SCH File

What are SCH files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a SCH 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 SCH files.

What is a SCH file?

SCH files have multiple uses, and DProtel Schematic is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

DProtel Schematic

We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

How to open SCH files

Important: Different programs may use files with the SCH file extension for different purposes, so unless you are sure which format your SCH 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 SCH openers which you will find listed below.

Last updated: August 13, 2026

All known file formats using extension .SCH

While DProtel Schematic is a popular type of SCH-file, we know of 12 different uses of the .SCH file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

EAGLE Circuit Schematic

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

ExpressSCH Schematic

ExpressSCH Schematic files (extension .SCH) are binary schematic-design documents used only by the ExpressSCH program, part of the free ExpressPCB software suite by ExpressPCB, LLC. They store the complete logical diagram for an electronic circuit - components, wiring, net labels, power & ground symbols, sheets, ports, and layout on a schematic canvas. You will typically see them when you create and save a schematic design in ExpressSCH.

These files are produced solely by ExpressSCH. After creating a schematic, users save it as a .SCH file in projects or example directories under ExpressPCB's installation folder. These files serve as input for ExpressPCB or related tools: later stages include transferring the schematic data into a PCB layout program, generating documentation, or preparing for board fabrication. They are proprietary in nature, and other schematic or electronics design tools generally cannot open or parse them.

At the binary level, these files begin with a signature marker: the first three bytes at offset zero read 0x78 0x56 0x31 0x01 (ASCII "xV1" followed by one). This signature helps distinguish ExpressSCH .SCH files from other schematic formats that share the same extension.

SCH opener for Windows

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

GFA Raytrace Compressed Image

We know that one SCH format is GFA Raytrace Compressed Image. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

KiCad Schematic

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

Programs that open these SCH files

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

MicroSim/OrCAD PSpice Schematic

MicroSim/OrCAD PSpice Schematic (.SCH) files store circuit schematic designs used with PSpice Schematics (originally by MicroSim, later under OrCAD). They define how components, connections, attributes, and pages of the schematic are laid out prior to simulation. These files are written by the PSpice Schematics editor as the work-in-progress diagram and serve as input to generate a netlist (.CIR or .NET) and other auxiliary files needed for electrical circuit simulation.

When using PSpice Schematics the user places symbol parts (resistors, transistors etc.), connects them with nets and wires, sets attributes like part names, models, and package references, defines page layout and titles, and configures analysis settings. The .SCH file captures all of that: parts with their reference designators (REFDES), package reference blocks (PKGREF), gates for multi-gate devices, page titles and sizes, analysis directives and attributes. After the schematic is complete, PSpice uses the .SCH to export to a netlist which describes the circuit electrically, then runs simulations on that.

Inside this file format, there is plain text content starting with a version marker (ASCII "*version …") and many identifiable keyword strings like TRANSLATORS, ATTRIBUTES, PAGETITLE, PAGECOUNT, ANALYSIS, JUNCTION, PARTS, PKGREF, REFDES, PORTS, CONN, STATUS, TARGETS, TITLEBLK etc. These keywords label data fields that define schematic pages, parts, connectivity, attributes, and simulation settings.

Programs that open these SCH files

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

OrCAD SDT Schematic

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

P-CAD Schematic

We know that one SCH format is P-CAD Schematic. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Personal CAD PC-CAPS Database

We know that one SCH format is Personal CAD PC-CAPS Database. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Proton Language Schema

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

Qucs Schematic

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

Spider Syntax Script

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

Various apps that use files with this extension

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