Want to batch export data from DBF tables to JSON files?
Try Withdata DBToFile, a DBF to JSON converter for Windows, Linux, and macOS, Export DBF data to JSON, 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.
- Support Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Batch export data from DBF tables to JSON files
Login to DBF -> Select DBF tables -> Set JSON file options -> Export DBF tables to JSON
Choose DBF and logon.

Click “Export All Tables” at task dialog.

Select JSON file type.

1. Select DBF tables to export.

2. Set JSON options.

3. See DBF tables to be exported.

4. Set rows options.

5. Export DBF data to JSON files.

After exporting, you can view output JSON files.

More about DBF to JSON converter
See also:
- Export DBF table to JSON
- Export DBF query results to JSON
- Export multiple similar DBF tables to one JSON file
DBF → JSON reference
Type mapping
| Value kind | in DBF | in JSON |
|---|---|---|
| Int | Numeric(10,0) | 1234 (number) |
| Bigint | Numeric(19,0) | 9007199254740993 |
| Decimal | Numeric(p,s) | 1234.56 (number) |
| Float | Float | 1.234e10 (number) |
| Text | Character(n) | "text" (string) |
| Long text | Memo | "multi-line\ntext" (escaped newline inside a string) |
| Date | Date | "2026-09-18" (string) |
| Datetime | (none) | "2026-09-18T14:30:00Z" (string) |
| Binary | (none) | "base64:..." (string) |
| Boolean | Logical | true / false (boolean) |
| JSON | (none) | nested object or array, kept as structure |
Dialect differences
DBF is a database server and JSON is a file format, so the gap is wider than a dialect difference – the rows below are where values and structure stop lining up.
| Property | in DBF | in JSON |
|---|---|---|
| port | (file-based) | — |
| identifiers | — | Double quotes; backslash escapes |
| row limit | (driver dependent) | — |
| dates | Date (D) | No date type: dates arrive as strings and the reader must p... |
| long text | Memo (M) | — |
| binary | — | Not supported natively - base64 inside a string |
| separator | — | Braces and commas |
| encoding | — | UTF-8 by definition |
| typing | — | string, number, boolean, null, object, array - no date type |
| shape | Tables of rows and columns | Nested objects and arrays |
| ceiling | — | Whole document is usually parsed into memory |
No counterpart
- JSON has no equivalent for Date and time – it has to be flattened or dropped.
- JSON has no equivalent for Binary – it has to be flattened or dropped.
- JSON has no equivalent for JSON – it has to be flattened or dropped.
DBF to CSV without the manual work
For batch jobs, large files and scheduling use the DBF to CSV converter — an offline desktop app for Windows, Linux and macOS. Free trial.
