Free online GDB to CSV converter

What the GDB format is

.gdb is an ambiguous extension. The two common formats are:

• Esri file geodatabase: a directory containing feature classes, tables, indexes, domains, subtypes, relationship information, and other GIS data. ArcGIS Pro creates and manages it; QGIS and GDAL can usually read it.
• Garmin MapSource database: a single file containing Garmin waypoints, routes, and tracks. Garmin MapSource created this format.

An Esri geodatabase is a folder, not a normal single-file database. Keep the entire directory intact and do not rename it or copy only files from inside it. Identify the source application before converting, because other programs may also use the .gdb extension.

What the CSV format is

CSV is delimited plain text, normally with one record per row and one field per column. Excel, LibreOffice Calc, database systems, programming languages, and many import utilities can read it. CSV is suitable for tabular attributes, waypoint lists, coordinates, and simple reports, and is usually easier to exchange than a proprietary database.

CSV does not preserve geodatabase relationships, symbology, domains, subtypes, attachments, topology, raster data, or most proprietary metadata. GIS geometry must be exported explicitly as coordinate columns such as latitude and longitude, or as a text geometry column such as WKT. CSV also does not store a coordinate reference system unless the exporter adds that information separately.

Convert an Esri GDB with QGIS

1. Open QGIS and choose Layer → Add Layer → Add Vector Layer.
2. Select the complete .gdb directory. Select the required feature class or table when QGIS displays the available layers.
3. Right-click the loaded layer and choose Export → Save Features As.
4. Set the format to Comma Separated Value [CSV], specify the output filename, and select UTF-8 unless another encoding is required.
5. Choose No geometry for attributes only, AS_XY for point coordinates, or AS_WKT for a geometry text column. Choose the output coordinate reference system deliberately if reprojection is needed.
6. Save the file, then inspect it in a text editor and import it into the destination program using the correct delimiter, quoting, and encoding settings.

For line and polygon layers, WKT preserves geometry as text but does not make the CSV directly usable as a map layer. Use GeoJSON or another spatial format instead when the recipient needs editable geometry, styling, or GIS behavior.

Convert an Esri GDB with ArcGIS Pro or GDAL

In ArcGIS Pro, add the geodatabase in the Catalog pane and use Analysis → Tools → Conversion → Export Table for an attribute-only export. Select the required table or feature class as the input and a folder as the output location, then assign a .csv output name. For point coordinates, make a copy first and use Data Management → Features → Add XY Coordinates or Calculate Geometry Attributes before exporting; these operations can add fields to the input data.

For repeatable or scripted exports, GDAL's ogr2ogr can read many Esri file geodatabases:

ogr2ogr -f CSV output.csv input.gdb layer_name

Use ogrinfo input.gdb to list layer names. GDAL driver support and Esri-specific field behavior vary by installation, so verify domains, date fields, nulls, and geometry after export.

MyGeodata Cloud can be used for a one-off Esri geodatabase conversion when its current service accepts the supplied GDB and exposes the required layer. Online services commonly impose file-size or layer limits and require uploading the data; do not use them for confidential locations or regulated data.

Convert a Garmin MapSource GDB

GPSBabel is the established desktop utility for Garmin MapSource GDB files. Its command-line form is:

gpsbabel -i gdb -f input.gdb -o csv -F output.csv

Use GPSBabel's graphical interface or its waypoint, route, and track options when the database contains multiple object types. CSV is most useful for flat waypoint data; routes and tracks may require separate exports, and a GPX file generally preserves their structure better.

After conversion, check names, latitude and longitude order, elevation, timestamps, route membership, and track points. GPSBabel may not support every version or feature found in a Garmin database, so an import failure does not prove that the file is an Esri geodatabase.

GPS Visualizer can be used as an online alternative when its upload service accepts the particular Garmin GDB variant. Upload only non-sensitive data because GPS files can reveal home locations, travel history, and private waypoints. Process large or confidential files locally with GPSBabel.

Quality and compatibility checks

• CSV has no universal delimiter, quoting, line-ending, or encoding standard. Confirm whether the destination expects commas, semicolons, tabs, UTF-8, or a locale-specific format.
• Spreadsheet software can alter long identifiers, leading zeroes, dates, coordinate precision, and scientific notation. Inspect the file as text or import columns explicitly as text.
• Exporting an Esri feature class without a geometry option removes its spatial information. For point data, export coordinates and record the coordinate reference system; for complex geometry, prefer GeoJSON, GeoPackage, or another spatial format.
• CSV does not preserve relationships, attachments, domains, subtypes, topology, raster data, or symbology. Keep the original GDB as the authoritative source.
• A directory ending in .gdb indicates an Esri file geodatabase; a single .gdb file associated with Garmin software indicates the MapSource format. Use QGIS, ArcGIS Pro, or GDAL for the former and GPSBabel for the latter.