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DIF File - What is a .dif file and how do I open it?
Learn about .DIF files and view a list of programs that open them.
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Overview
What is a DIF file? A DIF file is a spreadsheet supported by spreadsheet software such as Microsoft Excel and Access and Apache OpenOffice Calc. It contains spreadsheet data exported from a program. DIF files are stored in ASCII text, which means they can be viewed and edited with a text editor.
More Information DIF file open in Microsoft Excel 2016 DIF stands for data interchange format and is a standardized spreadsheet export format that is widely supported. The purpose of DIF files is to allow users to export data from a spreadsheet in a format that can be imported by a variety of programs. One limitation of the format is that it does not support multiple spreadsheets. This means that the DIF file can only store one spreadsheet. Therefore, if you need to export multiple spreadsheets in the DIF format you will need to create multiple DIF files.
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DeveloperTorquePowered.com
Popularity2.3 | 6 Votes
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In-Depth
.DIF File Extension
4 file types use the .dif file extension.
Data Interchange Format
| Developer | Microsoft |
| Popularity |
3.9 | 36 Votes |
What is a DIF file?
A DIF file is a spreadsheet supported by spreadsheet software such as Microsoft Excel and Access and Apache OpenOffice Calc. It contains spreadsheet data exported from a program. DIF files are stored in ASCII text, which means they can be viewed and edited with a text editor.
More Information
DIF file open in Microsoft Excel 2016
DIF stands for data interchange format and is a standardized spreadsheet export format that is widely supported. The purpose of DIF files is to allow users to export data from a spreadsheet in a format that can be imported by a variety of programs.
One limitation of the format is that it does not support multiple spreadsheets. This means that the DIF file can only store one spreadsheet. Therefore, if you need to export multiple spreadsheets in the DIF format you will need to create multiple DIF files.
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Programs that open DIF files
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Program Name
Platform
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X
Windows
Microsoft Excel 365
Free Trial
Microsoft Access 365
Free Trial
Corel WordPerfect 2021
Free Trial
SAS Institute SAS
Free Trial
OpenOffice Calc
Free
Microsoft Notepad
Included with OS
Any text editor
Mac
Microsoft Excel 365
Free Trial
Planamesa NeoOffice
—
Discontinued
Paid
SAS Institute SAS
Free Trial
OpenOffice Calc
Free
Any text editor
Linux
OpenOffice Calc
Free
Gnumeric
Free
Any text editor
Category: Data Files
Updated: February 8, 2017
Digital Interface Format
| Developer | N/A |
| Popularity |
2.6 | 9 Votes |
A DIF file may also be a raw digital video file that stores video data in the Digital Interface Format (DIF), which is similar to the Digital Video ( .DV ) format. It contains high-quality video captured by a video source, typically a video camera. The most common users of DIF files are professional and advanced amateur video editors who use the now-discontinued Pinnacle Liquid Edition video editing software.
More Information
While DIF files store raw digital video, they still use the DV (Digital Video) compression standard to encode the video data. Since DIF files store high-quality video without much compression, they occupy significant storage space (DV files use higher compression to make their sizes more manageable for casual users).
DIF files were prominent in the early 2000s, mainly for broadcasts, but became obscure after Avid Technology acquired Pinnacle Liquid Edition and rebranded it, eventually discontinuing it in 2010. Also, other video formats, such as .MP4 and .MOV , overtook the DIF format due to their smaller file sizes and broader compatibility.
How to open a DIF file
You can open DIF files with various video players, including Corel Pinnacle Studio and Apple QuickTime Player . To open a DIF file with QuickTime Player, select File → Open File .
Programs that open DIF files
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Corel Pinnacle Studio
Free Trial
Pinnacle Systems Liquid Edition
—
Discontinued
Paid
Mac
Apple QuickTime Player
Included with OS
Apple iMovie 10
Free
Category: Video Files
Updated: March 5, 2025
MAME CHD Diff File
| Developer | The MAME Team |
| Popularity |
2.7 | 7 Votes |
File created by MAME arcade game emulators; contains data saved by the emulated game; saves differential data instead of trying to alter the original .CHD game disk image; allows the game to be played without modifying or corrupting the original arcade game data.
More Information
When a DIF file is written, MAME subsequently redirects all requests for the "Diff" data to the DIF file instead of the CHD file.
Programs that open or reference DIF files
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Windows
MAME
Free
ExtraMAME
Free Trial
Mac
MacMAME
MAME OS X
Free
Category: Game Files
Updated: November 16, 2010
Torque Game Engine Model File
| Developer | TorquePowered.com |
| Popularity |
2.3 | 6 Votes |
3D model used by the Torque Game Engine, which is used to develop console, PC, and mobile platform video games; contains the 3D geometry, lighting, and other information for the game model; often used for displaying buildings in the game.
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NOTE: Torque Game Engine was replaced by Torque3D.
Programs that open or reference DIF files
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Torque3D
Free
Torque Constructor
—
Discontinued
Free
Category: 3D Image Files
Updated: December 3, 2010