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What's the DBF File?

Reporter:   |   Edited: December 03, 2018

Microsoft Silver

DBF File Summary

The DBF File Extension has nineteen different file types (mostly seen as the Database File format) and can be opened with thirty distinctive software programs, with the dominant related application developed by Microsoft Corporation (Microsoft Excel software). Generally, these files are considered Database Files, but they can also be Data Files or GIS Files.

DBF files are found on both mobile and desktop platforms and can be opened using Windows, Mac, and iOS operating systems. The DBF File Extension carries a Popularity Rating of "Low", meaning that these files are scarcely found in most user's file stores.

If you are having problems opening DBF files, or would simply like to learn more about the software programs and developers that are associated with them, please see the complete information contained below.

Low
Demand
880
Rank

/ 11690

Active

Status

3

December

2018

Edited

FileViewPro Opens DBF Files

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Known DBF Files

  19 known file types use this extension

Dominant DBF File Type

.DBF
Formatting:.dbf
Type:Database File

Database files were first implemented and used by dBase, a database management system developed by Cecil Wayne Ratliff. Starting in mid-80's, other companies produced their own version of the program along with their own spin into the file format. Currently, DBF files are compatible with other xBase database programs because of its popularity.

Created by: dBase, LLC
File Category:Database Files
Location: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.dbf

Software Programs That Open The Database File:


Microsoft Excel by Microsoft Corporation

Windows
Mac
iOS
Android

Apache OpenOffice by Apache Software Foundation

Windows
Mac
Android
Linux

Microsoft Visual FoxPro by Microsoft Corporation

Windows

Act! by Swiftpage, Inc.

Windows

Microsoft Access by Microsoft Corporation

Windows

Corel Paradox by Corel

Windows

dBase by dBase, LLC

Windows

NeoOffice by Planamesa Software Inc.

Mac

DBF Manager by AsterSoft

Windows

Corel Quattro Pro by Corel

Windows

DBF Viewer 2000 by HiBase Group

Windows

GTK DBF Editor by Open Source

Windows
Mac
Linux

Other DBF Descriptions

.DBF
Formatting:.dbf
Type:FoxPro Database Table

The DBS file extension is related to the Visual FoxPro program. It is a database table that contains header and data records.

Created by: Microsoft Corporation
File Category:Data Files

Software Programs That Open FoxPro Database Table Files:


Microsoft Visual FoxPro by Microsoft Corporation

Compatible with:

Windows
.DBF
Formatting:.dbf
Type:ArcView Shapefile Attribute Table File

The DBF file extension is also used by the software ArcView. This type of DBF files use columnar attributes for each shape and saved in dBase III format.

Created by: ESRI
File Category:GIS Files

Software Programs That Open ArcView Shapefile Attribute Table File Files:


ArcView by ESRI

Compatible with:

Windows
.DBF
Formatting:.dbf
Type:Clipper Database File

The DBF file extension was also used by Clipper, a now-obsolete programming language used to create software for DOS.

Created by: CA Technologies
File Category:Database Files

Software Programs That Open Clipper Database File Files:


Clipper by CA Technologies

Compatible with:

DOS
.DBF
Formatting:.dbf
Type:Arago Database File

The DBF file extension is associated with Arago, a dBASE IV-compatible DBMS and compiler, first created by WordTech Systems. It was then acquired by Borland in 1992.

Created by: Interscape
File Category:Database Files

Software Programs That Open Arago Database File Files:


dBase by dBase, LLC

Compatible with:

Windows

Arago by Interscape

Compatible with:

Windows
.DBF
Formatting:.dbf
Type:AbacusLaw Data File

This file extension is related to AbacusLaw, a management system for Windows. It contains data files pertaining to internal purposes of the AbacusLaw.

Created by: Abacus Data Systems
File Category:Data Files

Software Programs That Open AbacusLaw Data File Files:


AbacusLaw by Abacus Data Systems

Compatible with:

Windows
.DBF
Formatting:.dbf
Type:Wordtech Database File

The DBF file extension is associated with WordTech, a database management system compatible with dBase. It contains database file created by Wordtech.

Created by: dBase, LLC
File Category:Database Files

Software Programs That Open Wordtech Database File Files:


dBase by dBase, LLC

Compatible with:

Windows
.DBF
Formatting:.dbf
Type:xBase Database File

xBase is a general term for programming languages derived from the original dBase language and database formats. Sometimes, they are referred to as dBASE "clones".

Created by: dBase, LLC
File Category:Database Files

Software Programs That Open xBase Database File Files:


dBase by dBase, LLC

Compatible with:

Windows
.DBF
Formatting:.dbf
Type:ACT! Main Database File

The DBF file extension is used by ACT! to store main database files for the software.

Created by: Swiftpage, Inc.
File Category:Database Files

Software Programs That Open ACT! Main Database File Files:


Act! by Swiftpage, Inc.

Compatible with:

Windows
.DBF
Formatting:.dbf
Type:dBFast Database File

The DBF file extension is associated with dBFast, an application development system by CA Technologies that is now obsolete. It stores database files of the software.

Created by: CA Technologies
File Category:Database Files

Software Programs That Open dBFast Database File Files:


dBFast by CA Technologies

Compatible with:

Windows
DOS

LibreOffice Base by The Document Foundation

Compatible with:

Windows
Mac
Android
Linux
FreeBSD
NetBSD
.DBF
Formatting:.dbf
Type:Oracle Database 8 Tablespace File

Oracle Database, an object-relational database management system (ORDBMS), uses the DBF file extension for files that store tablespace data. Tablespace files are data storages where actual data for underlying database objects are kept.

Created by: Oracle Corporation
File Category:Database Files

Software Programs That Open Oracle Database 8 Tablespace File Files:


Oracle Database by Oracle Corporation

Compatible with:

Windows
Linux
Oracle Linux
VMware ESXi
Red Hat Enterprise Linux
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server
Solaris
Unix
Oracle VM
.DBF
Formatting:.dbf
Type:Alpha Five Table Data File

The DBF file extension is associated with Alpha Five, a rapid application development platform. The DBF files related to Alpha Five contains the table's data, records, each containing one or more fields, and the definition of the table's structure.

Created by: Alpha Software
File Category:Data Files

Software Programs That Open Alpha Five Table Data File Files:


Alpha Five by Alpha Software

Compatible with:

Windows
.DBF
Formatting:.dbf
Type:iAnywhere Database File

The iAnywhere mobile database products use the DBF file extension to store files that contain their main database.

Created by: Sybase, Inc
File Category:Database Files

Software Programs That Open iAnywhere Database File Files:


Advantage Database Server by SAP

Compatible with:

Windows
Mac
Linux

SQL Anywhere by SAP

Compatible with:

Windows
Mac
Linux
Solaris
Unix
OS X El Capitan
.DBF
Formatting:.dbf
Type:JetForm FormFlow Data File

The DBF file extension is related to FormFlow, a line of electronic form products in the 90's. It contains some form of data.

Created by: Adobe Systems Incorporated
File Category:Data Files

Software Programs That Open JetForm FormFlow Data File Files:


JetForm FormFlow by Adobe Systems Incorporated

Compatible with:

Windows
.DBF
Formatting:.dbf
Type:NovaBACKUP Backup Database File

The DBF file extension is associated with the software NovaBACKUP. It contains backup database.

Created by: NovaStor
File Category:Database Files

Software Programs That Open NovaBACKUP Backup Database File Files:


NovaBACKUP by NovaStor

Compatible with:

Windows
.DBF
Formatting:.dbf
Type:The Network Diary Database File

The DBF file extension is used by The Network Diary to store main database files compatible with SQL Express.

Created by: CF Systems Ltd.
File Category:Database Files

Software Programs That Open The Network Diary Database File Files:


The Network Diary by Acute Software

Compatible with:

Windows
.DBF
Formatting:.dbf
Type:Palm Zire Photo Database File

The DBF file extension is used by Palm Zire Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) series with Palm OS operating system to store photo database files.

Created by: Palm
File Category:Database Files

Software Programs That Open Palm Zire Photo Database File Files:


Palm OS by Palm

Compatible with:

Palm OS
.DBF
Formatting:.dbf
Type:NovaLogic Game Dialog Binary Format

The DBF file extension is associated with the games developed by NovaLogic. This type of file format contains game dialog in binary format which does not need to be decrypted.

Created by: NovaLogic
File Category:Game Files

Software Programs That Open NovaLogic Game Dialog Binary Format Files:


Delta Force by NovaLogic

Compatible with:

Windows

Comanche by NovaLogic

Compatible with:

Windows

F-22 by NovaLogic

Compatible with:

Windows
.DBF
Formatting:.dbf
Type:ACDSee Thumbnail Cache File

The DBF file extension is related to the photo editing and managing software ACDSee. The DBF files created by ACDSee contains thumbnail cache.

Created by: ACD Systems
File Category:Data Files

Software Programs That Open ACDSee Thumbnail Cache File Files:


ACD Systems ACDSee by ACD Systems

Compatible with:

Windows

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DBF File Popularity


Popular OSes

Windows 7 (48%)
Windows 10 (42%)
Windows 8.1 (5%)
Windows XP (2%)

Top Devices

Desktop (84.34%)
Mobile (14.29%)
Tablet (1.37%)


Troubleshooting Problems Opening DBF Files


Frequent DBF Opening Issues

Missing Microsoft Excel

You encounter an error message such as "%%os%% Can't Open DBF Files" when trying to open your DBF. Generally, this is experienced in %%os%% because Microsoft Excel isn't installed on your PC. You won't be able to double-click to open your DBF because your OS doesn't know what to do with it.


Tip: If you have another software that you know opens DBF files, you can select it by hitting the "Show Apps" button.


Obsolete Version of Microsoft Excel

Your Database File file is incompatible with Microsoft Excel because you might have the wrong version installed. If you've got the wrong version of Microsoft Excel installed, you'll need to install the correct version. Most of the time your Database File file was created by a newer Microsoft Excel than what you have installed.


Tip: Investigate your DBF file by right-clicking and selecting "Properties" to find clues on what version you need.


Regardless, most of the DBF file opening problems relate to not having the right version of Microsoft Excel installed.


Additional DBF Opening Issues

Even with the correct version of Microsoft Excel installed, you can still experience difficulties opening DBFs. If you are continuing to have errors with loading DBF files, other external issues might be to blame. Other contributing causes:

  • File references in the Windows Registry for DBF are wrong
  • Accidental deletion of the description of the DBF file in the Windows registry
  • Invalid installation of a DBF-associated program (eg. Microsoft Excel)
  • Your DBF can't be loaded properly (file corruption)
  • Malware-tainted DBF file can't be opened
  • Hardware associated with DBF has outdated drivers
  • Insufficient system resources to successfully open Database File files

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How to Fix Problems Opening DBF Files

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