the application to associate with your ENT file;
  3. Check the "Always use this app" checkbox and click "OK".

Change the default app to open files on Mac

  1. Right click or use Control + Left Click on the desired ENT file to access a dropdown menu of actions;
  2. Select "Open in application" and click "Other";
  3. Scroll down to the bottom of the window, where you will find the "Enable" menu. Default, "Recommended Programs" will be selected;
  4. In this menu, choose "All Programs" and navigate to Sublime Text. Check the box next to "Always open in app" to make it the default program.

How to edit a ENT file?

To edit ENT files, you need to install specialized software that allows you not only to open but also to modify web files. Online ENT editors usually provide fewer features than software created specifically for External Entity.

List of Top ENT editors 2026

Following these criteria, we have put together a list of recommended ENT editors.

ENT Editor SoftwareDeveloperPlatformsOverall Rating
oXygen XML EditorSyncRO SoftWindows, Mac OS, Linux4.7 out of 5 (39 reviews)
Atom-Windows, Mac OS, Linux4.5 out of 5 (41 review)
Sublime TextSublime HQ PtyWindows, Mac OS, Linux4.4 out of 5 (46 reviews)

Finding answers to ENT file problems

If you encounter issues with ENT files, don’t worry—most can be fixed with minor software adjustments. Refer to the troubleshooting tips below.

What are the signs that my ENT file is damaged?

Corrupted ENT web files may have one or more of the following symptoms:

  • Poor performance when editing a file in oXygen XML Editor;
  • Opening or processing the file in Sublime Text or other programs causes instability or crashes in the program;
  • The file shows errors when trying to open it or does not open completely;
  • Unexpected expansion of the total size of the ENT file;
  • Working with the file triggers the display of error messages;

Why does Sublime Text quit or crash unexpectedly?

Sublime Text crashes can be attributed to outdated software. Make sure you have installed the latest updates for Sublime HQ Pty products.

A computer restart is often the key to solving numerous common problems. That’s why, it is recommended to restart the computer before making any changes to the software settings.

What methods can be used to repair a damaged ENT file?

Use a recovery program to open the damaged ENT file and navigate to the "Repair" menu item. Wait for the recovery process to finish, as it will automatically repair damaged web files.