Opening a PLC File

The PLC file type is primarily associated with PLC/CAD tools.

PLC	File extension: PLC
	File type:	data file

What is a PLC file?

PLC files mostly belong to PLC/CAD tools. The PLC file extension is used by different industries. It does not refer to one single file type. Instead, these files may contain varied data structures and serve separate roles.

JSON Zone Data: Some PLC files store data in JSON format, holding places and zones information. These files are used for mapping or location-based data, for example by services like Places.lk.
PCB Milling Gerber Files: Other PLC files contain PCB milling instructions. They work like Gerber files in printed circuit board design and are used with tools such as Eagle and CircuitCAM. More details may be found on the CadSoft webpage.
Programmable Logic Controller Files: Certain PLC files include instructions for controlling automation systems. These files are used in industrial control and may also support formats for 3D printers (as seen with the SLICE 3D printer file format from Stanza).
Placed Component Reports: A few PLC files serve as placement reports for PCB layouts. They are generated by software like PlasticCanvas and Altium Designer, detailing component positions.

How to Open & View:
FilExt.com notes: Identify the file’s content first. If you see readable text (for instance, a JSON structure or report text), you can open it in a simple text editor. If the file appears binary or structured for hardware configuration, use the corresponding industrial automation or CAD software to view it properly.

How can I open a PLC file?

You need a suitable software like PLC/CAD tools to open a PLC 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 PLC file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a PLC file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online PLC Text Viewer

Choose your .plc file to analyze

or drag and drop it here

Online File Viewer

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Programs that open and convert PLC files:

PLC/CAD tools
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. PLC files are often referred to as PLC/CAD tools data files because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
Lotus Add-in by IBM
This was a Lotus product. Lotus was bought out by IBM.
P-CAD (Database) by Altium Limited
PL/B (Object File) by Sunbelt Computer Systems, Inc.
The PL/B programming language (formerly DATABUS) is a high-level, English-like language that excels in screen, file and character string manipulation. Related links: ANSI Technical Committee J15

PLC file format details:

Every file has a defined file format, i.e. how the data is arranged in the file. The first characters in a file identify the file format, for example, HTML files start with the bytes <html>. However, different programs can use the same file extension, and file extensions can be assigned incorrectly. So you need a detailed analysis of a file to find out the format and the associated program. In the following you will find our evaluation of the PLC files:

The PLC file extension is not found very often and is used by many programs, each with its own file format. The two most common formats are as follows:

15% of all PLC files start with the magic bytes G75*, which are always the first bytes of this file format. If you open these files in a text editor, you can view and read the content yourself. Most of these files are 38 KB to 250 KB in size. Certain words are almost always found in the files, such as %AMOC8*, %IPPOS*%, %LPD*%, %OFA0B0*%, 5,1,8,0,0,1.08239X$1,22.5*, ADD10C, ADD11C, ADD12C, %MOIN*%, ADD13C, ADD14C and %FSLAX25Y25*%.
10% of all PLC files save the data in JSON file format. JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight data−interchange format. It is easy for humans to read and write. It is easy for machines to parse and generate. If you open these files in a text editor, you can view and read the content yourself. PLC files are between 950 bytes and 33 KB in size. The files contain the following words: markers, name, true, visible, color, routes, name_visible, FF0000 and zones. The file name places 2020-06-01 10_30.plc is typical for these files.

The remaining 75% of all PLC files are files with no common format, frequently e.g. funcdec and Pla. Sometimes used for location. You can get all the details of your PLC file by dragging it onto this page or by clicking the button "Choose your .plc file to analyze" above.

Technical Data for PLC File Extension

File classification:

Data

Related files:

ger, brd, rpt, pcb, plcdoc, lwplc, ap16, plcx, pcl, pclr, pkl12, plcs, swxcf, smart, lad, cmp, gpi, pdf, pls, prm, sts, atr, dri, plf, json, xml

Mime type:

application/vnd.mobius.plc

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: Ultiboard5placementfile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Electronics Workbench\EWB9\ultiboard.exe

ProgramID: ArchiCAD.plcFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Graphisoft\ArchiCAD 9-S\ArchiCAD.exe

ProgramID: ArchiCAD.plcFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ArchiCAD 6.5\ArchiCAD.exe

ProgramID: ArchiCAD.plcFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Graphisoft\ArchiCAD 10\ArchiCAD.exe

ProgramID: S7wsvapx.ViewDocument
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\SIEMENS\PLCSim\S7WSI\S7WSVAPX.EXE

Show all 5 listings To Top

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

How to solve problems with PLC files

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