DBH File

What are DBH files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a DBH 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 DBH files.

What is a DBH file?

A .DBH file is a PC-File Database Header file.

PC-File Database Header files store the description of a flat-file database made with PC-File, an MS-DOS database program from the 1980s. They define the structure of the data: how many fields the database has, what each field is called and how wide each is. These files are used by PC-File alongside a data file that holds the actual record values and often an index file to speed up lookups.

The header is produced by the PC-File program when creating or modifying a database definition. It is read by PC-File when opening the database, so it knows how to interpret the raw data file. Typically each field definition in the header occupies a fixed-length block, containing the field name and its maximum length. The database header enables PC-File to display, sort, search and otherwise manipulate database records correctly according to the schema laid out in this file.

Internal identification of the file begins with the bytes D B H (ASCII "DBH") followed by a zero byte, then ASCII "j", then another zero byte, at the very start of the file. These six-byte signature helps software distinguish PC-File database header files from other formats.

How to open DBH files

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

While we have not verified the app ourselves yet, our users have suggested a single DBH opener which you will find listed below.

Last updated: October 22, 2026

Various apps that use files with this extension

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

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