Files with the VCF extension are files electronic business cards vCard. vCard was developed quite a long time ago, in the nineties of the last century. The vCard contains: first name, last name, address, email, birthday, video files, etc. The purpose of the VCF file is to store and share the user's address book.

To open a VCF file on your computer, you can use a standard program - Windows Contacts. VCF files are used by the Outlook program from the software package; it has a Russian-language interface and extensive help.

A very convenient online service for working with VCF files is offered by Google. To do this, you need to log into your account and import the file from your computer. This way, you will have a backup copy of your address book at your disposal. In the future, contacts can be transferred to your other devices: tablets, Cell phones. In any case, contacts will no longer be lost.

What else can you do to open files with the VCF extension on your computer?

This document is a vCard file used to provide contact information. In addition to an additional binary image, VCFs are text documents and show the contact's name, e-mail, physical address, phone number and other data. vCard is an abbreviation for virtual business card and is standard file(.vcf files) for electronic documents. vCards allow you to create and share contact information over the Internet, such as . You can also use vCards to move data from one client or management program personal information to the other if both programs support the extension.

Selecting a program to work with a file with the VCF extension.

Since the VCF format contains data, it is often considered as an export/import document for some contact programs, allowing you to easily share one or more contacts, use the same contacts in different mail programs or services or save backups your address book. The VCF extension on a PC can be opened by a program that allows you to view contact details, but the most common reason to open it is to import an address book into an email client program, such as on the Internet or on a phone and computer.

Programs for working with contacts

How to open VCF on a computer? Some apps have a limit on the number of contacts you can import or open at one time. If you have problems, you can go back to your original address book and export only half or 1/3 of the contacts to the VCF contacts file that opens, and repeat the process until they are all transferred.

Mail clients

IN Microsoft Outlook To open VCF, go to the “People” section by clicking on the corresponding icon of the same name at the bottom of the window. To view a contact, click Business Card in the Current View section of the Home tab. Select a contact by clicking on the name bar at the top of the business card. To export it as a business card, go to the File tab. On the Information about account» Click "Save As" in the list of options on the left. The Save As dialog box opens.

By default, the .vcf designation in the File Name field is the contact's name. Change it if you want, select a location and click Save. To import a vCard or .vcf file into Outlook, simply double-click the .vcf document. Please note that since this contact is new, the full contact editing window will appear rather than the contact card that appears when you double-click.

Organizers

With vCardOrganizer you can manage, edit, print and create new electronic contacts. Using only the VCF format (for example, from Microsoft Outlook and Windows Contacts), the program scans and automatically displays contacts in a list. To edit one of the templates already prepared in the program, simply double-click the person's name. You need to supplement it with information such as name, profession, position in the current company and phone number (possibly even a direct connection to Skype).

Although vCardOrganizer has very interesting functions and interface that make all the work of creating virtual contacts, the test version has too many restrictions. On the other hand, its interface, despite its old-fashioned design, works in an organized and correct manner. The fact that the software takes up little space and works without the need to install anything else is another advantage of the service.

VCF Viewer is a compact application designed to view information from multiple vCard files. They are often used to transfer contact information between programs such as email clients. If you need to extract any detail such as phone number, email address, the software can help you avoid opening or adding each of them to your contact list. Because this portable program, it is important to note that it does not leave traces in Windows registry. You can copy it to any USB drive or other devices and take it with you when you need to open the vCard on another device.

To view the data stored in business cards, you only need to select the folder containing the documents. The program instantly displays the contents of files in the form of a data table, sorted alphabetically by file name. This good tool, if you don't want to add all documents to your contacts list or open them individually. However, it does not have the ability to extract contact information, for example, to add data to the clipboard. So if you need to edit or extract contact information, you should look for another solution.

GMail service

VCF files can also be imported into email clients such as Gmail. On the page " Google Contacts"Find the "Advanced" - "Import..." button and use the "Select file" button to select the required contact. If it contains an image, that part of the file is binary and will not appear in text editor. Information must be fully visible and editable in any program that works with text documents.

Text editors

To open a vcf document in Windows, you can use one of many test editors. Starting with standard Notepad and ending office packages, such as Microsoft Office Word and so on. Windows Notepad is not only a simple text editor, but also a program for viewing contacts. To open a document in the editor, you need to right-click it and select "Open with". In the list of programs, select Notepad and click OK. For comfortable and productive work, it is recommended to use professional text editors, for example, Notepad++. Its advantages:

• many functions;
• ease of operation;
• ability to add your own dictionaries.

Flaws:

• weak external spell check.

Notepad++ is valued primarily by programmers - the editor has the ability to add dictionaries of various programming languages, which greatly facilitates editing source code. Built-in tools allow you to automatically edit character encoding formats and offer fast access to frequently used parameters. In Notepad++ you only need one click to remove unnecessary spaces at the end of a line or change quotes in in the required format. How to view a vcf file on a computer using Notepad++? Launch the program and select “Open” from the “File” menu. Then specify the path to the document and click "Open". The program offers not only viewing, but also editing vcf files.

What else could cause problems with the file?

Built in Windows Notepad may incorrectly display the encoding of characters written in Cyrillic. This is due to the inconsistency Windows encodings and UTF-8, which is used by modern applications for viewing and editing vcf documents. Now you know how to open a file with the .vcf extension. But if, after reading this article, you still have questions, feel free to write them in the comments.

Vcf stands for vCard File - it represents text file to store various information about a contact. Essentially, this is an electronic business card that contains the full name, phone numbers, physical and postal addresses, fax numbers and many other data. The vcf file can be attached as an attachment to email- after receiving this, the recipient can add this information to his database.

Briefly about the VCF format

The vCard format was created by the Versit consortium in 1995, and in 1996 all rights to the format were transferred to the Internet Mail Consortium.

With the help of these files it is very convenient to exchange electronic business cards, for which they are used various devices with address books where special applications must be installed.

How to open a VCF file

IN Windows file vcf can be opened with:

• Windows Contacts;
• Microsoft Outlook Express;
• Fonlow IT Open Contacts;
• Palm Desktop;
• and etc.

Also this format file is widely used in the corporate segment of programs related to mail and exchange instant messages– OpenFire, Mozilla Thunderbird, etc. All of these programs can often obtain contact data from other sources ( Active Directory, OpenLDAP, etc., and compare them with the fields of vcf files).

On Mac OS X, you can open vcf using the Address Book application. Also, the VCF format supports most modern mobile devices, regardless of their platform.

How to open VCF file on Android and iPhone

On the Android platform, you can open the vcf file using free program Contacts VCF, which allows you to work with such files in the form of a convenient phone book. Thus, you can not only add and edit existing contacts, but also make calls, print contacts, forward them and save them using the export functions.

For example, in Google Android these files, which are located in the System/PIM folder on the SD card, look like PIM00001.vcf.

On the iPad and iPhone there is a Contacts application into which you can download vCards.

In addition, vcf files can be transferred from one mobile device to another, and their OS may be different. For example, you need to transfer vcf files from NOKIA to Samsung. To do this on the map Samsung smartphone you need to put all vcf files in a separate folder. After this, you need to go to “Contacts” and select “Import files from SD card” in the options.

Please note that there may be an issue with displaying contacts' birthdates. In Nokia they are displayed as BDAY:YYYYMMDD, and in Samsung as BDAY:YYYY-MM-DD. What to do?

First you need to open the vcf file in any text editor and bring the dates of birth to the desired form, and then download it to the SD card.

So, in short, here is everything about how to open vcf files and use them on your devices.

What is a vcf file and how can it be opened on a computer? Many users may discover such a file by accident, while others create it intentionally to store information.

But in both of these cases the file you may need to open it to view the information stored in it.

Definition

What is this file, where can it be found, and what is it for? This format has the data of a saved contact recorded in a smartphone or telephone.

Information (contacts) in this format can be found in the memory of a smartphone, tablet, and even a PC (if devices were synchronized or data was transferred).

Where does this file come from? It appears after updating the phone's firmware and contains all the data from the device’s phone book.

This file is created by the user independently (the operating system does not create it automatically, for example, during failures).

It may be subject to export, import from and to the system, viewing, etc. Thus, it is necessary for fast and accurate

Sometimes this method can even open files created on other devices (with a different operating system).

In order to use this method, do the following:

1 Sign in to Google mail;

3 In the drop-down list, go to the section Contacts;

4 In the left list that will open after updating the window, click on the button More;

5 In the expanded list, find the item Import;

6 In the pop-up window, specify Import from CSV file;

7 In the updated window, find the button Go To previous version contacts and click on it;

The table below shows the comparative characteristics of programs and applications for working with vcf format files.

Based on them, one can draw a conclusion about which application to use will be optimal in each specific case.

<Рис. 14 Выбор программы>

Table 1. Comparative characteristics of programs for opening the vcf format

Program	Download	Preservation	Cyrillic display	Multifunctionality	Additional functions
The address book	Not required	Forcibly	No	Any files of this format	No
Outlook	Not required	Automatically	Yes, correct	Any files of this format	Exchange of emails
Nokia Suite	Requires installation from phone	Automatic or forced	Yes, correct	Only files that were created on devices manufactured by Nokia and its subsidiaries	Synchronization, transfer and copying of data and much more
Gmail	Not required	Automatically	Yes, correct	Relative (some files not created on the Android system open)	Email and some other services from Google

The choice of the appropriate program depends on the needs and capabilities at a particular moment, as well as on the type of files.

When contacts are transferred from one smartphone to another device, users are interested in the function of exporting the phone book in the form of a special file. The data from this file can be easily transferred to almost any device when the need arises. This is the vCard format - in which such information is stored. Accordingly, the extension will be designated as VCF. You can call this file a kind of catalog with electronic business cards of certain subscribers.

Brief information about the format

The year of creation of this extension is 1995. The Internet Mail Consortium accepted all rights associated with this format a year later. The appearance of the format simplified the exchange process electronic cards. For this purpose they are used different devices, supporting address books, on which specialized software is installed.

How does the VCF format open?

To open VCF on a computer with an operating system Windows system 7, 8, 10 can be used following tools:

1. Text editors.
2. Fonlow IT Open Contacts.
3. Microsoft Outlook Express.
4. Windows Contacts.

Representatives of the corporate sector have long noted the advantages of the VCF format, which is why it has become so popular. Preference is given to programs related to mail and messaging. Examples – Mozilla ThunderBird, OpenFire, and so on. Programs can also receive data about contacts from additional sources.

The Address Book application allows you to open VCF in the case of Mac OS. Most modern mobile devices also support such files; the platform does not matter.

This program applies to email clients.

• fast and easy recognizes spam;
• filters incoming messages using various parameters;
• automatically creates a signature for each letter;
• reply messages can be sent directly from the program;
• receiving letters immediately from several boxes simultaneously;
• notifications New emails arrive automatically, immediately. It makes it easier to respond to various events occurring on the Internet;
• old and new letters stored on the computer, they can be accessed at any time.

The program applies to free of charge. It is recommended to use the official website to download and install the client. Installation also occurs with virtually no user intervention.

A short guide to opening a VCF involves going through the following steps:

The program was created for easy and fast data transfer and firmware update of mobile devices.

Can be used to implement several functions:

Using the program is as simple as possible:

Contacts, address book in Windows

Refers to basic programs, which preinstalled in the system starting with Windows 8. One of the main advantages is that the application does not require a lot of free space. There is no need to download or install either.

The following steps must be taken to view the information contained in the VCF:

People app in Windows 10

People app preinstalled on Windows 8, 10, in addition to data exchange, it has a wide range of functions:

Vcard files on the computer are opened in the same way as in the previous case:

1. Looking for a file extension of interest.
2. Click on the icon with the right mouse button.
3. Selecting a program, with the help of which further work is carried out.

Notebook

This application is available on any computer with the Windows operating system. Instructions for use will be as follows:

There are no tools in the notepad itself to decipher the codes. But more advanced applications have them. This is, for example, or Word. In Notepad++, decryption assumes the following order of navigation: menu items:

1. Plugins.
2. MIME Tools.
3. Quoted - printable Decode.

After this, the symbols will again be displayed in Russian.

Gmail

This is a standard online service for working with by email, with the ability to open VCF online from Google. Using Gmail requires following these instructions:

A program for viewing contacts from your phone on your computer. One of mail clients, designed specifically for operating systems Windows.

Supported features include:

1. Instant messaging.
2. Tasks.
3. Contacts.
4. Calendar.

Program supports backup data and restore settings if necessary. It will not be difficult to import data from other applications. Export is also supported for email.

You should follow the instructions:

• download program;
• we carry out installation;
• press on required file right mouse button.
• choose, with what to open.

Users can choose different themes that make appearance very diverse. Advanced search makes it easier to highlight specific points.

Microsoft Outlook

1. Click on the file with VCF contacts right mouse button.
2. Choose to open with- Outlook.

But in most cases the information will again be incorrectly encoded. To decrypt, you will have to turn to advanced text editors.

A proprietary application developed by Nokia. Recommended for downloading the program visit official page Microsoft. After installation, the user needs to complete the following steps:

• click on contact icon;
• go to the tab " file»;
• choose import function;

All you have to do is select the element you are interested in and confirm your consent.

Facilitates contact tracing, monitoring important information. has all the functionality typical of standard address books. We adhere to the following instructions:

1. Download.
2. Installation.
3. Pressing on the file by right-clicking.
4. Selecting a function " to open with».

Or the file is opened in the program itself, by import contacts.

VCF file editors

VCF files allow you to share user data across different devices. In principle, this information can be opened and edited in any program that initially works with text files.

First of all, it is highly valued by programmers because it is used syntax highlighting. The advantages include the following:

• addition own dictionaries;
• simple exploitation;
• multifunctionality.

One of the few drawbacks is the weak spellchecking.

The instructions will be like this:

A small application pre-installed on Palm OS, but requiring installation on other operating systems.

Suitable for one-time use. There are two ways to open business cards:

1. Drag and drop the required file into the program window.
2. Open the contact and select which group it will be added to.

The second method is also simple:

• go to the tab Address;
• select menu File;
• follow to the point Import;
• The file search menu will open;
• change the extension to VCF;
• we find contact.

Most other programs only allow you to view the content without changing it.