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Convert DBF to CSV - Open Legacy Databases Anywhere

Transform dBase database files into universal CSV spreadsheets. Open old data in Excel, Google Sheets, or any modern application.

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format
Step 3: Convert files

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Legacy Database Files Not Opening?

You have DBF files from an old database system, but modern applications cannot open them. These files contain valuable data locked in a format from the 1980s that most current software does not recognize.

Converting DBF to CSV extracts your data into a universal format. CSV files open in Excel, Google Sheets, LibreOffice, and virtually every data application available today. In our testing, even DBF files from FoxPro and dBASE III Plus converted without data loss.

How to Convert DBF to CSV

  1. Upload your DBF file - Drag and drop or click to select your database file
  2. Confirm CSV output - CSV is selected as the default universal format
  3. Download your spreadsheet - Your data is now ready for any modern application

The conversion preserves all records, field names, and data values. No database software required.

What is a DBF File?

DBF (Database File) is a format created by dBASE in 1983. It was the dominant database format throughout the 1980s and 1990s, used by applications like FoxPro, Clipper, and Visual dBASE. Many businesses still have critical data stored in DBF files:

  • Legacy business systems - Accounting, inventory, and customer records
  • GIS applications - Shapefiles include DBF components for attribute data
  • Government archives - Historical records and public data
  • Scientific databases - Research data from older instruments

While DBF served its purpose for decades, CSV has become the universal data exchange format that works everywhere.

Why Convert to CSV?

CSV (Comma-Separated Values) is the simplest and most compatible data format available:

  • Universal compatibility - Opens in Excel, Google Sheets, Numbers, and any spreadsheet application
  • Database import - Import into MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, or any modern database
  • Programming friendly - Python, R, and JavaScript read CSV files natively
  • Cloud services - Upload directly to data analysis platforms
  • Human readable - View and edit with any text editor

Unlike DBF, which requires specialized software, CSV files are accessible to everyone.

Common DBF to CSV Scenarios

Recovering Old Business Data

Your company has customer records or financial data from a legacy system. The original software no longer runs on modern computers. Converting to CSV lets you access and analyze this historical data in current tools.

GIS Attribute Tables

Shapefiles store geographic data with DBF attribute tables. Converting the DBF to CSV allows you to work with the data in spreadsheets or convert to XLSX for advanced analysis without GIS software.

Data Migration Projects

Moving from a legacy database to a modern system requires exporting data in a format the new system can import. CSV serves as the universal bridge between old and new platforms.

What Gets Converted

Our converter extracts all data from your DBF file:

  • Field names - Become CSV column headers
  • All records - Every row of data transfers completely
  • Data types - Text, numbers, and dates convert accurately
  • Special characters - Unicode and extended ASCII preserved

In our testing, DBF files with thousands of records converted in seconds while maintaining data integrity.

Works in Your Browser

No software to install or database drivers to configure. Convert DBF to CSV directly in your web browser:

  • Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
  • Desktop and mobile devices

Your data processes locally without uploading to external servers.

Pro Tip

Before converting large DBF files, check if memo fields exist by looking for accompanying .DBT or .FPT files. Include these files in the same directory during conversion to capture all long-text content.

Common Mistake

Assuming corrupted DBF files are unrecoverable. Many DBF files that won't open in original software can still be converted because CSV extraction reads the raw data structure, bypassing application-level corruption.

Best For

Recovering data from legacy dBASE, FoxPro, or Clipper systems where the original software is unavailable. Also ideal for extracting attribute data from GIS shapefiles for spreadsheet analysis.

Not Recommended

Don't convert to CSV if you need to preserve DBF-specific features like indexes or relationships. For direct database-to-database migration, consider converting to SQL or importing directly into your target system.

Frequently Asked Questions

DBF (Database File) is a database format created by dBASE in 1983. It stores structured data in tables with fields and records. DBF was the standard database format for decades and is still found in legacy systems, GIS shapefiles, and archived business data.

Yes. The conversion extracts all records, field names, and data values from your DBF file. Text, numbers, dates, and special characters all transfer to the CSV output. No data is lost in the conversion process.

Yes. CSV is natively supported by Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, LibreOffice Calc, Apple Numbers, and virtually every spreadsheet application. Just double-click the CSV file to open it directly.

Our converter handles DBF files from dBASE III, dBASE IV, FoxPro, Visual FoxPro, and Clipper. Most DBF variations use the same underlying structure and convert successfully.

Browser-based conversion handles files up to several hundred megabytes efficiently. For extremely large database files with millions of records, consider processing in smaller batches.

Yes. Upload multiple DBF files and convert them all to CSV in a single batch. Each file produces a separate CSV output that you can download individually or together.

Standard DBF data fields convert directly. Memo fields (stored in separate DBT or FPT files) may require the associated memo file to be present for complete extraction of long text content.

Yes. Conversion happens entirely in your browser. Your DBF files are not uploaded to any server. The data stays on your device throughout the process.

Yes. If you need to work with legacy systems, you can convert CSV files to DBF format. Use our converter and select DBF as the output format.

CSV is simpler and more universal. It works with any application that handles data, including databases, programming languages, and command-line tools. XLSX offers formatting but requires Excel-compatible software. For raw data transfer, CSV is the safer choice.

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