Want to bulk import TSV files into DBF tables at one time?
Try Withdata FileToDB, a desktop TSV to DBF converter for Windows, MacOS, and Linux, Convert TSV to DBF, 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 files to online services.
- Support Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Bulk import TSV files into DBF tables
Login to DBF -> Choose TSV files -> Set DBF tables -> Import TSV files to DBF tables
Choose DBF and logon.

Click “Wizard – N Files To N Tables” at task dialog.

Select the “TSV” file type.

then show the wizard.
1. Select a folder that constains TSV files.
Support large ( > 4GB ) TSV files.

2. Config first TSV file importing options.

3. Set “Import Type”.

4. Map DBF tables to TSV files.

5. Summary. Set “Convert Rows” and “Skip Rows” if need.

6. Import TSV files to DBF tables, 1 file to 1 table, one by one.

View imported data in DBF table

Bulk import TSV files into DBF tables in command line
Save “bulk TSV files to DBF tables” session, then you can:
- Bulk import TSV files into DBF tables in Windows command line.
- Bulk import TSV files into DBF tables in Linux command line.
- Bulk import TSV files into DBF tables in macOS command line.
Set scheduled tasks for bulk importing TSV files into DBF tables
You can schedule and automate this converting task by:
- Save session and create .bat (Windows) or .sh (Linux/macOS) file for “TSV to DBF” conversion.
- Set scheduled task for “TSV to DBF” conversion.
FAQ
More about Withdata FileToDB – TSV to DBF converter
See Video: DBF bulk import TSV files into tables in one go
See also:
TSV → DBF reference
Type mapping
| Value kind | in TSV | in DBF |
|---|---|---|
| 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 DBF 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 DBF |
|---|---|---|
| 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 DBF.
- TSV values of kind Binary have nowhere to go in DBF.
- TSV values of kind JSON have nowhere to go in DBF.
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).
