Opening a BAM File

The BAM file type is primarily associated with SAMtools.

BAM	File extension: BAM
	File type:	binary file

What is a BAM file?

BAM files mostly belong to SAMtools. BAM files are Binary Alignment Map files used to store aligned sequence data from DNA or RNA experiments. They save read alignment details in a binary form that is compressed using GZIP, which makes the file smaller and quick to load.
Key points provided by FilExt.com include:

Storage Efficiency: The binary format compresses large amounts of alignment information for easier handling.

Random Access: BAM files can be indexed so that specific parts of the data are quickly retrievable.

Core Software: They are created and managed by tools like SAMtools, and can also be viewed using genome browsers such as IGV.

FilExt.com note: For additional details, visit the HTSlib website.

How to open a BAM file

You need a suitable software like SAMtools to open a BAM file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your BAM file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a BAM file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online BAM Text Viewer

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Programs that open and convert BAM files:

SAMtools
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. BAM files are often referred to as SAMtools data files because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
Bob's Adlib Music
BAM is acronym for Bob's Adlib Music. The BAM music format supports 9 channel FM sound in low memory DOS enviroments. Play using Winamp with the AdPlug plug-in. This file format is classified as Audio. Related links: Winamp, AdPlug
Bravo! (Archived Media) by Thought Studios, Inc.
Bravo! is a way to create slide-shows, screen savers, and BAM files with your digital photos and music. Related links: Bravo! Player BAM File Player
Infinity Game Engine (Animation and Multi-frame Graphics) by BioWare Corp.
The identifying characters used for this association are - Hex:, ASCII: BAM.. This file format is classified as Game. Related links: Edit with BAMWorkshop
Infinity Game Engine (Zlib Compressed Animation and Multi-frame Graphics) by BioWare Corp.
Baldur's Gate 2 only. The identifying characters used for this association are - Hex:, ASCII: BAMC. This file format is classified as Game. Related links: Edit with BAMWorkshop
OHRRPGCE (Music File) by Hamster Republic
OHRRPGCE stands for Official Hamster Republic Role Playing Game Construction Engine. BAM is acronym for Bob's Adlib Music. The BAM music format supports 9 channel FM sound in low memory DOS enviroments. This file format is classified as Audio.
Panda3D Game Engine (Compressed Model Folder) by Panda3D Development Team
This type of file with extension BAM can holds sounds, models, textures, maps, data, etc. for the application Panda3D. Panda3D is a 3D game engine: a library of subroutines for 3D rendering and game development. Game development with Panda3D usually consists of writing a Python or C++ program that controls the Panda3D library. This file format is classified as Game.

Technical Data for BAM File Extension

File classification:

Data

Related files:

sam, cram, fastq, vcf, bai, gtf, ban, gz, bed, zip, rol

Related links:

Winamp, AdPlug

Mime type:

application/octet-stream

The following listing is compiled from the database produced by the 'Associate This!' program, selected data from the main FILExt database and file extension information submitted by users.

ProgramID: iPIX.bamfiles.1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\IPIX\IPIX Viewer\IpxViewr.exe

a bam binary file is a special file format and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with BAM files

Associate the BAM file extension with the correct application.
Update your software that should actually open binary files. Because only the current version supports the latest BAM file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the manufacturer website after an available SAMtools update.
To make sure that your BAM file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
Click here to open your .BAM file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.