.DIF

Файл DIF

Data Interchange Format (spreadsheet)
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A DIF file is a Data Interchange Format spreadsheet, a plain-text format created in 1981 to move a single sheet of rows and columns between programs. Open it in Microsoft Excel, LibreOffice Calc, or Google Sheets and it loads as a normal grid. DIF stores only cell values - no formatting, formulas, or multiple sheets - so converting to CSV or XLSX is usually the next step.

Разработчик: Software Arts (creators of VisiCalc); later an open de facto interchange format Категория: Файлы электронных таблиц Открыть стандартное MIME: text/plain
ОТКРЫВАЕТСЯ НА Windows macOS Linux Web
Связанные: .ODS · .NUMBERS · .XLSX · .XLSB

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Проиндексировано расширений: 19k+
Последняя проверка: Jul 27, 2026

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Что такое формат файла DIF?

.dif is a spreadsheet data interchange format that stores data in plain text. The format is standardized, meaning that exporting data to a .dif file preserves the data layout and can be directly imported to other spreadsheet programs. Many parsing issues - such as the wrong field-separator problem when importing data from CSV files - are eliminated with this approach.

A single .dif file can hold only a single spreadsheet table; multiple .dif files can be used together when exchanging data across sheets. The format allows data from various applications to be shared with different spreadsheet programs in a formatting-agnostic way. Unlike XLSX workbooks or ODS files, .dif carries no formatting, fonts, charts, macros, or formulas - only the calculated cell values of one flat table.

The .dif standard was developed by Software Arts in 1981 for the VisiCalc spreadsheet, and was later adopted as an open de facto interchange format by many applications. A .dif file always begins with the literal keyword TABLE on its own line, followed by a version line 0,1 and VECTORS (column count), TUPLES (row count), and a DATA section that lists each cell as a type code and value pair. Note that .dif should not be confused with a Unix diff/patch file, which can share the same extension.

Безопасность и защита

РИСК: LOW

A DIF spreadsheet is plain text with no macros, scripts or embedded objects, so opening one is low-risk - there is no formula or macro engine inside the file itself. As with any data file, only the values are present; the usual caution is making sure a file labelled .dif is actually the spreadsheet format and not something else (e.g. a diff/patch text file) before importing it. Avoid obscure "DIF opener" download sites - Excel, LibreOffice Calc and Google Sheets already read DIF.

Детали формата

в двух словах
ПОЛНОЕ НАЗВАНИЕData Interchange Format (spreadsheet)также известен как DIF, Navy DIF
РАЗРАБОТЧИКSoftware Arts (creators of VisiCalc); later an open de facto interchange formatс 1981 (created by Software Arts for VisiCalc to exchange single-sheet data)
MIME-ТИПtext/plain
ТИПPlain-text, row/column spreadsheet interchange format (tagged ASCII)
СТАНДАРТОткрытый · без роялти
СВЯЗАННЫЕ.ods.numbers.xlsx.xlsb
Это расширение также используется в…
  • diff / patch file (Unix) - A .dif (or .diff) can be a text patch produced by the 'diff' tool listing line changes between files - unrelated to the spreadsheet format.
  • AVHRR / satellite imagery DIF - Some remote-sensing toolchains use .dif for data products; a niche meaning distinct from the spreadsheet interchange format.

Программы, открывающие файлы DIF

Windows4 apps
Microsoft Excel Платно File -> Open the .dif (choose 'All Files' if needed); it loads as a grid. Save As -> XLSX/CSV to keep it in a modern format.
NotePad++ text editor Открытый код Open the .dif as text to inspect the raw TABLE/VECTORS/TUPLES structure (viewing only).
Gnumeric Открытый код Lightweight spreadsheet with solid legacy-format support; opens .dif and saves CSV/XLSX.
LibreOffice Calc Открытый код Open the .dif directly (free); Calc imports DIF and lets you Save As ODS/XLSX/CSV.
macOS2 apps
Microsoft Excel Платно File -> Open the .dif (choose 'All Files' if needed); it loads as a grid. Save As -> XLSX/CSV to keep it in a modern format.
LibreOffice Calc Открытый код Open the .dif directly (free); Calc imports DIF and lets you Save As ODS/XLSX/CSV.
Linux2 apps
Gnumeric Открытый код Lightweight spreadsheet with solid legacy-format support; opens .dif and saves CSV/XLSX.
LibreOffice Calc Открытый код Open the .dif directly (free); Calc imports DIF and lets you Save As ODS/XLSX/CSV.
Web1 app
Google Sheets Бесплатно File -> Import -> Upload the .dif; Sheets parses it into a grid, then File -> Download as XLSX/CSV.

Технические подробности

глубокая спецификация
File encodingPlain ASCII text (7-bit); no binary content or Unicode
File structureThree sections in order: header keywords TABLE, VECTORS, TUPLES - each followed by a numeric line and a quoted comment - then a DATA section listing every cell
Magic bytes / identificationNo binary signature; file always begins with the literal token TABLE on its own line, then the version line 0,1
MIME typetext/plain (also application/x-dif or application/dif)
VECTORS fieldHeader keyword declaring the number of columns (vectors) in the table
TUPLES fieldHeader keyword declaring the number of rows (tuples) in the table
Cell data typesNumeric values (type 0) and string literals (type 1); formulas are not stored - only their computed results
Sheets per fileOne flat two-dimensional table only; multi-sheet workbooks require separate .dif files
Formatting supportNone - no fonts, colors, column widths, borders, charts, or macros are stored
CompressionNone - stored as uncompressed plain text
EncryptionNone - no built-in security or password protection
Typical file sizeA few KB to a few hundred KB for a single table of values
Superseded byCSV for plain tabular values; XLSX and ODS for full-featured workbook exchange
Name collisionExtension .dif is also used by Unix diff/patch output files - entirely unrelated to the spreadsheet format
Выпущен1981 (created by Software Arts for VisiCalc to exchange single-sheet data)
Последняя версияStable since the early 1980s - the format has not evolved
Открыть стандартноеДа · без роялти
Спецификацияen.wikipedia.org

Конвертации DIF

Вопросы и ответы сообщества

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Часто задаваемые вопросы

What is a DIF file?
It's a Data Interchange Format spreadsheet - an old plain-text format (from the VisiCalc era, 1981) for exchanging a single sheet of rows and columns between spreadsheet programs. It stores only values, no formatting or formulas.
How do I open a DIF file?
Open it in Microsoft Excel, LibreOffice Calc or Google Sheets (File -> Open / Import) - they all read DIF and display it as a normal grid. Since it's text, Notepad can show the raw structure too.
How do I convert a DIF file to CSV or Excel?
Open the .dif in Excel or LibreOffice Calc and use Save As to pick CSV, XLSX or ODS. DIF holds only one sheet of values, so the conversion is lossless to CSV and clean into XLSX.
Why does my DIF file only have values and no formatting or formulas?
By design - DIF stores just the cell values of a single sheet. Formatting, fonts, multiple sheets, charts and formulas (saved as their results) are not part of the format. Use XLSX/ODS if you need those.
Is a .dif file a spreadsheet or a diff/patch?
It can be either. The spreadsheet Data Interchange Format and a Unix 'diff' patch both use .dif. If Notepad shows a 'TABLE / VECTORS / TUPLES' header it's the spreadsheet; if it shows lines of code changes (---/+++/@@) it's a patch.
Should I still use DIF?
Rarely - it's legacy. If you only need plain values, CSV is simpler and universally supported; for full spreadsheets use XLSX or ODS. Convert old DIF files to one of those.

Ссылки

1Wikipedia - Data Interchange Formaten.wikipedia.org
2Microsoft Support - File formats supported in Excel (DIF)support.microsoft.com

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