Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: How to Open a Known DAT File in Windows
• Method 2 of 3: How to Open a Known DAT File on Mac OS X
• Method 3 of 3: Finding the Right Program
• Tips
• Warnings

This article will show you how to open a DAT file on a Windows or Mac OS X computer. This file can be opened in the program in which it was created. If you do not know which program was used to create the DAT file, find out. Keep in mind that some DAT files, such as those that store language codecs, cannot be opened with any normal program; such files are used by the computer system and, therefore, it is not recommended to edit them.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: How to Open a Known DAT File in Windows

1. 1 Find out which program created the DAT file. Unlike most file types, DAT files can be created in almost any program. Therefore, you need to know in which program a particular DAT file was created in order to open it.
   • If you do not know which program was used to create the DAT file, find out.
2. 2 Run the program. Double click on the icon of the program in which the DAT file was created.
3. 3 Click on File (File). Usually this option is located in the upper left corner of the program window. A menu will open.
4. 4 Click on Open (Open). This option is on the File menu. The Explorer window will open.
   • In Microsoft Office, double-click on "This PC" in the middle of the page (when you click "Open") to open an Explorer window.
5. 5 Display all files in Explorer. Open the file type menu (to the right of the Name text box) and select All Files. Explorer will now display all files, including DAT files.
6. 6 Select the DAT file. Navigate to the folder with the desired DAT file and click on it.
7. 7 Click on Open. It's in the lower-right corner of the window. The DAT file will open in the program.
8. 8 Confirm that you want to view the file. In some cases, a message will appear stating that the content of the file does not match the file extension (or similar). In this case, click “Yes” or “Open” to open the DAT file.
   • For example, when you try to open a DAT file in Excel, you might get a message that the file is corrupted. In this case, click Yes to open the file anyway.
9. 9 Change the extension of the DAT file if necessary. Do this to avoid dragging and dropping the DAT file into the corresponding program window whenever you want to open the file.Keep in mind that you need to know the exact extension used for the DAT file, as changing the format even to a similar format (for example, MP4 to AVI) can break the file:
   • Right click on the DAT file and choose Rename from the menu.
   • Highlight dat in the file name.
   • Replace dat to the corresponding extension.

Method 2 of 3: How to Open a Known DAT File on Mac OS X

1. 1 Find out which program created the DAT file. Unlike most file types, DAT files can be created in almost any program. Therefore, you need to know in which program a particular DAT file was created in order to open it.
   • If you do not know which program was used to create the DAT file, find out.
2. 2 Run the program. Double click on the icon of the program in which the DAT file was created.
3. 3 Drag the DAT file into the program window. To do this, click on the file and, while holding the right mouse button, drag it into the program window.
   • Typically, Mac OS X treats a DAT file as unreadable, so the file cannot be opened using the File> Open menu of the selected program.
4. 4 Release the mouse button. The DAT file will open in the selected program.
5. 5 Confirm that you want to view the file. In some cases, a message will appear stating that the content of the file does not match the file extension (or similar). In this case, click “Yes” or “Open” to open the DAT file.
   • For example, when you try to open a DAT file in Excel, you might get a message that the file is corrupted. In this case, click Yes to open the file anyway.
6. 6 Change the extension of the DAT file if necessary. Do this to avoid dragging and dropping the DAT file into the corresponding program window whenever you want to open the file. Keep in mind that you need to know the exact extension used for the DAT file, as changing the format even to a similar format (for example, MP4 to AVI) can break the file:
   • Select the DAT file.
   • Click File> Properties.
   • Click on the triangle icon next to Name and Extension.
   • Uncheck the "Hide extension" box if necessary.
   • Replace dat with the corresponding file extension.
   • Click on ⏎ Returnand then click "Use [extension]" when prompted (for example, in the case of an XLSX file, click "Use .xlsx").

Method 3 of 3: Finding the Right Program

1. 1 Analyze some of the elements associated with the file. You may be able to figure out which program to use by location or filename.
   • For example, if the DAT file is stored in the Adobe folder, it is likely that the file can be opened in an Adobe program.
   • If the DAT file is in the system folder, it is best not to touch it because it is used by system utilities or services.
2. 2 Ask the creator of the file. If you received the DAT file by email or downloaded it from a site, try contacting the person who sent you the email or posted the DAT file to the site and find out which program was used to create the file.
   • It is unlikely that this will help if you leave a question on a crowded forum or file sharing service, but most likely a colleague or friend who sent the file will help you.
3. 3 Open the DAT file in a text editor. You can use the built-in text editor to view some (or all) of the contents of the DAT file:
   • Windows: Open Notepad and drag the DAT file into it.
   • Mac: Open TextEdit (located in the Applications folder) and drag the DAT file into it.
4. 4 Review the DAT file information. Depending on the DAT file, one or two lines may contain information about the program that was used to create the file.
   • Even if there is no such information, look for a line that describes the content of the file (for example, a video or text).
5. 5 Try opening the DAT file in a regular program. Some programs, such as VLC, iTunes, Preview, and Notepad ++, can open different types of files (without being able to edit the contents of the files).
   • For example, most video files can be opened in the VLC media player, and almost any text file in Notepad ++ (on Windows).
6. 6 Try trial and error. If you can't figure out which program to use, try opening the DAT file in different programs.To do this, start the program and drag the DAT file into its window.
   • If the file opens, you have found the program you are looking for.
   • If the screen displays a random pattern of characters, you have selected the wrong program.

Tips

• DAT files that are stored in system folders (for example, any folder in the Program Files folder in Windows or in the ~ Library folder in Mac OS X) are used by default by the programs in which these files were created, so these DAT files no need to open.
• BBEdit is the Mac OS X equivalent of Notepad ++. It can open various types of files (from text files to PHP files). Therefore, with its help, you can find out the associations of DAT files.

Warnings

• If the program that created the DAT file does not support your computer's system, open the DAT file on another computer.