All about DBF Files

The DBF file type is primarily associated with dBase.

DBF	File extension: DBF
	File type:	database file

What is a DBF file?

DBF files mostly belong to dBase by dBase. DBF file format is the standard database file format associated with dBASE, a database management system (DBMS) used in MS-DOS.

Main Use: dBASE uses DBF file format to save data in a tabular form containing fixed data fields, mostly database tables. DBF file contains a header that features the description of the data structure saved in the file. The header is subsequently followed by the actual data section that consists of records. The successful adoption and subsequent popularity of DBF file format in dBASE resulted in DBF files being used by the dBASE-like DBMS products (referred to as xBASE) that were later developed for the UNIX environment. There are many applications, dependent on dBASE or xBASE use DBF files to save information. DBF files can also be opened with many spreadsheet applications other database applications along with the custom made DBF viewer tools.
Other Uses: Microsoft Visual FoxPro, a DBMS developed from the roots of dBASE, also uses DBF files in a similar manner as dBase and xBASE. The shapefile format developed by ESRI for storing spatial data in a geographic information system uses DBF files to store feature attribute data. Other important applications that have their own DBF files are ArcView, Clipper, Arago, AbacusLaw, dBFast, Wordtech, Act!, Oracle Database, Alpha Five, iAnywhere, JetForm, NovaBACKUP, The Network Diary, Palm Zire, Psion Series 3, NovaLogic, and ACDSee.

How do you open DBF files?

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

Online DBF File Viewer

Choose your .dbf file to view

or drag and drop it here

Online File Viewer

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How to extract texts from DBF files or capture a screenshot to PDF, JPG, DOCX, TXT, ...

You can extract texts from DBF file or capture a preview screenshot using our online DBF file viewer:

To do so, click the "Choose your .dbf file to view" button above.
After your file is opened in browser,
click "Save as..." in the menu.
Then choose the file format (e.g. JPG, PDF, DOCX, TXT, ...) you want.
Download the converted file.

Programs that open and convert DBF files:

dBase by dBase
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. DBF files are often referred to as dBase databases because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
AbacusLaw (database file) by AbacusNext
AbacusLaw is a legal practice management software from AbacusNext. DBF files store data for databases in AbacusLaw. This file format is classified as Database. Related links: AbacusLaw Help Article Mentioning DBF Files, AbacusLaw Manual Backup Guide Mentioning DBF Files, Importing DBF Files in AbacusLaw, AbacusLaw Review
Access (database file) by Microsoft
Access is a database management system that is a part of the Office suite of applications from Microsoft. It can open several database formats, including DBF. The DBF extension is associated with dBase database files. This file format is classified as Database. Related links: Access on Wikipedia, Import DBF File in Access, Export From Access to DBF
Act! (database file) by Act!
Act! is a customer relationship management (CRM) software. It allows users to keep track of client and prospect details by maintaining a database that can be shared by multiple users. The software was previously developed by Sage. DBF is a common database format first introduced by dBase. Act! uses the DBF format for Contact tables. This file format is classified as Database. Related links: Act! on Wikipedia, DBF Files in Act!, Forum Discussion About DBF Files in Act!, Act! Review
Alpha Anywhere (database table file) by Alpha Software
Alpha Anywhere is a mobile app development platform that was previously named Alpha Five. The DBF format in Alpha Anywhere stores a database table. DBF files are called tables in Alpha Anywhere and Alpha Five. In Alpha Four, an older version of the software, they are called databases. This file format is classified as Database. Related links: DBF Files in Alpha Anywhere Documentation, Using DBF Files in Alpha Anywhere, Terminology Changes for DBF Files in Alpha Software, Packing Alpha Anywhere Tables (DBF Files), Alpha Anywhere Review
ArcGIS (shapefile attribute table file) by Esri
ArcGIS is a geographic information system (GIS) from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) that allows users to visualize, manage, and analyze maps and geographic information. The program is developed by Esri and has several product levels that vary in functionality and were previously named ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArcInfo. A DBF file stores an attribute table for a shapefile in ArcGIS. A shapefile is a vector data format for storing nontopological, geospatial data. This file format is classified as GIS. Related links: ArcGIS on Wikipedia, Shapefile on Wikipedia, ArcGIS Shapefile File Extensions Guide, ArcGIS Guide About Shapefiles and dBase Tables, GISGeography.com Guide About Shapefiles
CDBF (database file) by WhiteTown
CDBF is a DBF viewer and editor from WhiteTown software. It allows editing DBF files, which are a common database format, without using database management applications. DBF files are created by software such as dBase and Visual FoxPro. This file format is classified as Database. Related links: CDBF Help Page, CDBF Video Tutorials
Excel (database file) by Microsoft
Excel is a spreadsheet software that is a part of the Office suite of applications from Microsoft. It can open several database formats, including DBF. The DBF extension is associated with dBase database files. This file format is classified as Database. Related links: Excel on Wikipedia, How to Open DBF Files in Excel, Save DBF in Excel
FormFlow (database file) by Adobe
FormFlow is a discontinued line of electronic form design software that was originally developed by Delrina. The software was later developed by JetForm, which was bought by Adobe. The DBF format stores a dBase database file that is created when a form is filled in FormFlow 2. This file format is classified as Database. Related links: FormFlow on Wikipedia, Adobe FAQs for FormFlow and Other Legacy JetForm Products, JetForm Product Page for FormFlow, FormFlow Resources Page with DBF Conversion Utility
NovaBACKUP (Backup Database) by NovaStor Corporation
Usually found in an associated .DBF, .CDX, .FPT file collection. Program: NOVABACKX.EXE
Oracle Database (datafile) by Oracle
Oracle Database is a database management system from Oracle. The DBF extension is used by a datafile in Oracle Database. The file stores the data of all logical structures in a database. This file format is classified as Database. Related links: Oracle Database on Wikipedia, DBF Files in Oracle Database Documentation, Oracle Video Tutorial Describing Datafiles, Adding a Datafile to a Tablespace, Renaming or Moving Datafiles in Oracle Database
Psion (Series 3 Database) by Psion PLC
This file format is classified as Database.
SQL Anywhere (shapefile attribute table file) by SAP
SQL Anywhere is a relational database management system (RDBMS) from SAP. It can work with shapefiles from ESRI, which are used to store nontopological, geospatial data. A DBF file stores an attribute table for a shapefile. This file format is classified as GIS. Related links: SQL Anywhere on Wikipedia, SQL Anywhere Shapefile Support Page, SQL Anywhere Wiki Page Mentioning DBF Files, Shapefile on Wikipedia, ArcGIS Shapefile File Extensions Guide
The Network Diary (Database) by CF Systems Ltd
The Network Diary provides a desktop tool to enhance the efficiency of your company's operations. This file format is classified as Database.
Visual FoxPro (database table file) by Microsoft
Visual FoxPro is a development environment with a built-in relational database system. It was originally developed as FoxBASE. A database table in Visual FoxPro has the DBF extension. This file format is classified as Database. Related links: Visual FoxPro on Wikipedia, Visual FoxPro History, Visual FoxPro Old Web Page, Visual FoxPro Guide Describing DBF Files, Video Tutorial for Creating a DBF File in Visual FoxPro

DBF file format details:

If you can determine the file format, the associated program can also be determined. Often, the file format can be deduced from the file extension or the initial bytes (called the signature). If the file extension or signature does not match the file format, errors will occur when opening or editing the file. If there are problems opening a file, you must first determine the file format used. Our evaluation of the DBF files looks like this:

The DBF extension is very commonly found and uses a uniform format that many programs support. The following file formats are most commonly found in DBF files:

65% of all DBF files are XBase DataBase files. These files are plain text, which means they can be viewed with any text editor such as Windows Editor, Nano for Linux, and TextEdit for macOS. DBF files can be up to 1 GB in size, but are often around 450 bytes - 10 MB. The file type was used 20 years ago but is still in use today. These files can be linked to free, buildings, landuse, line, natural, places, dskkar and point.
6% of all DBF files use the same file format, which have the signature 30 15. These files are not pure binary files and are therefore readable and interpretable with a text editor. Most of these files are 550 bytes to 2 MB in size. An example of a file name is FOXUSER.DBF.

The remaining 29% of all DBF files are files with no common format, often, for example, Psion serie 3 Database. These files are often connected to area, boundary, polygon, traffic, dskwor, export or user. You can get all the details of your DBF file by dragging it onto this page or by clicking the button "Choose your .dbf file to view" above.

Technical Data for DBF File Extension

File classification:

Database

Related files:

cpg, dfb, prj, shp, dpf, dbt, shx, bdf, sbx, sbn, cdx, fpt, qpj, ntx, dbp, zip, dbc, mdx, dbs, check, ndx, lbl, str

Mime type:

application/dbase, application/dbf, application/x-dbase

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: ACT!.Database, FileType: ACT! Database, AppName: ACT! 5.0 Application
EXEFile: act.exe

ProgramID: DatabaseFile, FileType: Database File

ProgramID: DBFFile, FileType: dBase Table, AppName: Paradox for Windows Desktop
EXEFile: pdxwin32.exe

ProgramID: Frigate3.edit, FileType: Write Document, AppName: Frigate3

ProgramID: Codeplug.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Motorola\IDENRS~1\Carrier\IDENCA~1.EXE %1

ProgramID: DBFFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Programs\pdxwin32.exe -b %1

ProgramID: Pdoxwin7Table
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Borland\Paradox\pdxwin32.exe -b %1

ProgramID: Visual.FoxPro.Table
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\microsoft visual studio\vfp98\vfp6.exe -SHELL

ProgramID: ACT!.Database
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ACT\act.exe %1

ProgramID: Visual.FoxPro.Table.5
EXEFile: C:\DevStudio\VFP\VFP.EXE -SHELL

ProgramID: Visual.FoxPro.Table
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Visual FoxPro 8\vfp8.exe -SHELLOPEN %1

ProgramID: Codeplug.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Motorola\IDENRS~1\SUPERA~1\IDENSU~1.EXE %1

ProgramID: Codeplug.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Motorola\IDENRS~1\Carrier\DEPOT1~1.EXE

ProgramID: Visual.FoxPro.Table
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Vfp9\vfp9.exe -SHELLOPEN

ProgramID: ACT!.Database
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Symantec\ACT\act.exe

ProgramID: dBASETableFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\VISUALDB\BIN\dbasewin.exe

ProgramID: M2M.dbfFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VFP\vfp8r.dll

ProgramID: CpetDBFFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\CheetahPet\CPET.EXE

ProgramID: DBF Viewer 2000
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\DBF Viewer 2000\dbview.exe

ProgramID: Timtel_AdressesListe
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\TIMTEL\DBLIST.EXE

Show all 20 listings To Top

a dbf database file is a special file format by dBase and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with DBF files

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