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Convert DBF to HTML - View Database Records Anywhere

Transform dBASE database files into HTML tables anyone can view.

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 You Cannot Open?

You have DBF files from an old system, but no software to read them. Maybe they came from a legacy accounting program, an archived inventory database, or government records from the 1990s. Without the original dBASE or FoxPro software, these files are essentially locked away.

Converting DBF files to HTML solves this instantly. HTML tables display in any web browser on any device. No specialized database software required, no compatibility issues, no installation needed.

How to Convert DBF to HTML

  1. Upload your DBF file - Drag and drop or click to select your database file
  2. Choose HTML output - Select HTML as your target format
  3. Download your table - Get a clean HTML file ready for viewing or embedding

The entire process takes seconds. Your database records become a formatted HTML table that opens in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, or any other browser.

What is a DBF File?

DBF (Database File) is a format created for dBASE in 1983. For decades, it was the standard for desktop database applications. Software like dBASE, FoxPro, Clipper, and even early versions of Microsoft Access used DBF files.

The format stores data in a tabular structure with defined fields and records. Each DBF file is essentially a single table with rows and columns. In our testing, most DBF files we encounter come from these sources:

  • Government archives - Census data, property records, municipal databases
  • Legacy business systems - Old accounting, inventory, and CRM software
  • GIS applications - Shapefiles include DBF files for attribute data
  • Scientific datasets - Research data collected in the 1990s and 2000s

Why Convert to HTML?

HTML is the language of the web. Converting your DBF data to HTML format gives you several advantages:

Universal Accessibility

Anyone with a web browser can view HTML files. No database software, no plugins, no special viewers. Send the file via email and recipients open it immediately.

Easy Sharing

Upload the HTML file to any web server and share a link. Embed the table in existing web pages. Include it in documentation or reports.

Searchable Content

HTML tables are text-based. Recipients can use Ctrl+F to search for specific records. Screen readers can access the data for visually impaired users.

Printing and Archiving

HTML renders consistently across devices. Print the data directly from a browser or save as PDF for permanent archiving.

Common Use Cases

Migrating Legacy Data

Moving off an old system and need to preserve records? Convert DBF files to HTML for human-readable archives that will remain accessible for decades.

Sharing Database Exports

Need to send database records to colleagues who lack database software? HTML files open instantly without any software installation.

Publishing Data Online

Making information publicly available? HTML tables can be styled with CSS and embedded directly into websites.

GIS Attribute Tables

Working with shapefiles and need to view the DBF attribute data? Convert to HTML for quick inspection without loading the full GIS software.

Alternative Output Formats

HTML is ideal for viewing and sharing, but consider these alternatives for specific needs:

  • DBF to CSV - Best for importing into spreadsheet software or other databases
  • DBF to XLSX - Ideal when recipients need to work with the data in Excel
  • DBF to XML - Preferred for data exchange between systems or APIs

Choose HTML when the goal is viewing and presentation. Choose CSV or XLSX when recipients need to edit or analyze the data.

Works on All Devices

Our converter runs entirely in your browser:

  • Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
  • iPhone, iPad, Android tablets and phones

No software to download. No accounts to create. Your DBF file converts to HTML right where you are.

Pro Tip

If you need to embed the converted table into an existing webpage, open the HTML file in a text editor and copy just the <table> section. This lets you drop the data into any website while applying your own CSS styling.

Common Mistake

Forgetting to include the associated memo file (.dbt or .fpt) when converting DBF files that contain memo fields. Without the memo file, those fields may appear empty or truncated in the output.

Best For

Sharing legacy database records with people who lack database software. HTML files open instantly in any browser, making them ideal for distributing archived data, reports, or reference tables.

Not Recommended

If recipients need to edit, filter, or analyze the data, HTML is view-only. Use DBF to CSV or DBF to XLSX instead, which allow full spreadsheet manipulation and database import.

Frequently Asked Questions

DBF (Database File) is a legacy database format created in 1983 for dBASE. It stores data in tables with defined fields and records. Software like dBASE, FoxPro, Clipper, and early Access versions used this format. Many government and business archives still contain DBF files.

Yes. The conversion creates a properly formatted HTML table with your field names as column headers and each database record as a row. Text, numbers, and dates display correctly. The structure of your data is preserved exactly.

Yes. Our converter handles various character encodings found in DBF files, including those created in different languages and locales. Special characters, accented letters, and international text convert correctly to HTML.

Browser-based conversion handles files up to several megabytes efficiently. For very large database files with hundreds of thousands of records, consider converting to CSV first, then working with the data in sections.

Absolutely. The output is standard HTML that you can edit. Add CSS stylesheets to change colors, fonts, borders, and layout. The table uses clean markup that works with any CSS framework.

Standard memo fields associated with DBF files convert to HTML text. Very long memo content displays in the appropriate table cell. For DBF files with separate memo files (.dbt, .fpt), ensure both files are available.

Yes. Conversion happens entirely in your browser. Your DBF file is not uploaded to any server. The data never leaves your device, ensuring complete privacy for sensitive database records.

Yes. Upload multiple DBF files and convert them all to HTML in one batch. Each file produces a separate HTML table, ready for viewing or combining as needed.

The output uses standard HTML table markup that displays consistently across all modern browsers. If you encounter issues, it is usually due to very long text fields. Adjusting column widths with CSS typically resolves display problems.

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