231

.231 — Microsoft Visual FoxPro Form File

Microsoft · 1995

Developer
Microsoft
Category
Database
MIME Type
application/vnd.ms-foxpro.form
First Released
1995
Open Format
No
File Signature
Not applicable or publicly known for this format.
At a Glance
.231
Microsoft Visual FoxPro Form File

A .231 file is a form design file used by Microsoft Visual FoxPro for creating application user interfaces.

Reviewed on May 6, 2026
Compression
Binary
Transparency
N/A
Editability
Low (requires Visual FoxPro)
Best for
Visual FoxPro UI design

Key Features

  • Stores visual form layout and design.
  • Defines user interface elements and their properties.
  • Contains event handling code snippets.
  • Proprietary format used exclusively by Visual FoxPro.

Best For

  • Defining the UI for Visual FoxPro applications.
  • Creating interactive forms for database interaction.
  • Structuring application workflows visually.

Less Ideal For

  • Storing actual database data.
  • General-purpose form creation outside Visual FoxPro.
  • Cross-platform application development.
  • Web-based user interfaces.

Common Use Cases

  • Designing data entry forms.
  • Creating report generation interfaces.
  • Building navigation menus.
  • Developing custom application interfaces.

How to Open It

  1. Open the file within Microsoft Visual FoxPro development environment.
  2. Ensure you have a compatible version of Visual FoxPro installed.
  3. If running a compiled application, the .231 form will be loaded automatically by the application's executable.

What is a .231 file?

A .231 file is a form file created by Microsoft Visual FoxPro, a database management system. These files store the design and layout of user interfaces for applications built with Visual FoxPro. They define the appearance and behavior of controls like text boxes, buttons, and grids displayed to the user. While not containing the actual data, .231 files are essential components for Visual FoxPro applications, dictating how users interact with the database. They are proprietary to Visual FoxPro and not easily opened or edited by other general-purpose software.

Programs That Open .231 Files

PlatformProgram
WindowsMicrosoft Visual FoxProPaidOfficial

Common Problems with .231 Files

⚠️ Cannot open .231 file without Visual FoxPro.
You need to install Microsoft Visual FoxPro or have access to an application built with it.
⚠️ Form appears corrupted or does not load correctly.
Ensure the .231 file is not damaged and is compatible with your Visual FoxPro version. Check for associated .prg or .vfp files it may depend on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit a .231 file with a text editor?▼

No, .231 files are binary files and are not human-readable or editable with standard text editors. You need Microsoft Visual FoxPro.

Does a .231 file contain my database data?▼

No, the .231 file is a form definition. It dictates the user interface but does not store the actual data. Data is typically stored in separate .dbf files or a database container.

Can I use .231 forms in other Microsoft applications like Access?▼

No, .231 forms are exclusive to Microsoft Visual FoxPro and cannot be directly used or imported into other database applications.

Technical Details

The .231 format is a binary file containing serialized object data that defines the visual elements and event handlers for a form within Visual FoxPro. It references data tables and logic defined elsewhere in the application. The file structure is specific to Visual FoxPro and is not publicly documented.

Did You Know?

Visual FoxPro was one of the last major xBase database systems.
Many legacy business applications still rely on Visual FoxPro for their core functionality.

Security Information

As with any executable or application-specific file, exercise caution when opening .231 files from unknown or untrusted sources, as they are part of an application and could potentially be linked to malicious code within the Visual FoxPro project.