Want to import data from TSV file to DBF?
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 file(s) to online services.
- Support Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Import data from TSV file to DBF
Login to DBF -> Choose TSV file -> Set DBF table -> Import TSV to DBF
Choose DBF 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 DBF table and config fields.

3. Preview data will be in DBF table.

4. Import TSV data to DBF.

View imported data in DBF table

Import TSV to DBF in command line
Save “TSV to DBF” session, then you can:
- Import TSV to DBF in Windows command line.
- Import TSV to DBF in Linux command line.
- Import TSV to DBF in macOS command line.
Set scheduled tasks for importing TSV to DBF
You can schedule and automate this “TSV to DBF” conversion 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
What is Withdata FileToDB?
How long does it take to import TSV data to DBF?
Is it safe to import TSV data to DBF using FileToDB?
Can I import TSV data to DBF on Linux, Mac OS?
Can I import TSV data to DBF in command line?
More about Withdata FileToDB – TSV to DBF converter
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).
