Empty File Examples
Download a collection of empty (zero-byte) files in common formats: .json, .csv, .xml, .pdf, .zip, .txt, .html, and .xlsx. Each file has the correct extension but contains no data. Use these to test format-specific parsers with empty input — does your JSON parser return null or throw? Does your CSV parser return an empty array or crash? Does your ZIP extractor handle an empty archive?
What Is Broken
All files are exactly 0 bytes regardless of their extension. They have no magic bytes, no headers, and no content. Format-specific parsers cannot identify them as valid instances of their supposed format.
Why It Matters
Each format handles empty input differently. An empty .json file is not valid JSON. An empty .csv file might be valid (zero rows). An empty .zip file is not a valid archive. Testing these edge cases per format reveals format-specific bugs.
Expected Parser / Validator Behavior
JSON parsers should throw SyntaxError. CSV parsers should return empty results. XML parsers should throw 'no root element'. ZIP libraries should report 'not a valid archive'. Each format has its own expected failure mode.
Related Invalid Files
Related Validators & Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
Which formats are included?
The pack includes empty .json, .csv, .xml, .pdf, .zip, .txt, .html, and .xlsx files — all at 0 bytes.
Is an empty CSV valid?
Debatable. RFC 4180 doesn't explicitly address it. Some parsers treat it as zero rows (valid), others expect at least a header row.