XNAT auto-deletes companion files (.cdt/.ceo/.dpo)

Ricky Wong

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Dec 3, 2025, 7:28:13 PM12/3/25

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Hi everyone,

I recently discovered some behavior in XNAT regarding file deletion and wanted to share my findings and ask if others have encountered this.

The Scenario

We store EEG data in XNAT using Curry/Neuroscan format, which consists of three companion files:

.cdt - main data file
.ceo - config
.dpo - display/parameter options

These files are uploaded as separate entries in a scan's resource catalog (with content and tag set as 'U').

When deleting a single .cdt file through the WebUI, XNAT automatically removes the associated .ceo and .dpo files as well - even though I only selected one file for deletion.

The companion files were already gone after deleting just the .cdt file.

How does XNAT determine which files are "companions"? Is it based on file extension patterns (e.g., knowing .cdt/.ceo/.dpo belong together) or content type / tag?

XNAT version: 1.9.1.2

Just wonder whether this behavior is intended in XNAT, and would like to understand it better so that I can maintain proper control over the file-handling process.

Thank y'all!

Ricky

Mohana Ramaratnam

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Dec 4, 2025, 12:31:00 AM12/4/25

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HI Ricky,

I am not able to reproduce what you are seeing. I tested against XNAT 1.9.3. I assigned the same Format/Content and Tag to the files (in this case U)

Screenshot 2025-12-04 at 10.56.39 AM.png

I deleted one file (12*.xml as well as .cdt) from EEG resource, the files left were:

Screenshot 2025-12-04 at 10.59.06 AM.png

Regards,
Mohana Ramaratnam,

moh...@xnatworks.io

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