.dbf File — dBASE Database File

DBF (dBASE) is one of the oldest database file formats still in active use, originating from the dBASE database management system first released in 1980. DBF files store tabular data with a fixed record structure — a header defines field names, types (Character, Number, Date, Logical, Memo, Float), and sizes, followed by sequential fixed-length records. The format's simplicity and well-documented specification have ensured its longevity across decades. DBF is a critical component of the Shapefile format used in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) — every shapefile includes a .dbf file containing attribute data for geographic features. The format is also used by FoxPro, Clipper, and various dBASE-compatible applications. DBF files support up to 128 fields per record and billions of records, though the lack of indexing (stored separately in .ndx/.mdx files), Unicode support, and modern data types limits its usefulness for new applications. LibreOffice and Microsoft Excel can open DBF files as spreadsheets. The format remains relevant in GIS workflows, government data exchange, and legacy business systems. Programming languages universally provide DBF reading libraries.