How to open a dbf file. Using online resources. Works on all platforms
DBF is a standard data storage format. It allows you to transfer and save the necessary information to spreadsheets and DBMS. Required components this file are the header and the data area. Any user sooner or later has to deal with this format. As a result, the question arises about how to open DBF. What software will help solve this problem?
How to open DBF in Windows
There is no need to panic if you cannot immediately find a program to open a database file. The solution to the problem is usually nearby. If MS Office is installed on your computer, you can use Excel or Access. First you need to launch the application, then select the “Open” menu item or press the key combination CTRL + O. In the "File Type" field, select "All". Next, you can select the desired document and open it. If this solution is not suitable for some reason, and the user still does not know how to open DBF, alternative options can be considered.
Programs that allow you to work with DBF
- DBFShow (free application, allows you to open and edit files);
- DBF Viewer Plus (free to use, lots of features);
- MS SQL Server(expensive DBMS);
- DBF Commander (distributed freely, viewing and editing);
- MS Access ( paid program from the MS Office package);
- CDBF (paid program, advanced features);
- MS Excel (part of the Microsoft office suite).
The above list of applications for opening database files is far from complete. However, the user will certainly find the desired program in it. He can open a DBF file with it in a few seconds. Free apps can be easily found and downloaded online. Using paid software requires that the user first pays for using the software.
If problems arise
What can you do if the database flatly refuses to open in Excel and Access is not installed? How to open DBF in this case? Don't rush to look for other software. If MS Office is installed on your computer in a minimal configuration, then Excel may not have a special add-in for working with our format. Therefore, you need to first find on the network and download the required library to your computer.
The library files are archived, and there are also detailed installation instructions. A user who is still puzzled by the question of how to open DBF needs to perform a few simple steps by copying the files to the folders specified in the instructions. After this, you should go to the “Add-Ins” section in Excel and check the box next to the “Add-in for working with DBP” item.
Today, probably, no one needs to be told that quite often many users encounter files with the .dbf extension. What's saddest is that in Windows OS, even if you have the Microsoft package Office this type files are not associated with any program. We have it, we will now try to figure it out. At the same time, let's see how you can establish an extension association for later automatic recognition data and open the desired file.
DBF format: description
Actually, from the very abbreviation applied to the extension of a file of this type, one can already conclude that this is a database. It is somewhat specific, since such files usually have the extension
In this case, we have another one, which, however, despite its specificity, is recognized by many programs that support working with information of this type. This can be the same Excel or Access, which are part of the main Microsoft Office package, or any other office applications from third-party developers.
How to open DBF in the standard version
In fact, if you suddenly come across a file of this type (the icon is not used on it even in Explorer), do not panic. It can be opened quite simply using Excel, since it is in it that all logical structure and taking into account the same possibilities of application standard system search.
Since no program is associated with the file itself in the standard version, there are two ways to proceed. It is recommended, for example, to simply launch Excel or Access, and then use the standard file opening menu or the Ctrl + O key combination. However, in the menu that appears in the file type field, you should specify “All files” (and not the “native” format), after why select the file you are looking for. Rest assured: any spreadsheet program will recognize this data type without any problems.
As is already clear, the problem of how to open a DBF file in our case comes down only to using a standard office application in manual mode. As is already clear, this method is not always convenient and requires a certain amount of time.
Related programs
Now let's look at the DBF file itself. How can I open it without using standard office suite programs? Yes, by the same utilities included in similar software products.
For example, it could be the same Open Office, Lotus, etc. In principle, there is not much difference here, since the only thing that matters is that the program used is capable of working with tabular electronic data. Reading the DBF format is done exactly the same in all cases. By the way, this does not depend on the developer of the office suite, since everyone has support for this type of data, including even platforms like Oracle.
Changing default opening options
Now let's see how to open DBF files so that it can be used automatic mode. In the simplest case, this is done from the submenu called up by right-clicking on the file in the usual “Explorer”, where the “Open with...” command is selected.
For a single case, one of the applications listed is used. In order not to rack your brain again about how to open DBF files, you can simply specify the selected application, and then check the box next to the line “Use for all files of this type” at the bottom. The same Excel in the future (if it is selected as the default program) will open a file of this type with a regular double click.
It goes without saying that instead of Excel, you can choose Access or other programs that can recognize and open this type of data. That's not the point. The main thing is to configure automatic opening of the database. Well, what to work with in terms of software, this is a matter for each individual user of the computer system.
What's the result?
To summarize, it is worth saying that the best option when opening files of this type is, naturally, the office suite from Microsoft Corporation, since it is the most widespread all over the world. True, there is nothing wrong with the fact that a user who does not use Microsoft products will open data of this type in any other application.
As is already clear from the above, table editors are present in almost all packages known today. They may differ from each other only in their names, and certainly not in their functional set, which, as a rule, is the same everywhere, with rare exceptions.
Among other things, accordingly, you can use many development tools using a fairly large number of programming languages. On the same platform that supports the creation and optimization of SQL servers, such files are opened, as they say, instantly. When opened, they will have a rather specific appearance, which is somewhat unusual for the average user. However, most users are unlikely to use such professional development tools and will limit themselves only to a standard software set.
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 interfaces 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 find a file with the DBF extension somewhere and don’t know how to open it, and operating system can't find installed programs capable of working with such files, then we hit 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:
- DBFShow. This 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.
- DBFViewer 2000 is an excellent, well-developed application, one of the main advantages is ample opportunities both export and import of data. However, it is positioned as shareware.
- 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 you install the right application If this is not possible, then use Excel or its equivalent - 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.
Options for 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 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 find it exactly 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 do this with the left mouse button double click for 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 choosing the desired program from the proposed list. We activate the program by clicking on “ok” using the proposed list of programs. It is possible that the dbf file may have already been opened by another program. And we need to run the file in excel, then we use right button Mouse 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 can't see excel programs then click properties, find the “general” shortcut and in the application settings click on “edit”, accordingly select excel.
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 program Office and search 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 there excel file. 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, simply click on it with the mouse and 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.