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SwissSys UsageUser GuideRegistrationLegacy Database Formats

Legacy Database Formats

SwissSys maintains full backwards compatibility with all legacy database formats. Any database file that worked before will continue to work. For new setups, use the new binary format (.rbin.gz) for significantly faster performance.

Recommendation: The new binary format (.rbin.gz) available through the Database Wizard provides the fastest performance while maintaining full compatibility with existing files. See Downloading USCF Database, Downloading CFC Database, or Downloading FIDE Database.

Finding the field grid (Expert mode): When you first open Database > Database setup… with no file selected (or with a .rbin.gz binary file), SwissSys shows the streamlined profile view and hides the field-mapping grid. The grid is behind the Expert: override individual field mappings / index files checkbox - tick it to reveal the field boxes, the Display field list… button, and the index-file boxes. Once you Browse to a legacy file (.dbf, .csv, .txt, .xls, .xlsx, .mdb, .mde), SwissSys flips to the legacy layout and shows the field grid automatically, so the Expert checkbox is only needed when the grid is not already visible.

Supported Legacy Formats

FormatExtensionCommon Use
dBase.dbfOlder USCF databases (TARSFLE, TARatSup)
Text.txt, .tsvUSCF joint lists, exports
CSV.csvCFC databases, custom exports
Access.mdb, .mdeCFC databases, custom databases
Excel.xls, .xlsxCustom player lists

dBase Files (.dbf)

Loading dBase Files

Open Database Wizard

Go to Database > Database wizard…

Select Database Type

Click USCF (or appropriate federation).

Decline Download

Click No when asked to download.

Browse to File

Select your .dbf file.

Handle Filename Length

If filename is longer than 8 characters, allow SwissSys to rename it automatically.

8.3 Format: dBase files have an 8-character filename limit. SwissSys handles this automatically.

Apply Defaults

When prompted, click Yes to apply suggested defaults (USCF or Golden pattern).

Create Indexes

If prompted about index files, click Yes to create them.

Reveal the Field Grid (if hidden)

If you opened Database setup… directly instead of through the Wizard and the field-mapping grid (with the Name index file and I.D. index file boxes) is not showing, tick Expert: override individual field mappings / index files to reveal it. After you Browse to a .dbf file the grid appears on its own.

Index Files Required

dBase files need two index files for searching:

  • Name index: Enables search by name
  • ID index: Enables search by ID

SwissSys creates these automatically when you set up the database.

CSV and Text Files (.csv, .tsv, .txt)

CSV and tab/text-delimited files are supported as live supplemental databases. SwissSys handles three flavors:

  • Generic CSV/TSV with a header row – your own custom format. SwissSys reads row 1 as headers and you map columns to SwissSys fields.
  • FIDE fixed-column text (players_list_foa.txt) – auto-detected by column structure; fields are locked to the published FIDE layout.
  • USCF Joint and CFC CSV – preset defaults available via Choose Defaults.

Loading a CSV/Text File

Use Database Setup

Go to Database > Database setup… (the Database Wizard handles official USCF/CFC/FIDE files; use Setup for custom CSVs).

Browse to File

Click Browse and select your .csv, .tsv, or .txt file. SwissSys switches to the legacy field-mapping layout and shows the field grid automatically.

Reveal the Field Grid (if hidden)

If the field boxes and the Display field list… button are not visible (for example, you opened the dialog with no file selected), tick Expert: override individual field mappings / index files to reveal them.

Apply a Preset (optional)

If your file matches a known format, click Choose Defaults and pick USCF Joint, CFC, or FIDE to fill the field boxes for you.

Map Fields

For custom CSV files, click Display field list… to see the headers found in your file, then drag each header to the matching SwissSys field (Name, ID, Rating, etc.).

Save Configuration

Click OK – Apply to save.

FIDE preset locks the fields: Choosing the FIDE preset for a text file locks the field boxes (“Field names for text format files cannot be changed”), because FIDE uses fixed column positions rather than headers. Clear or change the preset to edit fields again.

See Database Setup for the full field list.

Microsoft Access (.mdb, .mde)

Driver Requirements

Required: Microsoft Access Database Engine must be installed to use .mdb or .mde files.

Download from: Microsoft Access Database Engine 

Loading Access Files

Open Database Wizard

Go to Database > Database wizard…

Select CFC

Click CFC (or use Database Setup for custom Access files).

Decline Download

Click No when asked to download.

Browse to File

Select your .mdb or .mde file.

Apply Defaults

When prompted, click Yes to apply suggested defaults.

Reveal the Field Grid (if hidden)

For a custom Access file opened through Database setup…, tick Expert: override individual field mappings / index files if the field grid is not already showing, then map the columns. After you Browse to the .mdb or .mde file the grid normally appears on its own.

Excel Files (.xls, .xlsx)

Excel files are read and written natively by SwissSys — no Microsoft Office, ACE driver, or ODBC setup is required. Both the legacy .xls (Excel 97-2003) and modern .xlsx (Excel 2007+) formats are fully supported.

File Layout Expected

  • Player data lives on the first worksheet of the workbook.
  • Row 1 holds column headers (e.g. Name, ID, Rating).
  • Data rows start on row 2. Blank rows are skipped automatically.

Loading Excel Files

Use Database Setup

Go to Database > Database setup…

Browse to File

Click Browse and select your .xls or .xlsx file. SwissSys detects the format from the extension and shows the legacy field-mapping grid.

Reveal the Field Grid (if hidden)

If the field boxes and the Display field list… button are not visible (for example, the dialog opened with no file selected), tick Expert: override individual field mappings / index files to reveal them.

Map Fields

Click Display field list… to see the actual column headers from row 1, then drag each header to the matching SwissSys field (Name, ID, Rating, etc.). See Database Setup for the full field list.

Save Configuration

Click OK – Apply to save.

Writing Back to Excel

If your Excel file is the active database, Database > Create/update database will write the currently registered players back into the same .xls or .xlsx file (preserving the original extension). See Create or Update a Custom Database.

Troubleshooting Legacy Formats

”Missing index files” (dBase)

Solution: Go to Database > Create index to generate index files.

”Cannot open Access database”

Solution: Install Microsoft Access Database Engine .

Database loads but searches don’t work

Solution: Verify field mappings in Database > Database setup… and ensure Name and ID fields are correctly mapped.

See Also

Downloading FIDE DatabaseEstimated and Provisional Ratings
See something that needs updating? .