What is the USR file format?
.usr files are associated with the FileMaker database platform - specifically with the FileMaker runtime solution, a standalone application that bundles both the database engine and data file, generated using FileMaker Developer or FileMaker Pro Advanced editions.
What kind of data can .usr files store?
.usr files store database data. Such files may contain:
- images and graphics,
- text data,
- ID data and login information,
- scripts and layouts.
.usr files are used by the FileMaker runtime engine to store records, reports, and structured data inside a self-contained application package.
What is FileMaker?
FileMaker is a multi-platform database management software developed by Claris International (formerly FileMaker, Inc.), an Apple subsidiary. Since its first release in 1985, it has been actively developed and improved and is now available on Windows and macOS. FileMaker stored runtime databases in .usr files - an extension the developer chooses when building the standalone application - supported on both platforms.
Note that the FileMaker runtime solution feature was retired in FileMaker 19 (2020). Modern Claris FileMaker Pro uses the .fmp12 format. To open a legacy .usr file, you need the original bundled runtime executable or an older version of FileMaker Pro compatible with .fp7 or .fp5 databases.
Can I convert .usr files to other formats?
.usr is a closed and proprietary format, but an official tool for converting .usr files to other popular database formats is available. Data in .usr files can also be exported to text documents, Excel files, and other formats. Given that the runtime feature is now retired, migrating data to a current format such as .fmp12 is recommended for long-term access.
Security & safety
RISK: MEDIUMRisk depends on which kind of .usr you have. A FileMaker runtime is distributed as an executable application plus its .usr data - treat the runtime .exe like any downloaded program (scan it, trust the source), since the database itself is opened by that executable. A generic plain-text .usr (settings/login) is harmless to view but may contain credentials or personal data, so handle it as sensitive. Don't run an unknown runtime application just to open a .usr you received from an untrusted source.
Format details
in a nutshell- Generic user-settings / login file - Many unrelated programs and devices save user-specific config or login data as .usr (often plain text); identify by the creating program.
- Yamaha keyboard / GPS user data - Some Yamaha PSR keyboards and GPS devices store user banks/waypoints as .usr - unrelated to FileMaker.
Programs that open USR files
Windows3 apps
The bundled FileMaker runtime application
Free Launch the standalone runtime program that shipped with the .usr; it opens its own database automatically (double-click the runtime's .exe, not the .usr).
Claris FileMaker Pro
Paid Open the .usr/older FileMaker file in FileMaker Pro to view or migrate the data (older .fp5/.fp7 may need conversion via an intermediate version).
Notepad++ (only if it's a generic settings .usr)
Open-source If the .usr is a plain-text user-settings file (not FileMaker), open it in a text editor to read/edit it. 
macOS2 apps
Claris FileMaker Pro (macOS)
Paid Open the legacy FileMaker .usr to view/convert it; runtime apps were also distributed for macOS historically.
TextEdit (only if it's a generic settings .usr)
Built-in Open a plain-text .usr settings file as text (Format → Make Plain Text). Technical details
deep spec| Developer | Claris International (formerly FileMaker, Inc.), an Apple subsidiary |
| Format type | Proprietary binary database bound to a FileMaker runtime standalone application |
| Encoding | Binary (proprietary FileMaker database format) |
| Byte order | Little-endian |
| File structure | Database tables, fields, records, layouts, and scripts, plus runtime binding linking data to its standalone engine |
| Encryption | Optional account and password protection; underlying data store is not encrypted by default |
| Compression | Internal FileMaker storage management; not user-configurable |
| Typical size | Kilobytes to several gigabytes, depending on record count and embedded media |
| MIME type | application/octet-stream (also application/x-filemaker) |
| Platforms | Windows and macOS |
| Extension assignment | Chosen by the developer at runtime build time; .usr is not an intrinsic FileMaker extension |
| Superseded by | .fmp12 (FileMaker Pro 12, 2012); runtime solution feature retired in FileMaker 19 (2020) |
| Related extensions | .fmp12, .fp7, .fp5, .fmpur |
| File recovery | FileMaker Recover utility performs internal consistency checks; no user-facing checksum |
| Extension overloading | .usr is also used by unrelated software for user settings/profiles, GPS firmware, and Yamaha synthesizer user banks |
| Released | FileMaker Pro runtime/Developer edition era (1990s); .usr as a bound runtime database extension |
| Latest version | Legacy - modern FileMaker uses .fmp12 (since FileMaker Pro 12, 2012); the runtime solution feature was retired in FileMaker 19 (2020) |
| Specification | www.claris.com |
USR conversions
Community Q&A
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