There are 3 file types use the .TAB file extension:
1. MapInfo TAB File
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.
TAB files are commonly used for storing geographical maps containing political boundaries, roads, water features, and other topological objects of interest.
| Software's name | License | Platforms |
|---|---|---|
ESRI ArcGIS for Desktop |
Commercial |  |
GDAL |
Open Source |   |
Golden Software Didger |
Free Trial | |
Golden Software Surfer |
Commercial | |
Pitney Bowes MapInfo |
Paid | |
Updated: March 23, 2012
2. Guitar Tablature File
- Developer N/A
-
Popularity
3.5 (10 votes)
- Category Text Files
- Format Text
Text file containing song lyrics and guitar tabs; typically a standard text file, but has the TAB extension to indicate it contains guitar tabs.
| Software's name | License | Platforms |
|---|---|---|
Any text editor |
    |
Updated: May 1, 2013
3. Tab Separated Data File
- Developer N/A
-
Popularity
3.5 (14 votes)
- Category Text Files
- Format Text
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.
More often seen with a .TSV extension.
| Software's name | License | Platforms |
|---|---|---|
|
Any text editor |
|
|
Google Sheets |
Freeware |  |
Microsoft Excel |
Commercial | |
Updated: January 23, 2009