Change file extentions

[telboy1938]

I have received a file with a dat file extention which I can't open nor can I find how it was first compiled. I am a dummy at this sort of thing so could some kind soul explain in simple language please? Thank you. Tel

[Old_Geezer]

You need the same application that created it to open it (or a compatible reader application). Otherwise it is limited as to what you can do with it.

I suggest contacting whoever sent it to you and asking how you open it. What you need. Since many incompatible applications could be using a .dat extension.

[MarkRae]

.dat typically means "data". Loads of software applications use this extension for a whole myriad of different purposes.

You could always try to open it in Notepad and see if you can read it. If you can, chances are that the first few lines will be some sort of "header" which might give you a clue...

[ChuckFickens]

If it's called winmail.dat then ignore it.

winmail.dat is a file that outlook sometimes attaches to emails and all it contains is another copy of the mail in a different format that only outlook recognises.