ALC File

What are ALC files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening an ALC file or are you simply curious about its contents? We're here to explain the properties of these files and provide you with software that can open or handle your ALC files.

What is an ALC file?

An .ALC file is an AcuCorp AcuCOBOL License file.

AcuCorp AcuCOBOL license files store the licensing information that ACUCOBOL-GT products need in order to run correctly. Created by the vendor (originally AcuCorp, now under Micro Focus), one of these files is generated via the License Activator tool when installing or activating any ACUCOBOL-GT component. At install time the user enters a product code and key, and the tool writes a license file for each product. Without a valid license file, the runtime or compiler reports an error and refuses to function.

These license files are named to match the executable of the product they protect - using the same base name but with the special license format's extension. For example, ACUCOBOL-GT runtime executable "runcbl" has a license file named "runcbl.alc". Compiler executables follow similar naming. The runtime searches for the license file first in the directory containing its executable; on Windows installations version 9.0 and later it also looks in a shared application data path specific to Micro Focus "extend" products.

Internally the license file includes data such as the product version, serial number, expiration date, and how many users are permitted. The format begins with a recognizable ASCII header signature indicating that it is an ACUCOBOL license file ("# ACUCOBOL license file") at the very start (offset zero).

How to open ALC files

Important: Different programs may use files with the ALC file extension for different purposes, so unless you are sure which format your ALC file is, you may need to try a few different programs.

While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested ten different ALC openers which you will find listed below.

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of ALC files. Remember, different programs may use ALC files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.

Help us help others

File.org helps thousands of users every day, and we would love to hear from you if you have additional information about ALC file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.