SWC files (file extension of .swc) are text-based (ASCII text) files that describe three-dimensional neuronal or glial morphology.

The neuromorphological file format balances structure with flexibility by storing each modeled object as a unique data element and providing mechanisms for grouping any number and type of data elements. File-level metadata is retained to provide detail on the origin of the sample, ensuring that the provenance of derivative data is tracked and that important source information is not separated from the corresponding data.