Sometimes computer users come across files with the .dbf extension. It is not possible to open them immediately using standard Windows tools. The question arises about how to work with DBF files. It’s not difficult to open them, you just need to know a few rules and choose the software.

General information about the format

DBF is a format used for working with databases. First appeared in 1980 in the dBase II program as the main one. Since then it has improved and expanded. Thanks to its convenience and many years of habit, it is now “in service” in many commercial programs. The format is one of the standard in its field of application.

Currently used in data management systems, spreadsheet programs. The structure of a DBF file looks something like this:

• header - contains a description of the file;
• basic information in table form.

Sometimes files with other extensions come along with it: .dbt, .fpt. They are not independent and do not open without the main one.

You can open the DBF database using standard applications included in popular packages:

• Microsoft Office: Microsoft Excel,Microsoft Access;
• OpenOffice.org.

There are also separate programs for opening DBF, for example:

• DBF Viewer Plus;
• DBF Commander;
• DBFShow.

Their functionality may differ noticeably, but with the right selection they open ample opportunities:

• viewing, changing tables;
• saving files in other common formats;
• fast and efficient search for information;
• sorting, data retrieval;
• search for duplicates, etc.

Using Excel

To open DBF files without installing additional software, you can simply use Microsoft means Office. As a rule, this package can be found on most computers, especially office ones. The format is not “recognized” by standard operating system tools, but there is a way out. For example, in Microsoft Excel the sequence of actions will be like this:

Open by default

The method described above is effective, but not always convenient. The disadvantage is that you have to open it manually each time. You can automate the process by following a few simple steps:

The same result can be achieved by others in a simple way, also with the participation of “Explorer”:

1. The DBF file is selected with the right mouse button. In the menu that opens, you are interested in “Properties”.
2. In the window that appears there is a “Change” button. You need to click it and select the desired application, for example, Excel.
3. Click the “OK” button first in the selection window, and then in the “Properties” window.

Similarly, you can use Access instead of Excel. It's just a matter of personal preference.

Using online resources

If you need other ways to work with DBF, you can easily download one of the specialized programs online on the Internet. The choice of serious software is especially large, but you will most likely have to pay for it. Despite the widespread fight against piracy, there are many “cracked” commercial programs on the Internet. They are often distributed freely, but caution is advised. Such gifts may contain viruses.

There are initially free programs for reading DBF of good quality. A good example is DBFShow. It takes up little space and yet can do quite a lot. In addition to watching, here is done:

There is another rather exotic way for beginners to open the format. To do this, the file must be copied to a special server, where it will open. The result is available for review.

If Microsoft Office is not installed, it makes sense to try opening DBF in your package using the built-in table editor. In known products this feature is usually implemented.

Options opening dbf using excel
There are several of them. Note that the dbf format comes in several modifications: dBase II; dBase III; dBase IV; foxpro and several others.
What else can affect the accurate opening of dbf files? This types of documents. And here excel takes a leading place among other programs, and for its ability to open any type of document in dbf format.
The opening part is unique to this format, but saving requires additional explanation.
One way to open a dbf file This is to use the window through which we open the file, in the file menu. This is a fairly simple method, and even without special knowledge you can safely use it.
Step one - open excel, go to “file”, then “open” in the drop-down menu.

further "open" in the drop-down menu.

Thus, we see a familiar window for opening the desired file. We find the file we are interested in, and at the bottom right we put the dBase files, also known as dbf, if the file is still poorly visible, we put “all files”. In this mode required file you will definitely find it in the folder where it should be.
Having selected the file, click "open".

As a result, we will get our dbf file on sheet1 already opened in the excel file.

You can open the file and double-click on the file itself.
However, this is possible if you make certain settings in Excel. And so with the left mouse button we double-click on the file that we want to open in dbf format.

As a result of this action, we will receive a message in which the program will tell us that the result is negative when opening in this way, and will offer its own options for opening the file.

This is either searching for a solution to the problem on the Internet, or selecting the desired program from the proposed list. We activate the program by clicking on “ok” using the proposed list of programs. It's possible that dbf file It may have already been opened by another program. And we need to run the file in Excel, then we use the right mouse button, hovering the cursor over the dbf file, and in the menu we look for “open with”, find this tab, click on it and get the proposed range of programs. We look for Excel and click on the program shortcut.

And if we don’t see the excel program, then click properties, find the “general” shortcut and in the application settings click on “change”, select excel accordingly.

And so we looked at several options for how to open a dbf file in Excel.
It should be noted that when working with any of the described methods, you see a file opening window. If Excel is in the list of programs, then click on it. Otherwise, we are looking for “review”,

We activate it and do the manipulations already described above. However, a situation may arise when we activate the “open with” window and see the Explorer window.
In this case, you should go to the folder where the Microsoft Office program is located and look for Excel in it. It's usually easy to find. Changes can only be due to versions of Excel itself. Path C: Program Files Microsoft Office office # and for different versions Instead of the # icon, we supply the number of your installed office. We got into our directory, we see an excel file there. exe.

We point the mouse at this file and activate it. We will be taken to the already familiar selection list, and here Excel will certainly be visible.

As a result we will get open format dbf to excel.

To further open files in the dbf format, by simply clicking on it with the mouse, check the box in the list of suggestions “always use this program to open these files.”
Click “ok” and the next time, by double-clicking on the file with the mouse, you will automatically get the dbf excel file opened.
As you can see, everything is quite simple and is clearly shown in the pictures.

A .DBF file is a file that stores various data; this format is actively used by database management systems, spreadsheet management systems and others similar systems. It should be noted that in the field of spreadsheets and databases this format is a standard, which leads to its frequent use in this role.

This format was first used in the LibreOffice program, in which it was used as standard file for database management. Since LibreOffice is a family of very widespread spreadsheet and database management systems, and this extension has proven itself in its role, many other programs that had to use databases and databases in their work began to actively use it for these purposes. spreadsheets.

If we consider the structure of files with the .DBF extension, we can distinguish the following elements:

• Title. Here is information that relates to the structure of the database.
• Database area. This part of the file contains records of a certain length, which are formed into a table.

Typically, files with the .DBF extension come together with .DBT and .FPT files, which are not independent formats and can only be opened using the corresponding .DBF file.

History of the DBF format.

Since this format has a rather rich history, which dates back to the 1980s, during all this time the format has been significantly improved and modified, so despite the fact that it has remained the basic standard for many programs, it cannot be said 100 percent that Many modern programs that use databases and spreadsheets will be able to open this format, but in most cases a file in this format will be opened by many programs.

How to open DBF file

Users who constantly work with databases and documents that have DBF permission do not need to be told how and what program opens this file. But, if you received such a file and you don’t know what it is, you can’t open it and extract data from it, then this article will be useful.

Many programs can work with documents that are databases. The simplest ones are OpenOffice and LibreOffice and we will write about them.

These are office application packages for working on a wide variety of projects, including databases.

• After downloading and installing the OpenOffice package, launch the program by clicking on the program shortcut on your desktop. In the window that opens, select the “Open” button.

• Next, select a file on your computer that has .dbf permission for your database table and click “Open.”

• Then you should select the encoding of the document to correctly display the information contained in the file (incorrect choice of encoding can lead to errors and display of information in the document with incomprehensible characters).

• That's it, the document is open in the OpenOffice environment and you can continue to work with it.

Similarly, a database with .dbf permission opens in LibreOffice.

How to open DBF file in Excel

In Microsoft Excel, starting from version 2007, you cannot simply open a dbf file. Versions 2003 and older still support this file there was, but then it was removed. To convert a database into a table and to be able to work on it, you need to use special programs, which convert a file from one format to another, in particular, DBF Converter and others like them.

Software developers are not asleep and are actively creating resources with which you can open a DBF file online, edit it and save it on your computer without installing additional software. This program for working with DBF files - DBFShow - is still in development.

There are a large number of programs that can work with .DBF format files, some of the most famous are programs such as: OpenOffice and LibreOffice, you can download them above using the links provided.

You"re here because you have a file that has a file extension ending in .dbf. Files with the file extension .dbf can only be launched by certain applications. It"s possible that .dbf files are data files rather than documents or media , which means they"re not meant to be viewed at all.

what is a .dbf file?

DBASE developed the DBF format, which is generally used for database files implemented by the dBASE database management system software for storing, retrieving and referencing data saved in the DBF format. These DBF files are appended with the .dbf extension, and the content of these DBF files may consist of structured text data with details for the values ​​of the data stored in each field set or array data type. An xBase database management application is a program implemented with support for these DBF files. The popularity of the DBF format started its implementation into other database management applications. For instance, the Microsoft Access 2010 software can be installed by users of Microsoft Windows-based systems to create, open and view the content of a DBF file. Linux users can create, open and modify the content of a DBF file with OpenOffice.org versions developed for Unix-based systems. The Planamesa NeoOffice software can on the other hand be installed and used by Mac users to create, open and edit the content of these DBF files.

how to open a .dbf file?

Launch a .dbf file, or any other file on your PC, by double-clicking it. If your file associations are set up correctly, the application that"s meant to open your .dbf file will open it. It"s possible you may need to download or purchase the correct application. It"s also possible that you have the correct application on your PC, but .dbf files aren"t yet associated with it. In this case, when you try to open a .dbf file, you can tell Windows which application is the correct one for that file. From then on, opening a .dbf file will open the correct application.

applications that open a .dbf file

dBase

In 1980, dBase was published by Ashton-Tate for CP/M, the original developer of the software. It was the first database management system (DBMS) for microcomputer which included the query system which is database engine and the programming language which is forms engine. Some users said that dBase was an excellent interactive ad-hoc manipulation tool because one can easily manipulate, analyze, format and perform calculations while SQL have declarative operations which retrieves data sets from a relational database (RDBMS). dBase" first file format is .dbf . It is recommended by the Microsoft to save dBase file in Microsoft Works so that it can read by Microsoft Excel while its second file type is .dbt. For files with single indexes, dBase uses .ndx , and .mdx for files holding 1 to 48 indexes. The latest version of the legendary relational DBMS is dBase 2.8 while dbDOS 1.5 can quickly and easily work with dBASE III, IV, and V. for Windows 32/64 bit operating system. dBase Classic also builds high powered data-driven applications that use the xBase language and runs on lastest operating system of Microsoft when used with dbDOS.

Pervasive PSQL, dataBased Intelligence dBASE, Rosenvick AspireGold

Pervasive PSQL is an application developed by Pervasive Software wherein it is called a database management system that’s ACID-compliant. It is software mainly used to embed applications wherein different types of applications whether they are packaged software applications use this software. In cases where there is a file-based architecture that enables data partitioning, Pervasive PSQL is optimized for the deployment of software as a service. With this software, the applications have the ability to store data in the form of tables or store them in a non-schema fashion. Operating systems like Windows, Linux and MAC can run the Pervasive PSQL software and this comes with different editions like the 32-bit and 64-bit editions. This software also comes with additional features such as support for IPv4 and ipV6, page and record compression, agents for data backup, data replication, data auditing, row-level locking, data and over-the-wire encryption, compatibility with cluster environments as well as it supports English and Japanese languages.

FoxPro

FoxPro, a procedural programming language and database management system created by Fox Software, has been widely used even before it was turned over to Visual FoxPro. It still enjoys a strong support from its community of programmers and users up to this day. FoxPro versions 2.0, 2.5 and 2.6 are compatible with Mac, DOS andWindows 3.1 to XP. Version 2.6 is compatible also with Linux and Free BSD, SCO Unix and Windows 2000. FoxPro 2 used Rushmore, an optimizing engine that used indices to look for matching expressions, to accelerate data updating and data retrieval. FoxPro 2 was built originally on Watcom C++ that has its own extensor making it the most up-to-date technology at that time. It could access expanded and extended memory making it able to utilize almost all available RAM. If HIMEM.SYS is not loaded, FoxPro enabled a mechanism of using interrupts when extended memory driver is absent. File formats associated with FoxPro: ACT, APP, DBC, DBF, DBF, DBG, DBT, DCT, DCX, ERR, FKY, FLL, FMT, FPT, FRT, FRX, FXP, LBT, LBX, LST, MEM, MNX, MPR, MPX, NDX, PJX, PJT, QPR, QPX, VUE, WIN, TBK, SPR, SCT and SCX.

Planamesa NeoOffice

Planamesa NeoOffice

NeoOffice was developed by PLanamesa Software wherein it is known as an office suite for MAC OS X. It is equivalent to OPenOffice.org as well as Microsoft Office, but it is exclusively created for MAC OS X as this was conceptualized when there was still no OpenOffice suite available for MAC computers. NeoOffice also includes a word processor, spreadsheet, presentation program, database program, graphics, and a formula program. This office suite also supports a variety of file formats for every application within the suite. For instance, the word processor also supports files created using MS Word, StarWriter, etc. as well as their spreadsheet also supports files created using MS Excel, StarCalc, etc. Neooffice has a lot of features that make users create whatever types of projects using this application easier and more enjoyable such as the NeoOffice Mobile for securely sharing NeoOffice files with other users in their computers by simply publishing a NeoOffice document to the server for NeoOffice Mobile. This allows users from different computers and mobile devices to browse and view these files securely.

DataBased Intelligence dBase

dataBased Intelligence dBase

dataBased Intelligent dBased is a software that manages databases for minicomputers. It is a query system and a forms engine as well as a programming language. The format of dBase files is .dbf . This software was originally design for Control/Program Monitor and was later ported to the Apple II and IBM PC which is under the Disk Operating System. After several years, many companies made their own products which were Foxpro and Clipper. And these new programs were much better that dBase. dBase used to make and application for window such as Web applications. An IDE with and Navigator as well as a Command Window would be the feature of dBase, with a preprocessor and an interpreter machine which is virtual. dBase intelligence is also responsible for various graphical user interface such as Form Designer, Report Designer, Menu Designer ,SQl Query designer , a Project that manages upon deploying simplified dBase application, Container, and these objects under dBase can be subclasses by simply adding new properties at the runtime.

If you have found a file with the DBF extension somewhere and do not know how to open it, and the operating system cannot find installed programs that can work with such files, then you have come to the right address. Indeed, in our article we will deal with the problem of opening such files - we will find out why the DBF format is used in general, what programs are best to use for working with files of this format, and what should be taken into account.

What is DBF format

Most often, accountants will have to open dbf files - 1C 7 stores data in them

Dbf files are used to store and transmit information. They are used in management systems by databases, etc. Today, the dbf extension is used by various applications, although it was originally only provided by the dBase program. At first dBase was the most popular program for working with databases, with the advent of Microsoft Access it somewhat lost its position. Despite this, many new programs use the dbf extension.

What programs can open a DBF file?

Questions often arise about which program to choose to open a dbf file. So... A DBF file is a database file that can be used in Visual FoxPRO, FoxPro, 1C 7.7. Most convenient applications to edit such files are the following:

1. DBFShow. This is a free program. It is characterized by wide functionality, which is why it is popular among users. The developers are constantly improving the program, new features appear in it.
2. DBFViewer 2000 is an excellent, well-developed application; one of its main advantages is its wide capabilities for both exporting and importing data. However, it is positioned as shareware.
3. DBF Navigator - the program pleases with its speed and is distributed free of charge, but, unfortunately, the developer company has already stopped releasing updates.

If it is not possible to install the required application, then use Excel program or its analogue - Open Office Calc.

There is no way to open and save dbf files, so you must first connect the special add-on “dbf_operations.xla” and use it in the future.

In addition to those described, there are other editors that work with dbf documents. Only the most common methods have been listed here, which in most cases help resolve the question of how to open the dbf file.