.bdc — Binary Data Container
Microsoft · 1997
A .bdc file is a proprietary binary container used by Microsoft PowerPivot for Excel to store and manage large, optimized datasets for faster analysis.
Key Features
- Stores large datasets efficiently within Excel.
- Optimized for in-memory data analysis and calculations.
- Proprietary binary format for performance.
- Used exclusively by Microsoft PowerPivot add-in.
Best For
- Users who need to analyze very large datasets directly within Excel.
- Creating high-performance, data-intensive reports using Excel and PowerPivot.
- When data integrity and optimized query performance are paramount.
Less Ideal For
- General data storage or sharing outside the PowerPivot ecosystem.
- Direct editing or manual modification of data content.
- Interoperability with non-Microsoft BI tools without specific connectors.
- Archiving data if future compatibility with older Excel versions is a concern.
Common Use Cases
- Storing data models for Excel-based business intelligence reports.
- Enabling fast data manipulation and analysis of large tables within Excel.
- Facilitating complex calculations and aggregations on imported data.
- Managing data from various sources integrated through PowerPivot.
How to Open It
- Ensure Microsoft Excel with the PowerPivot add-in is installed.
- Open the Excel workbook containing the .bdc data.
- Access the data model through the PowerPivot window from the 'PowerPivot' tab in Excel.
- Directly opening a .bdc file is not possible; it must be embedded within an Excel workbook.
What is a .bdc file?
The .bdc file extension is primarily associated with Microsoft's PowerPivot add-in for Excel. It serves as a proprietary binary container designed to store and manage large datasets efficiently within Excel workbooks. These files are not intended for direct user editing or interaction but are crucial for the PowerPivot engine to perform complex data analysis and calculations. Essentially, a .bdc file holds the optimized, in-memory data model generated by PowerPivot, enabling faster query execution and improved performance for data-driven Excel reports.
Programs That Open .bdc Files
| Platform | Program | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows | Microsoft Excel with PowerPivot Add-in | Free | Official |
How to Convert .bdc Files
| Format | Method |
|---|---|
| .CSV | Export from PowerPivot window, Copy and paste into Excel sheet |
| .XLSX | Save the Excel workbook containing the BDC data |
Common Problems with .bdc Files
Frequently Asked Questions
PowerPivot is a free Excel add-in from Microsoft that allows users to create highly efficient data models and perform sophisticated data analysis with large datasets directly within Excel.
No, .bdc files are proprietary binary containers and are not human-readable or editable with standard text editors.
While both Power BI and PowerPivot use similar data modeling technology (VertiPaq engine), the .bdc format is specific to PowerPivot within Excel. Power BI uses its own internal storage formats.
Technical Details
The BDC format is a highly compressed binary structure that stores data in a columnar format, optimized for in-memory processing. It leverages DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) and the VertiPaq engine for efficient data retrieval and calculations. This format is not human-readable and requires the PowerPivot environment to access its contents.