Difference between revisions of "Edit a Dat File"
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| − | A DAT file is a generic file that can have nearly any kind of content in it. If you open a DAT file in the program used to create it, it will open properly, but it can be hard to know what that program is. The file extension .dat is short for data. The .dat file is used by Minecraft to track user and level data. A program called NBTExplorer is recommended for editing Minecraft DAT files.<ref>https://github.com/jaquadro/NBTExplorer</ref> By editing a Minecraft DAT file, you can modify the game content. [[Use NBTexplorer to Edit Minecraft Saves|Click here]] for a wikiHow article on editing Minecraft DAT files. You can open a DAT file using any text editor, but if the file is in a non-text format, it will look like nonsense. This is especially true of DAT files related to video files.<ref>http://www.openthefile.net/extension/dat</ref> Sometimes, DAT files a generated by Outlook email messages sent with rich text formatting, like bolding or italics. The Outlook DAT files are used to store the rich text formatting data and are unusable otherwise.<ref>http://support.microsoft.com/kb/278061</ref> | + | A DAT file is a generic file that can have nearly any kind of content in it. If you open a DAT file in the program used to create it, it will open properly, but it can be hard to know what that program is. The file extension .dat is short for data. The .dat file is used by Minecraft to track user and level data. A program called NBTExplorer is recommended for editing Minecraft DAT files.<ref name="rf1">https://github.com/jaquadro/NBTExplorer</ref> By editing a Minecraft DAT file, you can modify the game content. [[Use NBTexplorer to Edit Minecraft Saves|Click here]] for a wikiHow article on editing Minecraft DAT files. You can open a DAT file using any text editor, but if the file is in a non-text format, it will look like nonsense. This is especially true of DAT files related to video files.<ref name="rf2">http://www.openthefile.net/extension/dat</ref> Sometimes, DAT files a generated by Outlook email messages sent with rich text formatting, like bolding or italics. The Outlook DAT files are used to store the rich text formatting data and are unusable otherwise.<ref name="rf3">http://support.microsoft.com/kb/278061</ref> |
[[Category:File Manipulation]] | [[Category:File Manipulation]] | ||
| − | [[Category:System Maintenance and Repair]] | + | [[Category: System Maintenance and Repair]] |
==Steps== | ==Steps== | ||
===Opening and Editing a DAT File=== | ===Opening and Editing a DAT File=== | ||
#Open the DAT file using a text editor. You can use the text editor that comes with your computer, such as Microsoft's Notepad or OS X's TextEdit. | #Open the DAT file using a text editor. You can use the text editor that comes with your computer, such as Microsoft's Notepad or OS X's TextEdit. | ||
| − | #Look for clues about the file's origin. Sometimes, even if it's filled with unreadable characters, a DAT file will include some text that provides clues as to what type of file it is.<ref>http://www.online-tech-tips.com/computer-tips/how-to-open-dat-files/</ref> | + | #Look for clues about the file's origin. Sometimes, even if it's filled with unreadable characters, a DAT file will include some text that provides clues as to what type of file it is.<ref name="rf4">http://www.online-tech-tips.com/computer-tips/how-to-open-dat-files/</ref> |
#* For example, if you suspect a DAT file is actually a video file, you can try to open it in a video player. | #* For example, if you suspect a DAT file is actually a video file, you can try to open it in a video player. | ||
#* If you edit a DAT file with unreadable characters and then save it, it will break the DAT file, making it unusable even if you opened it in the correct program. | #* If you edit a DAT file with unreadable characters and then save it, it will break the DAT file, making it unusable even if you opened it in the correct program. | ||
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===Changing the DAT File Extension in Windows=== | ===Changing the DAT File Extension in Windows=== | ||
#Make sure file extensions are visible. Before you can edit a file extension in Windows, you'll need to make sure file extensions visible. Open Windows Explorer. Go to a folder with files. If the file names are followed by a period (.) and three or more characters, then file extensions are visible. If not, then [[#visible|click here]] for instructions on making file extensions visible. | #Make sure file extensions are visible. Before you can edit a file extension in Windows, you'll need to make sure file extensions visible. Open Windows Explorer. Go to a folder with files. If the file names are followed by a period (.) and three or more characters, then file extensions are visible. If not, then [[#visible|click here]] for instructions on making file extensions visible. | ||
| − | #Rename a file extension. Find the file with the extension you want to change. Right-click the file you want to change, and then click Rename. Edit the file extension, and then press {{button|Enter}}. In the dialog box, click {{button|Yes}} to complete the edit.<ref>http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/file-names-extensions-faq#1TC=windows-7</ref> | + | #Rename a file extension. Find the file with the extension you want to change. Right-click the file you want to change, and then click Rename. Edit the file extension, and then press {{button|Enter}}. In the dialog box, click {{button|Yes}} to complete the edit.<ref name="rf5">http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/file-names-extensions-faq#1TC=windows-7</ref> |
#* If you're not sure what file extension to use, [[#extensions|click here]] for some common file extensions. | #* If you're not sure what file extension to use, [[#extensions|click here]] for some common file extensions. | ||
===Changing the DAT File Extension in Mac OS X=== | ===Changing the DAT File Extension in Mac OS X=== | ||
#Make sure file extensions are visible. Before you can edit a file extension in Windows, you'll need to make sure file extensions visible. Open Windows Explorer. Go to a folder with files. If the file names are followed by a period (.) and three or more characters, then file extensions are visible. If not, then [[#macvisible|click here]] for instructions on making file extensions visible. | #Make sure file extensions are visible. Before you can edit a file extension in Windows, you'll need to make sure file extensions visible. Open Windows Explorer. Go to a folder with files. If the file names are followed by a period (.) and three or more characters, then file extensions are visible. If not, then [[#macvisible|click here]] for instructions on making file extensions visible. | ||
| − | #Rename a file extension. Find the file with the extension you want to change. Right-click the file, and then click Get Info. In the File Info window, in the Name & Extension field, edit the file's extension. When you're done, close the window. In the dialog box, click {{button|Keep}} for the file extension you'd like to use.<ref>http://support.apple.com/kb/PH13920</ref><span id="visible"></span> | + | #Rename a file extension. Find the file with the extension you want to change. Right-click the file, and then click Get Info. In the File Info window, in the Name & Extension field, edit the file's extension. When you're done, close the window. In the dialog box, click {{button|Keep}} for the file extension you'd like to use.<ref name="rf6">http://support.apple.com/kb/PH13920</ref><span id="visible"></span> |
===Making File Extensions Visible in Windows=== | ===Making File Extensions Visible in Windows=== | ||
#Open the Control Panel. Click {{button|Start}}, and then click Control Panel. In the Control Panel, click Appearance and Personality. | #Open the Control Panel. Click {{button|Start}}, and then click Control Panel. In the Control Panel, click Appearance and Personality. | ||
| − | #Make file extensions visible. Click Folder Options. Click the View tab, and then, under Advanced settings, uncheck Hide extensions for known file types.<ref>http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/show-hide-file-name-extensions#show-hide-file-name-extensions=windows-7</ref> | + | #Make file extensions visible. Click Folder Options. Click the View tab, and then, under Advanced settings, uncheck Hide extensions for known file types.<ref name="rf7">http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/show-hide-file-name-extensions#show-hide-file-name-extensions=windows-7</ref> |
#Make extensions visible on Windows 8. Open Windows Explorer, and then click the View tab. Click {{button|Options}}, and then click {{button|Change folder and search options}}. Under Advanced settings, scroll down and uncheck Hide extensions for known file types. Click {{button|Apply}}.<span id="macvisible"></span> | #Make extensions visible on Windows 8. Open Windows Explorer, and then click the View tab. Click {{button|Options}}, and then click {{button|Change folder and search options}}. Under Advanced settings, scroll down and uncheck Hide extensions for known file types. Click {{button|Apply}}.<span id="macvisible"></span> | ||
===Making File Extensions Visible in Mac OS X=== | ===Making File Extensions Visible in Mac OS X=== | ||
#Open the Finder preferences. Open the Finder. Click the Finder menu, and then click Preferences. | #Open the Finder preferences. Open the Finder. Click the Finder menu, and then click Preferences. | ||
| − | #Make extensions visible. Click the Advanced tab. Check Show all filename extensions. Close Finder Preferences.<ref | + | #Make extensions visible. Click the Advanced tab. Check Show all filename extensions. Close Finder Preferences.<ref name="rf6" /><span id="extensions"></span> |
==Tips== | ==Tips== | ||
*Here's a list of some common file extensions: | *Here's a list of some common file extensions: | ||
