4 file types use the .sds file extension.

NEW: Open your .SDS file online with File Helper . View Online

What is an SDS file?

MIDI format that contains standardized System Exclusive (SysEx) messages; may be "dumped" from an audio program or hardware device; supported by a variety of hardware and software samplers.

More Information

Category: Audio Files

OpenOffice Chart

An SDS file may also be a chart created by OpenOffice.org or StarOffice, office productivity suites originally developed by Sun Microsystems. It stores chart data and formatting information generated from spreadsheet data, allowing users to visualize numerical information as bar charts, line graphs, pie charts, and other types of graphical representations.

The charting component in early versions of OpenOffice and StarOffice used SDS files. Users who encounter SDS files today are typically working with older documents created in legacy OpenOffice or StarOffice environments.

The files contained both the data structure and visual settings of a chart, such as colors, labels, and axis information. Later versions of OpenOffice integrated charting more directly into spreadsheet documents, phasing out the SDS format in favor of embedded charts stored within spreadsheet files like .ODS files.

You can open SDS files with older versions of Apache OpenOffice and LibreOffice . However, current versions of the software cannot open them.

Programs that open SDS files

Updated: October 9, 2025

SDS Apps Data File

Data format used by SDS apps, a collection of simple applications and games; contains compressed data, such as images, sounds, and program settings, that is extracted and loaded at runtime.

Examples of SDS apps include Breakout, Directory Packer, Idle Media Player, and SDS Messenger.

Since SDS files are automatically loaded by SDS applications, they are not meant to be extracted or opened manually.

Programs that open or reference SDS files

Updated: June 18, 2009

HMI or Controller Configuration File

An SDS file may also be a configuration file for a Red Lion human machine interface (HMI) or controller. It contains settings that define how the HMI or controller functions. Administrators edit SDS files with Crimson, Red Lion's common programming platform.

Red Lion is an industrial automation and networking company that provides a variety of hardware to manufacturers and energy producers. For example, Red Lion sells the FlexEdge Automation Platform and a variety of HMI operator panels.

Many Red Lion HMIs and controllers use configuration settings saved as SDS files. System administrators can create and edit SDS files using the Crimson programming platform, which is Red Lion's proprietary configuration software for FlexEdge as well as their HMIs, Graphite Controllers, E3 I/O modules, Modular Controllers, temperature controllers, and panel meters.

You can open an SDS file and edit the settings it contains with Red Lion Crimson (Windows). Various versions of Crimson are available for download at Red Lion's website. Each version is associated with a specific set of Red Lion devices.

Programs that open SDS files

Updated: September 14, 2022