How to Open a DAT File Online, in Windows and MAC

 

  • Extension: .DAT
  • File type: Miscellanous Data
  • Description: The data file definition and other types and linked programs information.
  • Developer: N/A (many)
  • Format: binary and text data file

 

What is a dat file? If you have a File with the .DAT Extension you need specific programs that can open, edit, read, view and convert this dat file format type. Specific software that you can download like an editor, opener viewer or a dat file reader.

.dat

 

What is a .DAT File

A .DAT file content format is text or binary data.

The dat files extension are usually created by a program and you can also view it from the proprietary software. There is not any specific dat file reader for this type. However, there are many file types that we will see below.

Mime type:

  • application/octet-stream
  • zz-application/zz-winassoc-dat

 

An example:

.dat file example

Programs to Open DAT Files

The first step is to use double click on the file or tap in the file icon. If windows finds a program associated with the extension It will launch it.

If it doesn’t recognise it it means you don’t have installed the  reader software needed for read and opening data files in your PC or mobile device. You should download a program that can manage this file format.

When opening data files you should try first the original program that created it as a reader. If you don’t know which is or you don’t have it you can try with these text reader and viewer programs downloads:

 

Microsoft Notepad

notepad

 

Microsoft Excel

microsoft excel

 

Notepad Plus plus

notepad plus

 

Microsoft Word

microsoft word

 

How to open DAT Files

.Dat files can always be opened using the notepad and Notepad plus application; however, depending on the type, data objects may not be readable.

  1. First, right-click on the .file with the dat extension you wish to open.
  2. Then, select “Open”.
  3. Then, choose “Notepad or Notepad plus” from the list of available programs.
  4. Finally, click on the “Accept” option.

 

Generic Steps for Windows 

  1. Locate the dat file in your computer or mobile device.
  2. Double click on it.
  3. Select a program in the open with dialog. You should select the proprietary software that created it.dat files in windows
  4. Confirm
  5. View it and edit it.
  6. If you don’t have the program installed you have to download it and install it.
  7. There are not generic dat viewers, readers or editors. However you can try with a generic text editor like notepad. If you don’t know which is the propetary software a text editor will be the best option to edit and view dat files

dat file in Microsoft Excel

  1. First, launch microsoft excel
  2. Then, Rename the .dat files to .xls or .xlsx
  3. Open it with Microsoft Excel

 

dat file In Microsoft Word

  1. First, launch microsoft word
  2. Then, Rename the dat file to .doc or .docx
  3. Open it with Microsoft word

 

 

To learn more about all the file extension dat types, applications and how to view them keep reading.

 

File Extension .DAT type

The file extension dat is used by following type(s) and applications:

Data file Common and mostly used .dat type

It is traditionally used by many various applications or programs for their data or resource files.

Related programs that open dat files:

  • FileAlyzer

 

Video CD MPEG movie MPEG1 dat file

Common and mostly used .dat type Video CD MPEG movie MPEG1. Extension used for some MPEG files.

Related programs that open dat files:

  • Need4 Video Converter,
  • Xilisoft DVD Creator,
  • Wondershare DVD Creator for Mac, Wondershare Video Converter for Mac, PowerDVD,
  • Nero Multimedia Suite

 

Act of War game dat file

Package contains game data (music, textures, sounds, models, maps).

Related programs readers that open dat files

  • Dragon UnPACKer,
  • Act of War

 

Antivirus data file

Used by many antivirus applications for virus descriptions and information (update files).

Related software to view and read:

  • AVG Antivirus,
  • BitDefender

 

AOL Messenger (AIM) BFTS database dat file

Used by AOL (AIM) Instant Messenger 6 for database .

Related software to view and read:

  • AOL Messenger (AIM)

 

Apple Safari dictionary dat file

Dictionary file used by Safari.

Related software:

  • Safari

 

Clarion DOS database dat file

Database file used by Clarion.

Related software to read:

  • Clarion

 

Corel WordPerfect merge data file

It is associated with Corel WordPerfect, a word processing program, developed by Corel Corporation. Corel Word Perfect is part of Corel Word Perfect Office suite.

The .dat files are used to store merge data.

Related programs:

  • Corel WordPerfect,
  • Corel WordPerfect Office

 

LabVIEW binary datalog file

Binary datalog used by LabVIEW.

Related software to read:

  • LabVIEW

 

LEGO Star Wars game archive dat file

Archive contains LEGO Star Wars files (maps, objects, sprites, sounds).

Related software:

  • Dragon UnPACKer, LEGO Star Wars

 

MapInfo native format data file

Native map data format used by MapInfo.

Related software:

  • MapInfo

 

Microsoft Internet Explorer cache dat file

It is used byMicrosoft Internet Explorer. Cache file.
Each time you open a Web page, your browser creates a cache file (a temporary copy) of the page’s text and graphics. When you open the page again, for example, when you click on the toolbar Back button, your browser checks the Web site server for changes to the page

If the page has changed, your browser retrieves a new version over the network. If the page hasn’t changed, your browser uses the cache files from your RAM or hard drive to display the page. For example, Internet Explorer caches Web pages to both memory (RAM) and disk (hard drive) until the respective cache is full.

Internet Explorer then rotates out pages based on age. Internet Explorer designed this system to help load Web pages quicker.

But, if you’ve viewed lots of Web pages, you may have an overloaded hard disk cache. Internet Explorer will have to check before it loads a new page.

Over time your browser’s cache grows. A cache full of outdated information is worse than no cache at all. It causes problems with Java applets. Also, it causes you to see out of date text or images. And makes your browser sluggish starting and exiting. The solution is to clear out the cache.

Related programs that open data file:

  • Internet Explorer

 

Microsoft Word for DOS data 

It is associated with Microsoft Word, worldwide most popular and powerful tool for writing documents.

The .dat files were used in Microsoft Word for DOS for some kind of data files.

Programs:

  • Microsoft Word

 

Mozilla Firefox plug-in register 

It is used by Firefox.

Programs:

  • Firefox

 

Nero BackItUp drive image

Suffix for Nero BackItUp drive image. Nero BackItUp automatically backs up your files quickly and easily to your choice of storage media, and creates bootable discs to restore your system if the worst happens.

It includes full support for Windows Vista® virtual folders and built-in SecurDisc data protection features.

Programs:

  • Nero BackItUp

 

Skype local store 

It is used by Skype for local store file.

Software:

  • Skype

 

Sony Digital Audio Tape

Digital Audio Tape (DAT or R-DAT) is a signal recording and playback medium developed by Sony in the mid 1980s. In appearance it is like a compact audio cassette. It uses 4 mm magnetic tape enclosed in a protective shell. But is roughly half the size at 73 mm × 54 mm × 10.5 mm.

As the name suggests, the recording is digital rather than analog. DAT has the ability to record at higher, equal or lower sampling rates than a CD. (48, 44.1 or 32 kHz sampling rate ) at 16 bits quantization.

If a digital source then the DAT will produce an exact clone. In other digital media such as Digital Compact Cassette or non-Hi-MD MiniDisc, both use lossy data compression

 

SPOT graphic 

A system for implementing an unobtrusive, always-on-top interface-to-interfaces comprises a spot interface that is small that it may lie over any open window such that it is always on top thereby enabling a user to access any available window without first having to return to a main window or close other open windows

The spot interface comprises an active region represented by a small graphical display element (GDE). It has the appearance of a sphere, which unless disabled by a user, is always visible regardless of which is the topmost window

When a mouse pointer is movedinto the spot GDE, a ring or collar having four radial quadrants representing menu items is displayed after waiting a user specified length of time.

around the GDE. When the mouse pointer>is moved into any of the four quadrants of the collar, a secondary rectangular interface associated with the quadrant is displayed after waiting a user specified length of time.<

The secondary interface may be lockedopened such that it will not close when the mouse pointer is movedout of area defined by the interface. Periodic animation of the spot GDE may be provided

Software:

  • XnView

 

SPOT image format

used by SPOT.

Software:

  • SPOT images, XnView

 

TomTom traffic data

Traffic information used by TomTom applications, GPS navigations.

Related programs:

  • TomTom Navigator

 

Trillian wiki 

It is used by Trillian.

Program:

  • Trllian

 

Unfinished FastTrack download

Unfinished download used by FastTrack clients, applications.

Related programs that open dat:

  • KaZaa

 

Windows registry hive

On-disk format for the Windows registry.

Related programs that open it:

  • Microsoft Windows 7, 10, Vista, XP

 

Yahoo! Instant Messenger settings file

used by Yahoo! Instant Messenger, contains settings.

Related programs that open dat file:

  • Yahoo! Instant Messenger

 

Related extensions

N/A

 

How to Open a Winmail.dat file in outlook

The Winmail.dat file contains mail format information in each email message. This is used by MIcrosoft Outlook to display the message.

Microsoft Outlook is the only mail program that uses winmail.dat format.

If you send your mails as plain text then you will not be sending winmail.dat

You can open winmail.dat files in iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac and Windows with the opener that you can find and download here https://www.winmaildat.com/

 

How to convert a DAT File online

There is not any universal online dat fileconverter but you can convert it to another format easily.

 

Convert dat file to XLS online

  1. First, rename the suffix to .XLS
  2. Then, try to view it with your xls reader

 

Convert dat file to PDF online

  1. First, rename the suffix to .pdf
  2. Then, try to view it with your pdf reader.

 

Convert dat file to DOC online

  1. First, rename the suffix to .doc or .docx
  2. Then, try to view with your doc viewer or Microsoft Word.

 

 

How to delete a dat file, is it safe?

You shouldn’t delete dat files or folders as they are from system. Unless you are sure the process that created it have finished. You may be deleting important data.

Is it not safe to remove it. If you are unsure don’t remove it.

 

How to create a dat file

There are not specific editors. You can use generic editors like notepad or noteplad plus plus. But the best option are the editors from the original type. Read the file extension types section above with all types.

 

Problems opening DAT Files: Can’t open

If you experience problems opening it, windows raises a message: “Microsoft Windows can’t open this file”

Ensure you follow the next tips:

  1. Ensure the extension is properly associated with the software when you double click on the file.
  2. Check that you have installed at least one of the programs need to manage these files.
  3. Update the program to get the last version.
  4. Ensure you have all the computer privileges, you are admin or you have all needed privileges.

 

Outlook data file cannot be opened

If you receive the error Outlook data file cannot be opened the solution is to add a new outlook data file and tell Outlook to use it:

  1. Open Outlook.
  2. Go to the menu File – Info – Account Settings
  3. Go to the Data Files tab.
  4. Click on Add button
  5. Choose a location for the new outlook data and name it.
  6. Click ok to save.
  7. Select the new file and click on Set as Default.

 

About .DAT extension

In filesextension.com we explain what is a file with the .dat suffix, how to edit, view, open and convert it.

The data files format can be opened with the programs above in windows, mac and linux.

Contact us through the contact page if you have additional information, comment or need help about the DAT File or software related.