ODB File

What are ODB files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening an ODB 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 ODB files.

What is an ODB file?

ODB files have multiple uses, and OpenDocument Database is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

OpenDocument Database

The .odb file extension is most commonly associated with the OpenOffice database application.

OpenOffice OpenDocument database files contain XML-based database information used across multiple database software programs.

This file standard was created as an alternative to traditional office database applications, such as Microsoft Access.

How to open ODB files

We have identified two ODB openers that are compatible with this specific type of ODB file.

Programs that open OpenDocument Database files

Last updated: August 10, 2026

All known file formats using extension .ODB

While OpenDocument Database is a popular type of ODB-file, we know of 3 different uses of the .ODB file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

ArcView Object Database

ArcView Object Database (.ODB) is a plain-text archive used by ESRI ArcView GIS (especially versions in the 3.x series) to store information about a GIS project's objects, layout, and behavior. The file records the names, locations, visual properties (such as font, color, size), script references, themes, view documents and layouts associated with a project session. Its purpose is to enable ArcView to save and restore all components of a project - including objects incorporated into views, tables, scripts, and layouts - so a user can close the program and later resume work with all settings intact. Known_programs confirms that ArcView GIS both writes and reads this format.

The .ODB file is generated by ArcView when saving a project or module; it functions as the project's object database. It does not typically store the spatial data layers themselves, but rather references to them, along with metadata about how they are used and displayed. When resuming a project, ArcView reads the .ODB to reconstruct the views, script libraries, layouts, and how each object should appear (properties like color, theme, font etc.).

Technically, the file is a human-readable ASCII text file. It includes entries listing object directory paths, object names, and object properties like font, color, and size. In some cases it contains protocol settings for how objects should be retrieved within ArcView. These details appear throughout the file rather than in a fixed binary signature.

ODB opener for Windows

We have identified one ODB opener that is compatible with this specific type of ODB file.

OLEDB

We know that one ODB format is OLEDB. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

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

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of ODB files. Remember, different programs may use ODB 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 ODB file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.