Want to import data from TSV file to dBase?
Try Withdata FileToDB, a desktop TSV to dBase converter for Windows, MacOS, and Linux, Convert TSV to dBase, Easy and Fast.
- Can run in GUI mode, Step by Step, just a few mouse clicks.
- Can run in Command line, for Scheduled Tasks and Streams.
- Convert locally and privately, avoid uploading large or private TSV file(s) to online services.
- Support Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Import data from TSV file to dBase
Login to dBase -> Choose TSV file -> Set dBase table -> Import TSV to dBase
Choose dBase and logon.

Click “Wizard – 1 File To 1 Table” at task dialog.

Select the “TSV” file type.

then show the wizard.
1. Open a TSV file.
Support large ( > 4GB ) TSV file.

Here is the file’s content.

2. Select a dBase table and config fields.

3. Preview data will be in dBase table.

4. Import TSV data to dBase.

View imported data in dBase table

Import TSV to dBase in command line
Save “TSV to dBase” session, then you can:
- Import TSV to dBase in Windows command line.
- Import TSV to dBase in Linux command line.
- Import TSV to dBase in macOS command line.
Set scheduled tasks for importing TSV to dBase
You can schedule and automate this “TSV to dBase” conversion task by:
- Save session and create .bat (Windows) or .sh (Linux/macOS) file for “TSV to dBase” conversion.
- Set scheduled task for “TSV to dBase” conversion.
FAQ
What is Withdata FileToDB?
How long does it take to import TSV data to dBase?
Is it safe to import TSV data to dBase using FileToDB?
Can I import TSV data to dBase on Linux, Mac OS?
Can I import TSV data to dBase in command line?
More about Withdata FileToDB – TSV to dBase converter
See also:
TSV → dBase reference
Type mapping
| Value kind | in TSV | in dBase |
|---|---|---|
| Int | 1234 | Numeric(10,0) |
| Bigint | 9007199254740993 | Numeric(19,0) |
| Decimal | 1234.56 | Numeric(p,s) |
| Float | 1.234e+10 | Float |
| Text | unquoted; a tab in the value splits the column | Character(n) |
| Long text | unquoted; newlines break the row | Memo |
| Date | 2026-09-18 | Date |
| Datetime | 2026-09-18 14:30:00 | (none) |
| Binary | not representable | (none) |
| Boolean | TRUE / FALSE | Logical |
| JSON | the whole JSON value as-is (its own quotes stay) | (none) |
Dialect differences
TSV is a file format and dBase is a database server, so the target has to be told the types the file never carried - the rows below are where the two sides diverge.
| Property | in TSV | in dBase |
|---|---|---|
| port | — | (file-based) |
| identifiers | Rarely used, which is exactly why tabs in data break it | — |
| row limit | — | (driver dependent) |
| dates | Conventional text: 2026-09-18 or 2026-09-18 14:30:00 | Date (D) |
| long text | — | Memo (M) |
| binary | Not supported - must be encoded | — |
| separator | Tab | — |
| encoding | No declaration - UTF-8 works only with a BOM | — |
| typing | None - every field is text | — |
| shape | Flat table, optional header row | Tables of rows and columns |
| ceiling | No formal limit | — |
No counterpart
- TSV values of kind Date and time have nowhere to go in dBase.
- TSV values of kind Binary have nowhere to go in dBase.
- TSV values of kind JSON have nowhere to go in dBase.
Convert your data online, free
Free in-browser converters for CSV, Excel, JSON, XML and SQL: Withdata Online Data Conversion. Large files, batch conversion or scheduling? See the offline desktop apps, or browse all data conversion tools.
New to the format? Read what a TSV file is (and how it differs from CSV).
