How to interpret and modify a dBase (.dbf) file? I'm working with dBASE (.dbf) files for a project using a GIS software because it seems that they are more efficient. I've converted several .xml files to .dbf with OpenOffice 3.4 and loaded into the GIS however in some columns, the fields that appeared with different numbers in Open Office, turn to a series of one (1) in the GIS attribute table.  

This is an example of my first row of one element:

Na,N,6,2


I think that changing the first row of every columns of my .dbf file I can set up the properties.

First question:

I would like to know what does it means every character. I know that the first (e.g. Na) is the name of the field, N is probably the type? Number? I've no idea about the third and the forth (red and blue arrows).

Second question:

Why if I write Na when I load the file it become NA, with capitalized letters?



Thanks a lot!
Do NOT directly manipulate the .dbf-files. There is an ODBC driver that does all the low-level work for you. Save yourself the headaches.