Shows basic information about the data in an OpenMS readable file.

pot. predecessor tools	→ FileInfo →	pot. successor tools
any tool operating on MS peak data (in mzML format)	→ FileInfo →	none ; console or text file

This tool can show basic information about the data in different file types, such as raw peak, featureXML and consensusXML files. It can

show information about the data range of a file (m/z, RT, ion mobility, intensity)
show a statistical summary for intensities, qualities, feature widths, precursor charges, activation methods
show an overview of the metadata
validate several XML formats against their XML schema
check for corrupt data in a file (e.g., duplicate spectra)

The command line parameters of this tool are:

FileInfo -- Shows basic information about the file, such as data ranges and file type.
Full documentation: http://www.openms.de/doxygen/nightly/html/TOPP_FileInfo.html
Version: 3.6.0-pre-nightly-2026-03-12 Mar 13 2026, 01:45:58, Revision: 88f2819
To cite OpenMS:
 + Pfeuffer, J., Bielow, C., Wein, S. et al.. OpenMS 3 enables reproducible analysis of large-scale mass spec
   trometry data. Nat Methods (2024). doi:10.1038/s41592-024-02197-7.

Usage:
  FileInfo <options>

Options (mandatory options marked with '*'):
  -in <file>*        Input file (valid formats: 'mzData', 'mzXML', 'mzML', 'sqMass', 'dta', 'dta2d', 'mgf', 
                     'featureXML', 'consensusXML', 'idXML', 'pepXML', 'mzTab', 'fid', 'mzid', 'trafoXML', 
                     'fasta', 'pqp')
  -in_type <type>    Input file type -- default: determined from file extension or content (valid: 'mzData', 
                     'mzXML', 'mzML', 'sqMass', 'dta', 'dta2d', 'mgf', 'featureXML', 'consensusXML', 'idXML',
                      'pepXML', 'mzTab', 'fid', 'mzid', 'trafoXML', 'fasta', 'pqp')
  -out <file>        Optional output file. If left out, the output is written to the command line. (valid 
                     formats: 'txt')
  -m                 Show meta information about the whole experiment
  -p                 Shows data processing information
  -s                 Computes a five-number statistics of intensities, qualities, and widths
  -d                 Show detailed listing of all spectra and chromatograms (peak files only)
  -c                 Check for corrupt data in the file (peak files only)
  -v                 Validate the file only (for mzML, mzData, mzXML, featureXML, idXML, consensusXML, pepXML
                     )
  -i                 Check whether a given mzML file contains valid indices (conforming to the indexedmzML 
                     standard)
                     
Common TOPP options:
  -ini <file>        Use the given TOPP INI file
  -threads <n>       Sets the number of threads allowed to be used by the TOPP tool (default: '1')
  -write_ini <file>  Writes the default configuration file
  --help             Shows options
  --helphelp         Shows all options (including advanced)

INI file documentation of this tool:

Legend:

required parameter

advanced parameter

This section lists all parameters supported by the tool. Parameters are organized into hierarchical subsections that group related settings together. Subsections may contain further subsections or individual parameters.

Each parameter entry contains the following information:

Name The identifier used in configuration files and on the command line.
Default value The value used if the parameter is not explicitly specified.
Description A short explanation describing the purpose and behavior of the parameter.
Tags Additional metadata associated with the parameter.
Restrictions Allowed value ranges for numeric parameters or valid options for string parameters.

Parameter tags provide additional information about how a parameter is used. Some tags indicate whether a parameter is required or intended for advanced configuration, while others may be used internally by OpenMS or workflow tools.

Parameters highlighted as required must be specified for the tool to run successfully. Parameters marked as advanced allow fine-tuning of algorithm behavior and are typically not needed for standard workflows.

+FileInfoShows basic information about the file, such as data ranges and file type.

version3.6.0-pre-nightly-2026-03-12 Version of the tool that generated this parameters file.

++1Instance '1' section for 'FileInfo'

in input fileinput file*.mzData, *.mzXML, *.mzML, *.sqMass, *.dta, *.dta2d, *.mgf, *.featureXML, *.consensusXML, *.idXML, *.pepXML, *.mzTab, *.fid, *.mzid, *.trafoXML, *.fasta, *.pqp

in_type input file type -- default: determined from file extension or contentmzData, mzXML, mzML, sqMass, dta, dta2d, mgf, featureXML, consensusXML, idXML, pepXML, mzTab, fid, mzid, trafoXML, fasta, pqp

out Optional output file. If left out, the output is written to the command line.output file*.txt

out_tsv Second optional output file. Tab separated flat text file.output file*.tsv

mfalse Show meta information about the whole experimenttrue, false

pfalse Shows data processing informationtrue, false

sfalse Computes a five-number statistics of intensities, qualities, and widthstrue, false

dfalse Show detailed listing of all spectra and chromatograms (peak files only)true, false

cfalse Check for corrupt data in the file (peak files only)true, false

vfalse Validate the file only (for mzML, mzData, mzXML, featureXML, idXML, consensusXML, pepXML)true, false

ifalse Check whether a given mzML file contains valid indices (conforming to the indexedmzML standard)true, false

log Name of log file (created only when specified)

debug0 Sets the debug level

threads1 Sets the number of threads allowed to be used by the TOPP tool

no_progressfalse Disables progress logging to command linetrue, false

forcefalse Overrides tool-specific checkstrue, false

testfalse Enables the test mode (needed for internal use only)true, false

In order to enrich the resulting data of your analysis pipeline or to quickly compare different outcomes of your pipeline you can invoke the aforementioned information of your input data and (intermediary) results.