Read-only map file created with ArcMap, a application included with ESRI Desktop GIS; stores a constrained version of a .MXD map file; can be viewed with the free ArcReader application, which allows maps to be shared with users who have not purchased the commercial ArcGIS software; often emailed to clients or co-workers in collaborative office environments.

PMF files can limit the data views, layouts, navigation, printing, querying, panning, and zooming capabilities of the map. They may also be password protected. This helps to protect the confidentiality and privacy of data. Published maps do not contain actual geographical data. Instead, they link to data sets at a central remote location, which may be hosted by an ArcMap Server or available over the Internet. Therefore, users need appropriate network access to the referenced data repository to view the maps. NOTE: PMF files are actually created by ArcGIS Publisher, an extension included with ArcMap.