.TAB File Extension

Typinator Set File

Developer Ergonis Software
Popularity
3.8  |  30 Votes
 

What is a TAB file?

A TAB file is a data file created by Typinator, a typing shortcut program for macOS. It contains a set of typing abbreviations and their associated words added by users. TAB files are referenced by Typinator to insert associated words when abbreviations are typed in documents, web browsers, and other programs on a computer.

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Typinator is a program used to increase users' typing efficiency. It allows users to type shortcuts instead of whole sentences, which is especially helpful when repeatedly typing the same sentence or phrase. Typinator also serves as an AutoCorrection tool for misspellings.

NOTE: TAB files are similar to the more common .TYSET file.

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Programs that open or reference TAB files

MapInfo TAB File

Developer Pitney Bowes Software
Popularity
3.4  |  20 Votes
 

GIS file saved by MapInfo, a desktop mapping program now owned by Pitney Bowes Software; saved using ASCII text and can contain references to spatial data files used for visualization as well as spatial data itself.

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TAB files are commonly used for storing geographical maps containing political boundaries, roads, water features, and other topological objects of interest.

Programs that open TAB files

Tab Separated Data File

Developer N/A
Popularity
3.2  |  17 Votes
 

Text file that contains a table of data in which columns are separated by tabs; can be imported by most spreadsheet programs, which will format the data into cells.

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More often seen with a .TSV extension.

Programs that open TAB files

Windows
Mac
Web
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Android
Chrome OS

Guitar ASCII Tablature File

Developer N/A
Popularity
3.0  |  9 Votes
 

A TAB file may also be a guitar tablature file, which is a plain text file that contains guitar tabs and lyrics in the ASCII tab (TAB) format. Users can create, open, and edit TAB files with a text editor or import them into various guitar tablature applications.

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Screenshot of a .tab file in Microsoft Notepad 11
TAB file open in Microsoft Notepad 11

Guitar tablature is a form of musical notation that includes the finger placement on a guitar for playing a piece. There are many guitar tablature formats, with TAB being one of the most human-readable formats.

TAB files typically include tablature and lyrics and may include symbols to denote various techniques. Some symbol examples include the following:

  • / - Slide up
  • \ - Slide down
  • b - Bend string up
  • v - Vibrato
  • T - Tap
  • S - Shift slide
  • tr - Trill

NOTE: While humans can easily read the TAB format, it is also inconsistent since many people create TAB files by simply typing in tablature in a simple .TXT file. They then change the .txt file extension to .tab.

How to open a TAB file

You can open a TAB file with various guitar tablature applications, most notably, Arobas Music Guitar Pro (multiplatform). To open a TAB file with Guitar Pro, select File → Import → ASCII Tab.

You can also open TAB files with any text editor.

For example, you can open a TAB file with Microsoft Notepad or Microsoft WordPad in Windows. Both of these text editors come bundled with Windows. To open a TAB file with Notepad, select File → Open....

In macOS, you can open a TAB file with Apple TextEdit, which is included with the operating system. To open a TAB file with TextEdit, select File → Open....

How to convert a TAB file

Arobas Music Guitar Pro can convert TAB files to various file types, including the following formats:

  • .GPX - Guitar Pro 6 Document
  • .MIDI - MIDI Music Data
  • .MUSICXML - MusicXML File
  • .PDF - Portable Document Format
  • .MP3 - MP3 Audio
  • .WAV - WAVE Audio
  • .FLAC - Free Lossless Audio Codec
  • .OGG - Ogg Vorbis Audio
  • .AIFF - Audio Interchange File Format

Programs that open TAB files

Windows
Included with OS
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Linux
Chrome OS
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