How to Extract RDB Files (13 Steps)
By Tammy Clevenger
Database table data is often exported into the RDB file type. An “.rdb” file extension identifies an ASCII file containing database data in tabular format that can be imported, or copied and pasted, into a spreadsheet. Extract data from an RDB file in one of two ways: change the file extension from “.rdb” to “.tsv” (tab separated value) and open the file in Excel, or open the RDB file in a text editor such as Notepad and then copy the data into the spreadsheet
Rename RDB File Extension to TSV
Step 1
Right-click on the Windows “Start” button and then click “Open Windows Explorer.”
Step 2
Click “Tools” from the top navigation bar and select “Folder Options.”
Step 3
Click the “View” tab and uncheck the “Hide Extensions for Known File Types” option.
Step 4
Click “OK.”
Step 5
Navigate to the RDB file in Windows Explorer.
Step 6
Right-click on the RDB file and click “Rename.”
Step 7
Type “TSV” over the RDB file extension. The file is now “converted” to a tab separated value file.
Step 8
Right-click on the TSV file and click “Open With.” Click “Microsoft Excel” or another spreadsheet application from the list of available applications. The TSV file opens and the data is extracted to a spreadsheet.
Copy and Paste RDB Data Into a Spreadsheet
Step 1
Open a blank worksheet in a spreadsheet program such as Microsoft Excel.
Step 2
Right-click on the RDB file and click “Open With.” Click “Notepad” or “WordPad" from the list of available options. The file opens in your text editor.
Step 3
Click the “Edit” button on the top navigation bar of the text editor and click “Select All.” All data is selected.
Step 4
Right-click on the gray corner square in the top left corner of the spreadsheet page and then click “Paste” from the context menu. Each data value pastes into a cell in the spreadsheet page.
Step 5
Click the “File” option, then click “Save” to save the extracted data.
Writer Bio
Tammy Clevenger works in the I.T. industry while maintaining creative outlets through film making, writing and audio production. She is a published academic author and is an accomplished and certified Project Management Professional.