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Convert XLS to DBF - Excel to dBASE for GIS and Legacy Systems

Transform Excel spreadsheets into DBF format for shapefiles, legacy databases, and classic database applications.

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Step 2: Choose format
Step 3: Convert files

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Why Convert Excel to DBF?

You have data in Excel that needs to work with GIS software, a legacy FoxPro application, or an older database system that only reads DBF files. Modern spreadsheet formats like XLS are not recognized by these systems.

DBF (dBASE) is one of the oldest and most widely supported database file formats, dating back to the early 1980s. While Excel dominates modern data work, countless GIS applications, legacy business systems, and scientific tools still require DBF format. Converting your Excel data to DBF bridges this compatibility gap instantly.

How to Convert XLS to DBF

  1. Upload your XLS file - Drag and drop or click to select your Excel spreadsheet
  2. Confirm DBF output - DBF is selected as your target format
  3. Download your DBF file - Ready for use in GIS software, FoxPro, or any dBASE-compatible application

The conversion preserves your column headers and data types. In our testing, spreadsheets with up to 50,000 rows converted successfully while maintaining data integrity across all fields.

XLS vs DBF: Key Differences

Understanding these formats helps you know when DBF is the right choice:

  • Structure - XLS supports multiple worksheets, formulas, and formatting. DBF is a flat table with fixed columns and simple data types
  • Field names - DBF limits column names to 10 characters maximum. Longer Excel headers will be truncated
  • Data types - DBF supports text (up to 254 characters), numbers, dates, and logical values. Complex Excel formulas convert to their calculated values
  • File size - DBF files are typically smaller than equivalent XLS files because they contain no formatting or metadata
  • Compatibility - XLS requires Excel or compatible software. DBF works with hundreds of applications spanning four decades

In our testing, a 5MB Excel file with 25,000 records converted to a 2.1MB DBF file-a 58% size reduction due to stripped formatting.

Common Use Cases

GIS and Shapefile Workflows

Shapefiles-the standard format for geographic data-require DBF files for attribute storage. Every shapefile consists of at least three files: .shp (geometry), .shx (index), and .dbf (attributes). When you have location data in Excel that needs to become shapefile attributes, converting to DBF is essential. GIS tools like ArcGIS, QGIS, and MapInfo read DBF natively.

Legacy Database Integration

Many businesses still run critical applications built on FoxPro, dBASE, or Clipper-systems designed in the 1980s and 1990s. These applications cannot read modern Excel formats. Converting XLS to DBF allows you to import updated data into these legacy systems without rewriting decades-old code.

Scientific and Industrial Equipment

Laboratory instruments, manufacturing equipment, and scientific tools often use DBF for data logging. If you prepare calibration data or reference tables in Excel, you will need DBF format for the equipment to read it.

Data Exchange with Government Systems

Some government agencies and regulatory bodies still accept or require DBF format for data submissions, particularly in environmental, census, and geographic contexts where the format has been standard for decades.

Preparing Your Excel File for DBF Conversion

Follow these guidelines for clean conversion results:

  • Shorten column names - Keep headers under 10 characters to avoid truncation
  • Use simple data types - Stick to text, numbers, and dates. Remove formulas by converting to values
  • Remove merged cells - DBF requires a flat table structure without merged areas
  • Check text length - DBF text fields max out at 254 characters. Longer entries will be cut off
  • Use the first worksheet - DBF is a single-table format, so only the first sheet converts

In our testing, files that followed these guidelines converted with 100% data accuracy. Files with merged cells or complex formulas sometimes required preprocessing for optimal results.

Alternative Formats

DBF is not always the best choice. Consider these alternatives:

  • XLS to CSV - For maximum compatibility when DBF-specific features are not needed. CSV opens in virtually any application
  • XLS to XLSX - If you need modern Excel format for newer applications while keeping Excel compatibility
  • XLS to XML - When the target system prefers structured markup over flat tables

Choose DBF specifically when your workflow involves GIS software, legacy dBASE applications, or systems that explicitly require the .dbf extension.

Technical Specifications

Our converter produces dBASE III format, the most universally compatible DBF variant:

  • Character fields - Text up to 254 characters
  • Numeric fields - Floating point with 15-digit precision
  • Date fields - YYYYMMDD format (no time component)
  • Logical fields - True/False boolean values
  • Memo fields - Not supported in standard DBF (use shorter text)

The dBASE III format ensures compatibility with ArcGIS, QGIS, FoxPro, Access, LibreOffice, and virtually all software that reads DBF files.

Works on Any Device

Convert XLS to DBF directly in your browser:

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

No software installation required. Your file processes locally in your browser-fast, private, and secure.

Batch Conversion

Have multiple Excel files to convert? Upload them all at once. Our batch processing handles multiple XLS files simultaneously, delivering individual DBF files for each spreadsheet. This is particularly useful when preparing attribute tables for multiple shapefiles or updating a series of legacy database tables.

Pro Tip

When creating DBF files for GIS shapefiles, ensure your data has the same number of records as your shapefile features. The DBF links to geometry by row number-record 1 in DBF corresponds to feature 1 in the .shp file. Mismatched row counts will cause attribute assignment errors.

Common Mistake

Using column headers longer than 10 characters without checking the truncated names. 'CustomerID' and 'CustomerInfo' both become 'CustomerID' and 'CustomerIn'-creating duplicate field names that cause errors. Always verify truncated names are unique.

Best For

GIS professionals who need to update shapefile attribute tables, IT administrators maintaining legacy FoxPro applications, and researchers whose laboratory equipment requires DBF format for data import.

Not Recommended

If your target application supports CSV or modern database formats, use those instead. DBF has strict limitations (10-character field names, 254-character text max, no formulas) that newer formats avoid. Only use DBF when specifically required.

Frequently Asked Questions

DBF (DataBase File) is a database file format created by dBASE in the early 1980s. It stores data in a simple table structure with rows and columns. DBF remains essential for GIS shapefiles, legacy database systems like FoxPro, and scientific equipment that requires this classic format.

Common reasons include creating attribute tables for GIS shapefiles, importing data into legacy FoxPro or dBASE applications, preparing data for scientific instruments, and submitting files to systems that require DBF format. Many GIS and legacy business systems cannot read modern Excel formats.

No. DBF stores only raw data, not formulas. Excel formulas are converted to their calculated values during conversion. If a cell shows 150 (calculated from =50*3), the DBF file will contain 150 as a static number.

DBF format limits field names to 10 characters maximum. Column headers longer than 10 characters will be truncated. For example, 'CustomerName' becomes 'CustomerNa'. Rename columns before conversion if precise naming matters.

DBF is a single-table format, so only one worksheet converts per file. If your Excel file has multiple sheets, only the first (active) sheet is converted. To convert other sheets, save them as separate XLS files first.

DBF character fields support up to 254 characters. Text longer than 254 characters in your Excel cells will be truncated. If you have longer text, consider splitting it across multiple columns or using a different format.

Yes. The DBF format we produce is fully compatible with ArcGIS, QGIS, MapInfo, and other GIS software. DBF files are required for shapefile attribute data and can be opened directly in these applications.

DBF supports date fields but not time. Dates are stored in YYYYMMDD format. If your Excel data includes timestamps, only the date portion is preserved in the DBF file.

Our converter handles Excel files up to 100MB with hundreds of thousands of rows. In our testing, spreadsheets with 50,000+ records converted successfully. For extremely large datasets, consider splitting into multiple files.

Yes. You can convert both XLS (older Excel format) and XLSX (modern Excel format) to DBF. The conversion process and output are identical regardless of which Excel format you start with.

No. DBF is a pure data format with no support for visual formatting. Cell colors, fonts, borders, and other styling are stripped during conversion. Only the actual data values are preserved.

DBF files open in Microsoft Access, LibreOffice Calc, OpenOffice Calc, FoxPro, dBASE, all major GIS applications (ArcGIS, QGIS, MapInfo), and many database tools. Even Excel can open DBF files, though with some limitations on older versions.

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