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

Click “Export All Tables” at task dialog.

Select SQL file type.

1. Select DBF tables to export.

2. Set SQL options.

3. See DBF tables to be exported.

4. Set rows options.

5. Export DBF data to SQL files.

After exporting, you can view output SQL files.

More about DBF to SQL converter
See also:
- Export DBF table to SQL
- Export DBF query results to SQL
- Export multiple similar DBF tables to one SQL file
DBF → SQL reference
Type mapping
| Value kind | in DBF | in SQL |
|---|---|---|
| Int | Numeric(10,0) | INT |
| Bigint | Numeric(19,0) | BIGINT |
| Decimal | Numeric(p,s) | DECIMAL(p,s) |
| Float | Float | DOUBLE PRECISION |
| Text | Character(n) | VARCHAR(n) |
| Long text | Memo | TEXT / CLOB |
| Date | Date | DATE |
| Datetime | (none) | TIMESTAMP |
| Binary | (none) | BLOB / BYTEA |
| Boolean | Logical | BOOLEAN / SMALLINT |
| JSON | (none) | JSON / TEXT |
Dialect differences
DBF is a database server and SQL 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 SQL |
|---|---|---|
| port | (file-based) | — |
| identifiers | — | Two competing conventions: single-quoted literals and diale... |
| row limit | (driver dependent) | — |
| dates | Date (D) | Depends on the dialect: DATE literals, TO_DATE(), or plain ... |
| long text | Memo (M) | — |
| binary | — | Dialect-specific: X-quoted literal, 0x hex, or decode() |
| separator | — | Statement terminators (;) |
| encoding | — | No declaration |
| typing | — | Types belong to the target database, and they differ betwee... |
| shape | Tables of rows and columns | Statements; a dump usually means CREATE TABLE plus INSERT rows |
| ceiling | — | No formal limit, but a single INSERT statement has to fit i... |
No counterpart
- SQL has no equivalent for Date and time – it has to be flattened or dropped.
- SQL has no equivalent for Binary – it has to be flattened or dropped.
- SQL 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.
