Why convert MDB to DBF?
DBF (dBASE format) is still expected by older GIS applications such as ArcView and MapInfo and by legacy accounting and ERP systems that predate CSV or XLSX imports. Exporting MDB tables to DBF is the standard bridge when feeding data into these older pipelines.
How to convert MDB to DBF
Microsoft Access APP
Select the table in the Navigation Pane, go to External Data > Export > dBASE File, choose the dBASE version (III, IV, or 5), and click OK.
Full Convert Enterprise APP
Set Microsoft Access as the source and dBASE as the target, select the tables to migrate, and run the conversion.
Ability Database APP
Open the .mdb file and export tables to .dbf format.
MDB Viewer Plus FREE
Open the .mdb in MDB Viewer Plus, select a table in the left panel, click Export, and choose DBF as the format.
Programs that convert MDB
About these formats
.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 →
.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 →Quality & what to watch
- DBF is a flat single-table format - an MDB with multiple tables produces one
.dbffile per table. - DBF character fields are capped at 254 characters; MDB Memo and long text fields are truncated silently in some versions.
- Only raw table data moves to DBF - Access queries, forms, reports, macros, and VBA code are not exported.
