DBF File Viewer & Reader.
Open and view DBF database files instantly on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Search millions of records, read embedded MEMO attachments (.dbt / .fpt), edit cells and records in-place, inspect GIS Shapefile attributes on a live map, and export clean data to XLSX, CSV, JSON, or SQL — 100% offline with zero server uploads.
100% on-device | DBF · dBASE · FoxPro · Shapefile | MEMO fields (.dbt/.fpt) | XLSX/CSV/JSON/SQL export | No upload
DBF files (Database Format) remain the backbone of legacy business software, enterprise accounting systems, GIS shapefiles, and historical database archives created with dBASE, Visual FoxPro, Clipper, and XBase systems. Opening or editing a DBF file on a modern Mac, iPhone, or iPad without legacy software environments can be frustrating. DBF Viewer provides a native, standalone reader for Apple devices that opens large database tables in milliseconds without uploading your sensitive data to web services.
The native Rust streaming engine is optimized for high performance, handling files with millions of rows and up to 50 GB in size with minimal memory usage. It automatically pairs primary .dbf table files with associated binary MEMO memo fields (.dbt and .fpt files), allowing you to read formatted text notes, blob attachments, and extended memo text without corrupted characters.
DBF Viewer is more than just a viewer; it is a full database tool. You can search across all records instantly, edit individual cell values or entire records in-place, mark and restore deleted rows, run custom SQL queries with an embedded SQL engine, and normalize data by trimming stray control characters and whitespace across your entire database table.
For GIS professionals working with Shapefile geospatial databases, the built-in map view plots attribute geometry on an interactive map. When you need to share or migrate your data, 1-tap export streams clean output to Microsoft Excel XLSX, CSV, JSON, or SQL dump files — all processed locally on your device.
Complete DBF database compatibility.
Designed to handle legacy database formats, character encodings, and large records seamlessly on desktop and mobile platforms.
dBASE, FoxPro & Clipper Support
Open legacy database tables from dBASE III, dBASE IV, dBASE 7, Visual FoxPro, Clipper, and XBase systems.
MEMO Field Extraction (.dbt / .fpt)
Automatically detect and parse linked binary memo files to read full text blocks, notes, and blob fields.
1-Tap Export to XLSX, CSV & JSON
Convert DBF tables directly to modern spreadsheet and web formats without losing record structure or header types.
In-Place Record & Cell Editing
Edit cell values, add new records, mark rows for deletion, or restore deleted records directly within the app.
How to open and view DBF files offline.
Select your DBF file
Open any .dbf file (along with optional .dbt or .fpt memo files) from the Files app, downloads, AirDrop, or local folders.
Browse & search records
Scroll through millions of rows, filter records with instant search, inspect field types, and read full MEMO contents.
Edit, query, or map data
Modify cell values, run SQL SELECT queries on your table, clean up stray control characters, or view Shapefile records on a live map.
Export to XLSX, CSV, or SQL
Export selected records or the entire database table to XLSX, CSV, JSON, or SQL format with 1 tap.
Universal database file compatibility.
Primary database table files from dBASE III, IV, 7, Visual FoxPro, Clipper, Advantage Database, and GIS Shapefile attribute tables.
Standard binary MEMO attachment files used by dBASE III and IV to store long text entries and blob contents.
Flexible memo blob files used by Visual FoxPro and FoxBase for variable-length field storage.
Features built for database viewing & editing.
Native High-Speed Engine
Built with native Rust for instant table loading, handling multi-gigabyte files and millions of rows without memory spikes.
Automatic Character Encoding
Auto-detects code pages (ANSI, OEM, CP437, CP850, CP1252, Windows-1250, UTF-8) so international text and special characters render accurately.
Embedded MEMO Reader
Seamlessly pairs .dbf tables with .dbt and .fpt memo files to display complete memo field contents inline.
1-Tap Multi-Format Export
Convert tables to Microsoft Excel (.xlsx), CSV, JSON, or SQL statements with a single tap.
In-Place Table Editor
Edit field values, append new rows, mark records as deleted, and restore deleted records directly within the viewer.
Embedded SQL Engine
Execute custom SQL SELECT queries across single or joined DBF tables directly on your device.
GIS & Shapefile Map View
View geospatial Shapefile attribute tables and inspect shape geometries on an interactive live map.
Data Cleanup Tools
Trim stray whitespace, strip invalid control characters, and normalize logical boolean fields across all records.
All file parsing, search, editing, map rendering, and exports run locally on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. No database content is uploaded to external servers.
Open and convert your database files immediately without registering an account or requiring internet access.
Files are opened safely. Modifications are saved explicitly so your original database backups remain protected.
- Opening and inspecting legacy dBASE III, IV, and Visual FoxPro business database archives on macOS or iOS.
- Exporting DBF tables to Microsoft Excel XLSX or CSV format for modern spreadsheet analysis and reporting.
- Reading embedded .dbt and .fpt MEMO fields without encountering broken or garbled text characters.
- Editing individual records, fixing corrupt cell values, and deleting outdated rows in legacy database files.
- Executing SQL queries to filter, group, and extract specific records from multi-gigabyte DBF datasets.
- Inspecting GIS Shapefile attribute tables and viewing coordinate geometries on an interactive map.
A bundled sample DBF dataset allows you to test viewing and navigation features for free. Pro plans (weekly, annual, and one-time lifetime) unlock full file exports to XLSX/CSV, in-place editing, SQL query capabilities, and unlimited file sizes.
Frequently asked questions about DBF files.
What is a DBF file?
A DBF (Database Format) file is a structured database table format originally introduced by dBASE. It stores data in fixed-length records with typed columns and is widely used across legacy enterprise software, FoxPro, and GIS Shapefiles.
How can I open a DBF file on Mac, iPhone, or iPad?
DBF Viewer allows you to open .dbf files directly on iPhone, iPad, and Mac without needing legacy Windows environments, Microsoft Access, or command-line tools.
Does it support .dbt and .fpt MEMO files?
Yes. When you open a .dbf file alongside its .dbt or .fpt file, DBF Viewer automatically reads linked memo text and blob data.
Can I convert DBF to Excel (XLSX) or CSV?
Yes. DBF Viewer offers 1-tap export to Microsoft Excel (.xlsx), CSV, TSV, JSON, and SQL formats.
Can I edit cell values inside a DBF file?
Yes. The app includes an in-place editor that allows you to modify cell values, add new records, and mark or restore deleted rows.
Is an online DBF converter required?
No. Online DBF viewers require uploading confidential database files to third-party servers. DBF Viewer works 100% offline on your device, ensuring complete data privacy.
Which DBF dialects are supported?
DBF Viewer supports dBASE III, dBASE IV, dBASE 7, Visual FoxPro, Clipper, FoxBase, and GIS Shapefile attribute tables.
Does it handle different character encodings?
Yes. It automatically detects and decodes common code pages (ANSI, OEM, CP437, CP850, CP1252, Windows-1250, UTF-8) so international text displays correctly.
Open, view, and convert DBF files anywhere.
Open dBASE, Visual FoxPro, and Shapefile database tables on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Search records, edit cells, and export to XLSX or CSV — 100% offline.
DBF Viewer is an independent utility. dBASE, FoxPro, Visual FoxPro, Clipper, and Microsoft Excel are referenced solely to describe file compatibility and supported conversion targets.