Opening GAF Files

The GAF file type is primarily associated with QuickGO.

GAF	File extension: GAF
	File type:	data file

What is a GAF file?

GAF files mostly belong to QuickGO. GAF files are not a single format but rather a label used by different applications.

• Gene Association Files – These are plain text files used in bioinformatics to store gene ontology annotations. They list gene identifiers paired with functional details and follow a strict column structure. Programs like QuickGO (geneontology.org) and the EBI GO Annotation tool (EBI GOA) use these files; some are encoded in UTF-8.
• Graphics Animation Format – In other cases, a GAF file holds animation data. These files contain information such as animation sequences, sprite data, and other graphic asset details. This format is used in game development and animation software such as Cocos Creator (Cocos Creator) and Spine (esotericsoftware.com), and sometimes even serve as a game archive file for formats like Gameboy Advance ROM images (gamua.com/starling).
• Other Formats – Less common uses include:
  • CAD drawing files from EuroCAD.
  • General Automation Files, sometimes noted as General Assembly Files.
  • Global Accounting Files, which may incorporate aspects of XBRL audit data and be processed by accounting applications like Nuance PDF Create and CaseWare Working Papers (Nuance).

Note: The proper application to open a GAF file depends on its origin. Check the file header and any embedded markers to decide whether it is a gene association file, an animation file, or another specialized type.
FilExt.com tip: Use the software native to the file’s creation environment for best results. For gene annotation data, bioinformatics tools are best; for animation data, a game development or animation tool should be used.

How to open GAF files

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

Online GAF File Viewer

Choose your .gaf file to view this image

or drag and drop it here

Online File Viewer

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How to convert GAF files to JPG, PDF, HTML, DOC, ...

1. Just click the "Choose your .gaf file to view this image" button on this page.
2. Your GAF file will then be displayed in the browser.
3. Now click on "Save as..." at the top of the page.
4. Then click the file format (e.g. PDF, JPG, DOCX, TXT, ...) you want.
5. Download the converted file.

GAF file format details:

If you can determine the file format, the associated program can also be determined. Each file format has a unique extension and almost always a unique signature. For example, Microsoft Word documents have the extension .docx and the signature (usually the first 3 characters in this file) PK. However, different programs can use the same file extension. Furthermore, a file extension can be renamed incorrectly and double-clicking on it will then display an error when it is opened. So a detailed analysis of a file is vital in order to determine the format and the associated program. In the following you will find our evaluation of the GAF files:

The GAF file extension includes various formats for various programs. The following file formats are most commonly found in GAF files:

• 35% of all GAF files use the same file format, which can be identified by the letters "!gaf-version:" at the beginning. These files contain text and words, not binary data. The files are often between 950 KB and 100 MB in size. This file type is based on cutting-edge technology. The files contain the following words: !===========, !gaf-version: 2.1, !Header from source association file, !Generated by GO Central, !Date Generated and Date Generated by GOC. The file name goa_human.gaf or mgi.gaf is characteristic of these files. Files like these are sometimes connected to human, ecocyc, valid, tair, association, complex and gene.
• 20% of all GAF files start with the bytes CAG, which are crucial for this file format. The contents of these files cannot be read by a human; only a computer program can interpret the data. The file size is in the range of 220 bytes to 86 KB. A usual file name is background.gaf. These files are attributed to anim.

The remaining 45% of all GAF files are files with no common format, frequently e.g. UTF-8, FAG, UniProtKB, TRANSID and GAF. Tagged as annotations, quickgo, bacillus, geobacillus, flights, engine, white or ball. Drag & drop your file here to see the file format and a preview of your GAF file!