DAT files are generic files whose purpose is to store contents of any kind. By accessing a specific DAT file using the program that created it, it is possible to consult its contents without any difficulty, but the complicated part lies in finding out which software was used for its creation. The extension ".dat" is the abbreviation for the English word "data", ie data. DAT files are used by the Minecraft video game to store user and game world data. To modify these specific files, it is recommended that you use the NBTExplorer program. By modifying the Minecraft DAT files you can change the game experience and its contents. The contents of a DAT file can be accessed using any text editor, but if the data is not stored in text format it will be incomprehensible; this is especially true for DAT files created from video content. DAT files are sometimes generated by Outlook when sending emails containing formatted text, such as bold or italic. Within this DAT file, Outlook stores content formatting information, which without this element would be unusable.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Open and Edit a DAT File
Step 1. Open the DAT file under consideration using a text editor
You can use any editor, even the native one of your operating system, such as Microsoft's "Notepad" or "TextEdit" on OS X systems.
Step 2. Look for clues as to the nature of the contents of the file
Sometimes, even if the stored data is incomprehensible, the DAT file may contain fragments of readable text that can indicate the nature of the data or the program that generated it.
- For example, if you think the DAT file under consideration is actually a video file, you can try playing it with a media player.
- If you try to modify a DAT file whose contents are incomprehensible and save the changes made, the resulting file will be corrupted and unusable, even if opened with the correct program.
Step 3. Edit the DAT file
Make the necessary changes according to your needs as if you were editing any other text file, then save your work when done.
Method 2 of 5: Change the Extension of a DAT File in Windows
Step 1. Make the file extension visible
In Windows, you must make it visible before you can change the extension of a file. Open an "Explorer" or "File Explorer" window, then navigate to the folder where the file to be edited is stored. If the file name ends with a period (.) Followed by three characters, the file extensions are visible. If not, use this link for more information on how to make file extensions visible in Windows.
Step 2. Change the extension of the file in question
Locate the element you want to modify, select it with the right mouse button, then choose the "Rename" option from the context menu that appeared. Change the filename extension, then press the Enter key to finish the job. A system dialog box will be displayed warning you that this operation could make the file in question unusable; press the Yes button to continue.
If you are not sure which extension to use, use this link for a detailed list of the most common file extensions
Method 3 of 5: Change the Extension of a DAT File on OS X Systems
Step 1. Make the file extension visible
On a Mac, you need to make it visible before you can change the extension of a file. Open a Finder window, then navigate to the folder where the file you want to edit is stored. If the file name ends with a period (.) Followed by three characters, the file extensions are visible. If not, use this link for more information on how to make file extensions visible on Mac.
Step 2. Change the extension of the file in question
Locate the element you want to modify, select it with the right mouse button, then choose the "Get Info" option from the context menu that appeared. Change the file name extension displayed in the "Name and extension" field of the window that appears. When you've finished making changes, close the window. This operation will cause a system pop-up to appear on the screen which will ask you to confirm your wish to rename the file in question. To continue, press the Keep button.
Method 4 of 5: Make File Extension Visible in Windows
Step 1. Log in to the "Control Panel"
To do this, press the Start button, then choose the "Control Panel" item. Select the "Appearance and Personalization" category located in the "Control Panel" window.
Step 2. Make file extensions visible
Select the "Folder Options" link, go to the "View" tab, then uncheck the "Hide extensions for known file types" checkbox in the "Advanced Settings" box.
Step 3. Make file extensions visible in Windows 8
Open a "File Explorer" window, then select the "View" tab of the menu bar. Press the Options button, then choose the Change folder and search options item. Uncheck the "Hide extensions for known file types" checkbox located in the "Advanced Settings" box. When done, hit the Apply button.
Method 5 of 5: Make File Extension Visible on OS X Systems
Step 1. Access the Finder configuration settings
Open a Finder window, access the menu of the same name, then choose the "Preferences" option.
Step 2. Make file extensions visible
Go to the "Advanced" tab, select the "Show all document name extensions" checkbox, then close the Finder preferences window.
Advice
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This is a list of the most popular and used file extensions:
- .doc,.docx: Microsoft Word documents;
- .xls: Microsoft Excel documents;
- .csv: text file used for importing and exporting data in tabular form;
- .ppt: Microsoft PowerPoint documents;
- .pdf: Adobe PDF documents;
- .txt: text file;
- .rtf: formatted text file;
- .jpg,.gif: image files;
- .mp3,.wav: audio files;
- .mp4,.wmv: video files;
- .exe - executable file.
