What is the ODB file format?
.odb files are associated with LibreOffice Base and Apache OpenOffice Base, database management applications that are part of their respective office suites.
.odb is a file archive that stores database schemas and data. The archive is composed of several files containing various database information, such as:
- database settings and connection properties,
- table and query definitions,
- database contents (managed by an embedded HSQLDB or Firebird engine),
- database backup copies,
- form and report layouts.
An .odb file can work in two distinct modes: it can embed its data directly inside the archive using HSQLDB 1.8 (the legacy default) or Firebird (available since LibreOffice 4.2), or it can act as a front-end connector to an external data source - such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, or a Microsoft Access file - storing only the connection settings and interface definitions while the data lives elsewhere.
LibreOffice Base is a database management solution that offers a wide range of tools for creating simple or more complex databases, ranging from a private contact list to complex corporate databases. Apache OpenOffice Base provides similar functionality. Both applications use .odb as their native database format, which is standardized by OASIS as part of the OpenDocument Format family. The official MIME type is application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.database.
.odb uses ZIP compression. To inspect the raw contents of an .odb file, rename the .odb suffix to .zip and then extract the archive using any standard archiving tool. Inside, content.xml holds form, query and report definitions, while the database/ subfolder contains the embedded engine files.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWOpenDocument Database files are ordinary data documents and are low risk. Like other ODF files they can contain Basic macros and event-bound code attached to forms, which LibreOffice blocks or prompts about by default - do not enable macros in an .odb from an untrusted source. Embedded-HSQLDB files require Java to open, so only run them if you trust the source. The data itself is inert. Be aware the same extension is used by Abaqus/ArcView; an .odb that "won't open in Base" may simply be one of those unrelated formats rather than a corrupt database.
Format details
in a nutshell- ArcView / ArcGIS Object Database - Esri ArcView's object-database file - the legacy meaning recorded in this site's database name; a different, unrelated format.
- Abaqus Output Database (.odb) - Finite-element analysis results written by Abaqus/Simulia CAE software; binary, opened only in Abaqus/Viewer.
- Pro/ENGINEER / PCB object database - Some CAD/PCB tools (e.g. OpenDatabase++/Allegro contexts) also use .odb for object databases.
Programs that open ODB files
Windows2 apps
LibreOffice Base
Open-source Install LibreOffice and double-click the .odb - it is Base's native format. Embedded-HSQLDB files also need a Java Runtime (JRE) configured in Tools > Options > Advanced.
Apache OpenOffice Base
Open-source Opens .odb natively (it created the format), but the project is barely maintained - prefer LibreOffice for new work. Also needs Java for embedded databases. 
macOS2 apps
NeoOffice
Paid Old Mac-native OpenOffice fork that opens .odb, but it is effectively dormant - LibreOffice is the better Mac choice.
LibreOffice Base
Open-source Free download for Apple silicon and Intel; double-click to open. Install a JDK/JRE (e.g. Temurin) for embedded-HSQLDB files. 
Linux1 app
LibreOffice Base
Open-source Preinstalled or one package away on most distros (libreoffice-base); double-click. Install default-jre for embedded databases. Technical details
deep spec| Container format | ZIP archive |
| MIME type | application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.database |
| Legacy MIME type | application/vnd.sun.xml.base |
| Magic bytes | 50 4B 03 04 ("PK") at offset 0 - standard ZIP local file header |
| Format self-identification | First ZIP entry is an uncompressed "mimetype" file; the MIME string is readable in plain bytes near offset 38 |
| Compression | DEFLATE per entry; the mimetype entry is stored uncompressed (STORED) |
| Byte order | Little-endian (ZIP format) |
| Integrity check | CRC-32 per ZIP entry; no whole-file hash or signature |
| Encryption | None by default; optional ODF password protection via ZIP-level encryption |
| Embedded database engines | HSQLDB 1.8 (legacy default) or Firebird (LibreOffice 4.2+) |
| Primary XML component | content.xml - holds form, query, table and report definitions |
| Internal data subfolder | database/ - contains engine-specific data and log files when data is embedded |
| Operation modes | Embedded (data inside the ZIP) or front-end connector to external MySQL, PostgreSQL, CSV or Access database |
| Typical file size | 5 KB - several MB, growing with embedded table data |
| Platform support | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Released | 2005 (OpenOffice.org 2.0 / ODF era) |
| Latest version | ODF 1.3 era (OASIS, 2021); the .odb database is a tool format, not part of the ISO 26300 office spec |
| Open standard | Yes · royalty-free |
| Specification | www.oasis-open.org |
ODB conversions
Community Q&A
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