What is a .DAT file? (How to open & convert)
Learn what .DAT is, how to open it, and use an embedded local-only tool for common tasks.
.DAT The .DAT extension is a generic 'container'. It doesn't belong to one specific program. It could be anything: a video from a VCD, a cached email attachment (winmail.dat), or a game configuration file.
Basic info
- Full name: Generic Data File
- Developer: Multiple (Standardized by specific apps)
- Category: System / Data
How to open a .DAT file
On macOS: TextEdit or specialized decoders for specific app data.
On Windows: Try Notepad or a Text Editor first to see if it's readable. If it's a winmail.dat file, use a specialized TNEF decoder.
On mobile: Very difficult to open on mobile without knowing the originating application.
Try a related tool
Use a local-only tool (no uploads) for common tasks.
Technical characteristics
- Can be either Binary or Plain Text.
- No standard structure; the internal data depends entirely on the program that created it.
- Often used for temporary or configuration storage.
Common scenarios
- Opening 'winmail.dat' attachments sent from Microsoft Outlook.
- Recovering video data from old VCD or SVCD discs.
- Checking game settings or save-game data for manual editing.
Security notes
Because .DAT files can be almost anything, they are sometimes used to hide malicious scripts. Never run a .DAT file as an administrator unless you know exactly what it contains.