What is the DBC file format?
A .dbc file is a CIS Database Configuration file used by OrCAD Capture CIS (Component Information System), Cadence's schematic capture tool with an integrated component database browser. It is an INI-style plain-text file that links OrCAD CIS to an external parts database - typically a Microsoft Access .MDB or .ACCDB file, or a SQL Server data source - via an ODBC connection name.
The .dbc file specifies which ODBC data source to connect to, maps database table columns to CIS internal properties (Part_Number, Part_Type, Schematic_Part, and others), and controls which properties are written into the schematic when an engineer places a component. At minimum, the three mappings Part_Number, Part_Type, and Schematic_Part must be defined for the integration to function.
.dbc files are created and modified through the OrCAD Capture CIS → Options → CIS Configuration wizard, though any text editor can open them directly since the format is plain text. The format has remained consistent across OrCAD CIS releases and is also used by Allegro DE CIS, Cadence's board-level design environment.
When a .dbc configuration is active, designers can search and place components directly from the database within the schematic editor, automatically populating bill-of-materials properties. The file is typically stored alongside the project's .olb symbol library files.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWPlain text configuration file referencing ODBC data sources. No executable content. Could expose database connection details (DSN, credentials) if shared externally.
Format details
in a nutshellPrograms that open DBC files
Windows3 apps
OrCAD Capture CIS
Paid In OrCAD Capture: Options → CIS Configuration → Open existing .dbc file to load the database configuration.
Notepad / any text editor
Built-in Right-click the .dbc file → Open with → Notepad. The INI-style text is human-readable and can be edited directly.
Allegro DE CIS
Paid Allegro DE CIS uses the same .dbc format as OrCAD CIS; open via CIS Configuration menu. Technical details
deep spec| Application | OrCAD Capture CIS (Component Information System); also Allegro DE CIS |
| Developer | Cadence Design Systems, Inc. |
| Format type | INI-style plain-text configuration file |
| Text encoding | ASCII / Windows-1252 |
| Typical file size | 1 KB - 20 KB |
| Database connection method | ODBC data source name (DSN) specified in the file |
| Supported database backends | Microsoft Access (.mdb / .accdb), SQL Server, Oracle (via ODBC driver) |
| Required CIS property mappings | `Part_Number`, `Part_Type`, `Schematic_Part` (minimum required for functional integration) |
| Editing | Created via OrCAD CIS Configuration wizard; editable in any plain-text editor |
| OS compatibility | Windows only |
| Format stability | Consistent across OrCAD CIS releases from mid-1990s to current v17.4+ |
| Purpose | Links schematic editor to component database for part placement and BOM property population |
| MIME type | `application/octet-stream` |
| Released | mid-1990s (OrCAD Capture CIS) |
| Latest version | N/A (format unchanged across OrCAD versions; current OrCAD is v17.4+) |
| Specification | www.cadence.com |
DBC conversions
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