What Is an FOB File?
A file with the FOB file extension is a Dynamics NAV Object Container file used with Microsoft’s Dynamics NAV software. These are files that reference objects like tables and forms that the program can use. These files might also be referred to as Navision Attain Object files or Financials Object files.
How to Open an FOB File
FOB files can be opened with Dynamics NAV (it was previously called Microsoft Navision). In the development environment, first access the Tools > Object Designer option from the menu, and then File > Import in the new window to select the file. Dynamics NAV has been replaced by Business Central, so the format might still be supported in that software, but we can’t confirm this. Finn’s FobView is a small portable program (it can run without being installed) that can be used to open FOB files as well as to compare two files for differences. It also supports FBK, TXT, and XML files that were created with Dynamics NAV. We’re not entirely sure if this will work, but you might also be able to open FOB files with a text editor so that you can read the text version of the file. Please know, however, that doing this won’t make the file functional like if you were to open it with Microsoft’s program. All you could really do is edit the contents of the file, like maybe any references that it has. Some FOB files may instead be a type of image exported with IBM’s FileNet Content Manager. We’re not sure of the specifics, but we know that some users of that software have had the program export an image with the wrong extension, as FOB, even though it should be BMP, TIFF, or some other format. If this is how you got your file, then renaming it with the proper file extension may be all you need to do to open it with your favorite image viewer.
How to Convert an FOB File
Busines Central should be able to export an open FOB file to a TXT file. This is likely accomplished through its File > Export menu. The Finn’s FobView program mentioned above can export FOB to CSV.
Still Can’t Open It?
If you can’t open your file with the programs mentioned above, check that you aren’t confusing it with another, similarly named extension. Some files use a similar file extension, but it doesn’t necessarily mean the formats are the same or that they can be opened with the same software. For example, consider that your file might be a VOB, FOW (Family Origins), or FXB file, which don’t work with the programs listed above. If you double-check the file extension to find that you don’t really have an FOB file, research the actual file extension to learn which software programs can be used to open or convert it.
