Free online PTB to ASCII converter
Convert Power Tab tablature files to plain-text ASCII for editing and sharing.
Convert PTB to ASCII online - free
Your file is processed instantly and deleted as soon as you download it.
Import a file from a URL
Paste a direct link to the file. We download it to our server and it is converted exactly like an upload.
How it works
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Upload your .ptb file
Click to browse to select your file you want to convert or simply drag & drop your file into selected area.
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Perform .ptb to .ascii conversion
After successful file upload, click to convert when you are ready.
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Download converted .ascii file
Conversion result is ready to download.
How to convert ptb to ascii file
- Music composition
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A PTB tablature may need conversion when a recipient cannot open Power Tab Editor or when you need a plain-text version for editing, sharing, or archiving. ASCII tablature is readable in a text editor, but it does not preserve every score and playback feature.
What the PTB format is
.ptb files are Power Tab files: they store guitar or bass tablature and musical notation created with Power Tab Editor. You may encounter them in older tablature collections or when working with arrangements made in that program.
What the ASCII format is
ASCII tablature represents strings, fret numbers, and some playing techniques as plain text characters. It is easy to open and edit in a text editor and is suitable for sharing where specialist notation software is unavailable. ASCII tab is not a single richly structured score format, so it carries less musical and playback information than PTB.
Convert online on 101convert.com
- Upload the PTB file on the converter page. You can add several files for batch conversion; the page shows the per-file size limit.
- Select ASCII as the output format and start the conversion.
- Download the converted file.
The conversion runs on the service’s server with MuseScore, then alphaTab and PyGuitarPro.
Convert offline with desktop software
On Windows, open the file in Power Tab Editor, then choose File → Export → ASCII. Save the exported text file and inspect it in a text editor. If the PTB file opens with errors, confirm that it is a Power Tab file and try a compatible Power Tab Editor version.
Quality and limitations
ASCII output is a textual representation, not a complete replacement for the original score. Check tuning, fret positions, rhythm, and technique markings after export; formatting or notation details may be simplified or omitted. Keep the PTB original if you need to preserve the editable score or playback information.
Note: This ptb to ascii conversion record is incomplete, must be verified, and may contain inaccuracies. Please vote below whether you found this information helpful or not.
PTB vs ASCII: format comparison
How the PTB and ASCII formats compare on the properties that matter most for this conversion.
| Property | .PTB Power Tab Editor Tab File | .ASCII ASCII text file |
|---|---|---|
| Open standard | No | — |
| Compression | Uncompressed | Uncompressed |
| Typical file size | Small | Very small |
| Opens in a web browser | No | No |
| Further editing | Easy | Easy |
| Metadata support | Basic | None |
| Plain-text readable | No | Yes |
| Best used for | Music | Editing and post-production |
| Introduced | — | 1963 |
| Developer | Power Tab Software | — |
| MIME type | — | text/plain |
Information about file extensions and file types is provided by File-Extensions.org
Frequently asked questions
Is the PTB to ASCII converter free?
Yes, converting PTB to ASCII on 101convert.com is completely free. No registration, email address or installation is required. If you need a higher file size limit or want to convert more files at once, see our plans.
How large can my PTB file be?
You can upload PTB files up to 3 MB and convert up to 3 files at once in a single batch. With a paid plan the limit is up to 200 MB per file and 20 files at once, see our plans.
What happens to my uploaded files?
Files are processed automatically and deleted from our servers within a few minutes after conversion. We never view or share your files.
Do I need to install any software to convert PTB to ASCII?
No. The PTB to ASCII conversion runs entirely online in your browser and works on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iPhone.
Did the conversion fail?
In most cases, the cause is an incorrect file format. Please upload a valid PTB file for this PTB to ASCII conversion. Occasionally, the issue may be on our side. We analyze recurring conversion failures and disable or fix the converter if we detect a defect.