XFDL files are Extensible forms description language files.

Normally you would install PureEdge forms viewer on a M$ Windows machine but if you own a Mac it is a bit less supported.

I downloaded an Intel Mac version of PureEdge viewer from the link below.

(click here to download PureEdge Intel Version for Mac).
If your Mac isn’t using an Intel based CPU, you will need the PowerPC version.  (Click here to download).

I tried to install it but I got this error: 

IBM Workplace Forms Viewer Can't Be Installed on THIS Computer!?!

Apparently the package installer is looking to see if you have OS 10.4 or the install will fail. You can get around this though.

Note: I have only tested these instructions on an Intel based MacBook Pro running Snow Leopard (10.6.4) If your version is different and you get an error during install, click here to let me know.

Also it has been brought to my attention that multi-page forms are only showing the first page since the buttons on the top do not work.  I am looking for a solution but have not found anything yet.

 1. Download the package here

 2. Mount the dmg file

 3. Copy or drag the MacViewer.pkg file to your desktop or to your /tmp directory

 4. Option click or Right-click the package and select Show Package Contents

 5. In the window that opens, drill down: Contents -> Resources and option or right-click  InstallationCheck -> select open with -> other  

 6. In the search box, type textedit and click the open button

(i used xcode but really you can use any text editor; textedit comes with Mac's by default.)

 7.

     Find the "10.4" as in above code and delete .4 so that you are left with "10".

  If you can't find it, hold command and press F,type in 10.4 in the find box and 10 in the replace with box and click replace all button (this should trick the installer into thinking you have OS 10.4 installed no matter what version of OS X you have installed.)

 9. Save the file, command + S, close your window and double click the MacViewer.pkg file and the installation should run without any problems.  You won't be able to save the file if you are editing the MacViewer.pkg file that is in the dmg file. Refer to step 3.

10. It will prompt you to reboot. Once your computer boots back up, hold command and press space and type in IBM Workplace Forms Viewer.app and press <return>. The app installs to your home directory i.e “/Users/yourusernamehere/IBM Workplace Forms/ IBM Workplace Forms Viewer.app".  You can try browsing to it with Finder.  

If you are still having finding it, click here for better details on how to open and use the viewer.

 If you are stuck, click here to Ask the Geek , and I will email you back with a solution.  Please include the version of Mac you are using, OS version, and error message you are receiving. 

To make sure what version you have click the Apple at the upper left corner of your screen and select About this Mac:

If your’s isn’t Intel, you will need the PowerPC version (Click to download). I haven’t taken a look at that pkg file yet. Should be the same tho.

If the app doesn’t come up with you search for it you can start it this way:

 -  Bring up search (command + space)
 -  Search for terminal and then press return
 - At the command line (if the installation was successful) type:  “start ./IBM Workplace Forms/ IBM Workplace Forms Viewer.app”

Green IBM Workplace Forms Viewer Icon

     
If you click on it, you will see a menu on the top:
 - Now click File -> Open

 - Browse to where you saved the .xfdl file:

- Highlight it and click open or just double-click the file.

You should then see something like this: