Many computer users are confronted with the DBF format. Therefore, they would like to know how to open DBF files. Unfortunately, no operating system provides a standard program for this procedure. Even Microsoft Office, which opens most of the possible formats, does not provide for opening and working with DBF files.
What does the .dbf file contain?
DBF is an extension for virtual objects that contain databases. That is, DBF files are nothing more than a typical database. However, they have some difference from the usual ones that have the DB format. Because of this difference, DBF files cannot be opened with typical database programs. Therefore, many would still like to know how to open DBF files.
Using standard options to open a file with the database
Despite the fact that an object of this format does not automatically find a program on the computer to open it, it is possible to easily open a DBF file using Access and even Excel.
Besides the question of how to open DBF files, some users are also interested in the technique of this procedure. In this case, instructions for using these utilities will help:
- Install the Microsoft Office software package on your computer; during the installation, do not make any changes manually (if you already have this software package, then, of course, skip this point).
- Make sure that the file on your computer in DBF format does not start automatically when choosing a program. To do this, just try to open it yourself.
- Now open any program of your choice - Access or Excel (through the start menu among all programs, find Microsoft Office, click on it and select either Access or Excel in the context menu).
- After you have launched one of the above programs, go to the “File” tab, then select “Open a new file” there.
- You will see the corresponding system of the computer you are using, find the DBF file in it that you need to open.
- Now in the system window, select the desired object in the lower right corner in the "All files" tab.
- Next, open the DBF file by double-clicking on it with the left mouse button. Done. Thus, you can manually open DBF-files using standard Windows operating system programs “Access” and “Excel”.
DBF Commander program. Download and use instructions
How to open dbf files? DBF Commander utility. This is a special program for viewing and editing database format files. This utility is distributed free of charge.
Instructions for downloading and using the software product:
- Open a browser and enter in the search bar the name of the application, namely DBF Commander.
- Among the search results, find the official website of this program. Go to it and find there an installer that suits your computer system characteristics.
- Download this installer from the official website of this program.
- Then run the downloaded installer and follow the instructions without changing anything throughout the installation.
- To complete the installation, click Finish or Finish (depending on the selected installation option).
- Now you can run the DBF file using the downloaded program. In this case, the system will prompt you to make this utility the default program. To run DBF files, confirm the proposed action. All is ready. Now all DBF files will open automatically using the DBF Commander program. This program for DBF files is the most popular. The utility is most often downloaded and used to edit and open database files whose extension is different from DB.
Little conclusion
Thus, the discovery of the necessary object in the described extension is not difficult. It is only important to know some of the nuances and possess information that allows you to use the necessary tools for this - namely, standard options or additional applications.