PAB File

What are PAB files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a PAB 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 PAB files.

What is a PAB file?

A .PAB file is a Microsoft Personal Address Book file.

Microsoft Personal Address Book (extension .pab) stores a set of contact entries such as names, email addresses, phone numbers and other address information, separate from email messages. It was created by Microsoft for use with Outlook and Exchange in earlier versions, allowing users to maintain a personal directory of contacts that can be added to an Outlook profile and accessed through Microsoft's address book interface.

The files are written by Microsoft email software (notably older versions of Outlook and components of Exchange) when a user or administrator builds a Personal Address Book file. Later these entries are often imported into newer contact systems such as Outlook Contacts. The format is no longer actively used in modern versions but remains readable for legacy migration and archival access.

As a technical identifier, the file begins with the ASCII signature bytes "!BDN" at offset 0. At offset 8 it contains the two ASCII characters "BA", the content-type signature for PAB files within the PFF family shared with PST and OST formats.

How to open PAB files

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

Programs that open Microsoft Personal Address Book files

Last updated: August 10, 2026

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of PAB files. Remember, different programs may use PAB 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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