What is a TAB File?

A TAB file is a geospatial vector data format developed by Mapinfo, and is intended for geographic information system (GIS) software. This format links all other files (.DAT, .IND, .MAP and .ID) together, and turns them into a map. TAB files are most often used in GIS software such as Arcgis, QGIS, Mapinfo or Tableau Software.

Specifications

A complete Mapinfo dataset contains files with mandatory attribute data, as well as optional data intended for the addition of vector features to the map. The mandatory files include:

• TAB file (.tab) - the file linking all others into one dataset;
• Data file (.dat) - the file which stores attribute data. This file can also be a text file (.txt), Excel (.xls), WK file (.wk) or a Microsoft Access Database (.mdb);
• Index file (.ind) - an optional file for tabular data.

The following files are needed to create a map from your data:

• MAP file (.map) - the file that stores the graphic and geographic information necessary for displaying each feature on the map;
• ID file (.id) - the file linking the graphical data to the database information.

What software opens a Mapinfo TAB file?

• Mapinfo
• Arcgis
• QGIS
• Tableau Software

Do you want to import a TAB file into Spotzi Mapbuilder?
Unfortunately, Spotzi Enterprise doesn't support TAB formats. You can, however, still import your data by first converting your TAB into a shapefile. Please read our article on converting a Mapinfo TAB file into a shapefile.

Associated filename extensions

• .tab
• .dat
• .ind
• .map
• .id
• .txt
• .xls
• .wk
• .mdb