How to open .NB files on Linux
To open .NB files on Linux, open the .nb file using a Wolfram notebook application available on your system (for example, Mathematica or Wolfram Desktop).
Step-by-step instructions
- Open the .nb file using a Wolfram notebook application available on your system (for example, Mathematica or Wolfram Desktop).
- From the Wolfram app, choose File > Open and select the .nb file.
- If your desktop environment doesn’t recognize .nb, open it from within the Wolfram app rather than from the file manager.
Common issues
The .NB file opens as an unknown file or in the wrong app
Your system may not have a Wolfram notebook application installed or may not have .nb associated with it.
- Install a Wolfram notebook application that supports .nb (Mathematica, Wolfram Desktop, or Wolfram Player).
- Open the file from inside the Wolfram app via File > Open, or change the file association to the Wolfram app.
Version/compatibility prompt when opening a notebook
Wolfram notebook tools may prompt to convert notebooks depending on the notebook’s version and your installed product version.
- Follow the in-app prompt to open/convert the notebook; if offered, choose an option that preserves the original file (open a copy) when you need to keep it unchanged.
- If conversion fails, try opening the notebook in a different Wolfram product/version that matches the notebook’s origin more closely.
Notebook displays but won’t evaluate code
Some Wolfram products or configurations may allow viewing but limit evaluation features, or the notebook may require resources/packages not present on your system.
- Confirm you are using a Wolfram product that supports notebook evaluation for your workflow (not just viewing).
- Ask the sender what Wolfram product/version the notebook was created with and whether it depends on specific packages or data.
Importing/processing .NB in Wolfram Language fails
Programmatic import may fail due to file corruption, incomplete transfers, or unexpected notebook content.
- Try opening the notebook interactively in a Wolfram notebook application; if it won’t open, re-download or obtain a fresh copy.
- Use Wolfram Language’s documented NB import pathway (e.g., Import["file.nb"]) and verify the path/filename is correct.
Security note
.NB notebooks can contain Wolfram Language code; only evaluate/run content from sources you trust, especially if the notebook asks you to execute cells.