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Convert DBF to MDB

Verified by Adam B.· reviewed by FE Editorial ·updated Jun 23, 2026
QUICK ANSWER
Is it possible to convert DBF to MDB?
Yes - DBF converts to MDB.

Open Microsoft Access, create a new blank database, and use External Data > New Data Source > From File > dBASE File to import the .dbf - the data lands in a new table and the file is already in Access format. The main caveats are memo fields and non-Latin character encoding from older DBF files.

3 programs
Also to MDB: BTR · NPF · SDF

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Tested on macOS, Windows & Linux
Last verified Oct 2026

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Why convert DBF to MDB?

DBF is a flat single-table format from the 1980s xBase family, still common in GIS shapefiles and legacy business exports. MDB is the Microsoft Access database format, which supports multiple related tables, queries, forms, and reports. Converting typically means moving legacy data into Access to build queries or relationships that the flat .dbf format cannot support.

How to convert DBF to MDB

Microsoft Access EASIEST

Create a new blank database in Access, go to External Data > New Data Source > From File > dBASE File, browse to the .dbf, and import it into a new table - the result is already in Access format with no extra save step.

LibreOffice Calc FREE

Open the .dbf in LibreOffice Calc (choosing the correct character encoding), save as CSV, then import the CSV into Microsoft Access via External Data > Text File - use this path if your version of Access lacks a direct dBASE import option.

Programs that convert DBF

Microsoft Access
Microsoft Excel
Ability Database

About these formats

.DBF Database File (dBASE / xBase table)

A DBF file is a single-table database in the dBASE/xBase format, in use since 1983 and still common in GIS shapefiles, accounting exports, and legacy business software. Open it free with…

Open .DBF details →
.MDB Microsoft Access Database (97-2003, Jet engine)

An MDB file is a Microsoft Access database in the old format Access used from 1992 through 2003, replaced by .accdb in Access 2007. It stores tables, queries, forms, reports, and VBA code…

Open .MDB details →

Quality & what to watch

  • Memo fields stored in a companion .dbt or .fpt file may be dropped or truncated if the memo file is missing at import time - keep the companion file alongside the .dbf.
  • DBF files from older software often use DOS/OEM code pages; accented or non-Latin characters may import incorrectly - using LibreOffice Calc as an intermediate lets you control the encoding explicitly.
  • A single .dbf holds exactly one table; if your data spans multiple DBF files, import each separately and create relationships in Access.

Frequently asked questions

Can I convert DBF to MDB without Microsoft Access?
Microsoft Access is the only standard tool that produces a native .mdb file; LibreOffice Calc can read DBF and export to CSV, which Access can then import.
Does the import work for .accdb as well as .mdb?
Yes - when creating a new blank database in Access, choose .mdb for Access 97-2003 compatibility or .accdb for the current format; the dBASE import works the same either way.
Will my DBF field types be preserved?
Access maps dBASE field types to its own types automatically; review the import wizard to correct any type mismatches before finalizing.