The Decline of VML

Vector Markup Language (VML): A Legacy of Two-Dimensional Vector Graphics

Introduction

In the early days of web development and document formats, Vector Markup Language (VML) played a significant role in the creation and display of two-dimensional vector graphics within Microsoft Office documents. Introduced by Microsoft as part of the Office Open XML specification, VML was initially intended to provide a standardized way of embedding vector graphics in various document formats, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. However, as technology progressed and new standards emerged, VML gradually became obsolete. By 2012, it was officially deprecated, marking the end of its role as a mainstream graphics format.

In this article, we will explore the history, features, uses, and eventual decline of VML, as well as its relevance in modern web and document standards. Additionally, we will discuss the technical specifications and its role within Microsoft Office 2007 and its impact on the development of newer graphics formats.

What is VML?

Vector Markup Language (VML) is an XML-based file format designed for representing two-dimensional vector graphics. It was initially specified in Part 4 of the Office Open XML standards (ISO/IEC 29500 and ECMA-376) and was used predominantly in Microsoft Office documents, specifically those created in Office 2007. VML provided a way for vector-based graphics, such as shapes, lines, and curves, to be embedded in Office files and rendered on screens without the need for raster graphics, which can be more data-heavy and resolution-dependent.

VML allowed users to create and manipulate graphics in an editable, scalable format, as opposed to raster formats like JPEG or PNG, which lose quality when resized. This made it an attractive option for embedding diagrams, charts, and illustrations in Office documents.

Historical Context and Evolution

The development of VML can be traced back to the late 1990s and early 2000s, a period when Microsoft was working to standardize its suite of document formats to compete with rival technologies like Java and Flash. In 1998, VML was introduced alongside the Office Open XML (OOXML) standards, aiming to provide a more flexible, portable, and scalable way of embedding vector graphics into Office documents.

By the time Microsoft Office 2007 was released, VML had become a pervasive feature of the suite. The format was integrated deeply into the document processing engine, allowing for the inclusion of vector graphics in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files. However, VML’s role as a standard graphic format in these applications was soon overshadowed by more advanced technologies.

VML in Microsoft Office 2007

One of the key features of Microsoft Office 2007 was its introduction of the Office Open XML file formats. These formats, such as DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX, replaced the older binary file formats (.doc, .xls, .ppt) used by previous versions of Office. Among the new features included in these formats was support for VML, which allowed users to insert two-dimensional vector graphics into their documents.

In Office 2007, VML was used for a wide range of purposes, from drawing basic shapes to embedding complex charts and diagrams. These graphics could be manipulated within the Office applications, offering users the ability to adjust properties such as colors, line styles, and gradients.

While VML was an important part of the Office 2007 suite, it was soon replaced by more modern technologies. The key issue with VML was its limited interoperability with other platforms and its lack of support for newer rendering techniques, particularly those related to web browsers and mobile devices. As a result, by the time Office 2010 and later versions were released, VML began to lose its relevance.

The decline of VML can be attributed to several factors, primarily the emergence of newer, more efficient graphics standards. The most significant of these was Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG), which became the dominant vector graphics format for the web. SVG, an open standard maintained by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), offered several advantages over VML, including better compatibility with web browsers and greater support for interactive graphics.

As SVG gained traction, VML became increasingly obsolete, particularly for web developers and designers. Internet Explorer 10, released in 2012, marked a turning point. While VML was still supported in Internet Explorer’s compatibility modes (which emulated older versions of the browser), the format was no longer supported in standard mode. This decision was a clear signal from Microsoft that VML was no longer a relevant technology for modern web development.

By 2012, VML’s decline was further cemented when Internet Explorer, once the leading web browser, began to phase out its support for the format entirely. As web standards continued to evolve, VML was relegated to the status of a legacy feature, available only for backward compatibility with older documents and web pages.

VML in the Context of the Office Open XML Standard

VML was included as part of the Office Open XML (OOXML) standard, which was developed by Microsoft to provide an open, standardized format for Office documents. OOXML was initially met with some resistance from the international standards community but was eventually ratified by both the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the European Computer Manufacturers Association (ECMA). As part of this standard, VML was designed to be used alongside other components, such as XML-based markup for text formatting and spreadsheet data.

Despite being part of the OOXML standard, VML was always intended as a legacy feature. Its inclusion in OOXML was meant to provide backward compatibility with earlier versions of Office that had used proprietary binary file formats. Over time, however, VML was superseded by more modern technologies, including the aforementioned SVG and other more versatile vector graphics formats.

Technical Features of VML

VML was a complex and powerful tool for representing vector graphics, but it had some limitations when compared to newer technologies. The key features of VML included:

XML-Based Structure: VML used an XML schema to represent vector graphics, which made it easy to integrate with other XML-based document formats, such as Office Open XML.
Shape Definitions: VML allowed users to define basic shapes, including rectangles, circles, lines, and polygons. These shapes could be filled with colors or gradients, and their edges could be styled with different line types.
Path Elements: VML supported path elements, which allowed for the creation of more complex shapes and curves. This feature was essential for creating illustrations, logos, and diagrams.
Transformation and Animation: VML supported basic transformations, such as rotation, scaling, and translation, which allowed users to manipulate graphics within their documents. However, VML’s animation capabilities were limited when compared to other formats like SVG or Flash.
Interactivity: VML was designed to be interactive, allowing users to click on graphics to trigger actions, such as opening a hyperlink or executing a script. This feature was particularly useful for creating interactive presentations in PowerPoint.

Despite these features, VML’s lack of support for advanced rendering techniques and its limited compatibility with modern browsers led to its eventual obsolescence.

The Obsolescence of VML

As mentioned earlier, the release of Internet Explorer 10 in 2012 marked the official end of VML’s relevance in modern web standards. Microsoft chose to phase out support for VML in favor of newer technologies like HTML5, CSS3, and SVG. This shift was in line with the broader web development community’s movement toward open standards and more efficient technologies.

In addition to the rise of SVG, another contributing factor to VML’s obsolescence was the increasing use of vector graphics in mobile and responsive web design. Mobile devices, with their varying screen sizes and resolutions, required a graphics format that was both scalable and lightweight. SVG provided these capabilities, making it the preferred choice for web developers and designers.

Furthermore, VML’s reliance on proprietary Microsoft technology made it less appealing in a world where open standards were becoming the norm. The web development community increasingly turned to open formats like SVG, which were supported by all major browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Opera.

VML Today: A Legacy Format

Despite its decline, VML remains a part of the legacy of early web and document standards. It is still included in the Office Open XML specification, but its use is limited to ensuring backward compatibility with older documents and applications. Today, VML is rarely used, except in the context of opening and editing legacy Office documents that were created using Office 2007 or earlier.

In modern web development and design, SVG has long since replaced VML as the standard for embedding vector graphics in web pages and applications. SVG’s widespread adoption, its support for interactive and animated graphics, and its compatibility with modern web browsers have made it the preferred format for vector-based graphics.

Conclusion

Vector Markup Language (VML) was once an important technology for embedding vector graphics in Microsoft Office documents and web pages. While it played a key role in the development of Office Open XML and served as a precursor to more advanced graphics formats, VML has since been phased out in favor of newer, more efficient technologies. The rise of SVG, coupled with the obsolescence of Internet Explorer, has relegated VML to a legacy format that is no longer actively supported or widely used.

However, VML’s place in the history of vector graphics cannot be overlooked. As an XML-based standard, it helped lay the groundwork for the evolution of modern web standards and contributed to the development of scalable, interactive, and resolution-independent graphics. Today, VML serves as a reminder of the rapid pace of technological change and the constant evolution of web and document standards.