Fortunately, we’ve compiled a useful guide to talk through all the essentials of this file type.
Learn what .DAT files are, how to open .DAT files and more - from the origins of the file type, to its various pros and cons.
Computer programs create DAT files to store specific information or data. The information in the file is only relevant to the programme that created it, though almost any programme can create DAT files.
DAT might look like an acronym, but the extension name is actually short for ‘data’ - so the name is more or less descriptive.
The reason files using .DAT format are not simply called ‘.data’ is that general convention reduces an extension’s file name to three letters. This makes it easier to remember, type out and read. If were no limits to naming conventions, you could find yourself facing hard-to-read alternatives such as ‘.DATACREATEDBYSPECIFICPROGRAMS’.
Because programmes create DAT files to hold data and only they can read those .DAT files, there have been countless versions of these over the years.
However, the term was in use as far back as 1964 - only six years after the invention of the computer chip and at a time when computers were used primarily by academics and researchers. While its format has no doubt changed, the purpose of the DAT file has remained much the same.
What data a .DAT file includes and the format it takes, can be almost endless in possibility. DAT files can contain anything from video to audio to PDF information. As such, you’re likely to see DAT files produced by programmes of all shapes and sizes. Whether it’s on your desktop or your mobile, a video game or an email attachment, DAT files are everywhere.
That said, many DAT files typically contain text, so don’t be surprised if most of the DAT files you happen to see are text-based.
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Pros.
Cons.
If you want to open a DAT file, you’ll need to first understand what kind of data is inside the file.
The vast majority contain plain text and can usually be opened with a text editing programme such as Notepad or TextEdit. If that option isn’t available, you can right click the file and select ‘Open with’, before choosing a specific programme.
If the data inside your DAT file is audio or video, then select a media player to open your file. If the information is in PDF format, then Adobe Acrobat will be able to open the file.
Creating a DAT file is easy with Notepad. Simply:
1. Type in your desired text.
2. Head to ‘File’ followed by ‘Save As’.
3. Choose ‘All Files’ as the file type and add the ‘.dat’ on the end of the file name before pressing save.
To edit a DAT file, either open one you’ve created or one made by a programme and edit it as you would any other file. Just make sure you use an appropriate programme to do so.
If the DAT file you want to open contains a PDF, you should be able to open it using Adobe Acrobat. If it doesn’t contain PDF data, there’s still the option of converting your DAT file to a PDF. For example, if you first convert your DAT file to Word format, you can then convert from Word to PDF using Adobe’s free online converter.
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The contents of a DAT file determine what will be able to open it. DAT files are mostly plain text based - if so, these can be opened with text editors such as Notepad or TextEditor. You might find that when you open your DAT file the text is incoherent and full of symbols. If this happens, then your DAT file does not contain plain text. If the data contained within is audio or video, you will need a relevant programme to open it.
You can try to open a DAT file in Word by double clicking the file. If that doesn’t work, you might need to convert the file type into one that Word can read. You should be able to convert your DAT file into .doc or .docx.
Excel can open DAT files, depending on the content. If your DAT file contains plain text, Excel should be able to open it if you save it as a .CSV file. You can do this by heading to the ‘Save As’ function under ‘File’ and selecting ‘Save As Type’ before choosing CSV or Comma Separated Values.
DAT files aren’t by definition viruses. In fact, you might even see DAT files used by your anti-virus software. Some malicious users might choose to use DAT files to hide dangerous data, however, so always be sensible with what you download and take recommended precautions.
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