TAB File

What are TAB files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a TAB 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 TAB files.

What is a TAB file?

TAB files have multiple uses, and Tab Separated Data is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

Tab Separated Data File

Files that contain the .tab file extension are commonly used for tab-separated data files. These files contain a table of information that stores columns of data that is separated by tabs.

The TAB file format allows the data contained in the file to be imported by almost any spreadsheet application, which will format the information contained in the file into individual data cells in spreadsheet format. As they are plain text files you can also open them with any text editor. These files are also commonly saved with the .tsv file extension.

How to open TAB files

We have identified three TAB openers that are compatible with this specific type of TAB file.

Programs that open Tab Separated Data files

Last updated: August 13, 2026

All known file formats using extension .TAB

While Tab Separated Data File is a popular type of TAB-file, we know of 8 different uses of the .TAB file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

MapInfo MapBasic Dataset Table

MapInfo MapBasic Dataset Table (.TAB) format is part of a group of files that together store geographic features and related data. The .TAB file itself is an ASCII text file created by MapInfo Professional (from Pitney Bowes / Precisely) via its MapBasic component. Its purpose is to define the structure of a dataset: it describes the layout of attribute fields (rows and columns), the coordinate system, the types of map geometry, and how the dataset links to related files. It does not contain the actual geographic shape or table of values directly (unless they are extremely simple); rather it provides instructions for where to find those and how to use them in mapping and analysis.

When you work in MapInfo Professional, creating or saving vector or raster data produces not just this .TAB file but usually several companion files. For purely tabular data without graphics, a .DAT file holds attribute values while .TAB describes their structure. For datasets that include mapped features you'll also see a .MAP file for the geometry, an .ID file that links features in the map to their attributes, and optionally an .IND file indexing table fields. GIS software such as GDAL recognizes this as a "native" format, fully usable for reading and writing features, attributes, queries and coordinate systems.

By inspecting contents you can recognize a MapInfo .TAB file from its signatures. It often begins with the keyword !table at its first byte, includes strings like "VERSION" and "TABLE" in its text, sometimes has the ASCII "able" at offset 2, and uses text clauses such as Definition, CoordSys, File, Type etc.

TAB opener for Windows

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

Common Instrument File Format

We know that one TAB format is Common Instrument File Format. 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 TAB openers which you will find listed below.

Double Commander Tabs List

We know that one TAB format is Double Commander Tabs List. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Klasik Table

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

Telemark Assembler Instruction Definition Table

We know that one TAB format is Telemark Assembler Instruction Definition Table. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Total Commander Tabs Configuration

We know that one TAB format is Total Commander Tabs Configuration. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

UCTAB Spreadsheet

We know that one TAB format is UCTAB Spreadsheet. 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 TAB files. Remember, different programs may use TAB 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 TAB file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.