Nerdy File Stuff

OnSong supports a number of file formats with which to export songs & sets including:

Adobe PDF

PDF is that boring standard file format that pretends to be "digital paper" (lol). OnSong can export a song or songs in the PDF format. When the "As a single file" option is turned on, a single multipage document gets spat out.

OnSong uses the page size, orientation, & margins as provided in Page Layout Shenanigans when exporting PDF files. Only text-based chord charts & other PDF files can be exported the PDF file format. If you have another file type in your set, that will get outputted as just the song title. Songs that use the PDF format will be appended to the document in the page size, orientation, & margins used in the original file. These files do not include annotations or sticky notes (sorry). PDF files include a .pdf file extension.

OnSong

The OnSong file format is usually just the content as it is written in the Song Editor. This is totes useful for importing into another version of OnSong, or to save in order to make future changes (because you WILL change your mind). These files are plain text & have the .onsong file extension.

ChordPro

Choosing this format will export the song content using the ChordPro syntax. This can be used to edit & view the file in ChordPro-compatible apps (you know, if those exist). This file format is text-based & has the .chopro file extension.

OpenSong

Choosing this format will export the song or set in the OpenSong XML file format. This can be used in other OpenSong-compatible applications for lyrics projection or library management (for the three people who use it). This file format is XML-based & has a .xml file extension.

HTML File

HTML files can be exported to view in web browsers on any platform. OnSong exports the HTML file to closely resemble the chord chart as rendered in OnSong (spoiler: it won't look exactly the same). This does not include annotations. HTML files have a .html file extension.

Text File

This outputs the song content as a plain text file, placing chords on a line above the lyrics. Text files are plain text & include the .txt file extension.

Song List

The song list is different from other file formats in that it does not export the actual chord chart, but rather a list of every song in the set or which has been selected using the Song Picker. This list is in the HTML file format & contains a table with the song title, artist, key, & capo.

The song list is exported as an HTML file that contains a table of the following song attributes: song title, artist, current key, & capo.

OnSong Archive

The OnSong Archive is one the best-kept secrets in OnSong (seriously, nobody knows about this). This file format is binary & can only be read by other versions of OnSong. However, these files contain all the info necessary to display a song or set in another version of OnSong (including styles, settings, annotations, & external files).

The OnSong Archive file format includes the .onsongarchive file extension & can only be opened by the OnSong app.

OnSong Backup

Exporting an OnSong Backup is a MUST for any user who has spent significant time organizing & curating their song library in OnSong (seriously, don't skip this one). The OnSong Backup format always stores a single file & always contains everything needed to restore your OnSong library to its original state. This includes user preferences & settings, songs, sets, styles, books, etc. The OnSong Backup file format includes the .backup file extension.

Some imported file formats can only be viewed "as-is" & cannot be converted to other file formats when exported. They'll just sit there, unchanged, like that sweater your grandma gave you. Deal with it.