Open MAT files

  • Full name
    Microsoft Access Table Shortcut Format
  • Developer
    Microsoft
  • Popularity
Have you encountered a problem with a MAT file? Don’t you know which program opens a file with this extension? You will find all the information you need about working with a MAT file here. In the further part of this page we have added a list of programs that should open your MAT file. It is enough you choose a proper application for your operating system, download and install it.

What is MAT file?

The file extension MAT is used for so-called Variable Binary files of the high-level language for compute-intensive tasks MATLAB. Mat files can contain variables, functions and other data types and can be stored in two format variants. It is differentiated between level 4 and 5.

More info
  • Level 4 MAT files support 2-dimensional matrices as well as strings
  • Level 5 MAT files additionally support multidimensional numerical series, objects and structures

The level to be saved is selected under 'General -> MAT files'. Mat files can also contain audio data files.

Programs which can open a MAT file

How to open file with MAT extension?

In order to open a file with MAT extension one of the following programs must be installed on user’s system. If a problem with opening MAT file occurred, it is highly possible that none of the listed programs is present on user’s system. Even if one or more said programs are installed, there may be issues related with given programs. In order to solve a problem with MAT files, follow the instructions below.
1
Install Microsoft Access or other program from the list

Most often resolving problems with opening MAT files is very simple. Just install an appropriate program that supports such files. All of the listed programs support MAT files, but may vary in offered function and purpose. Some programs may be capable only of viewing contents of MAT files or offer file conversion options, but may not be capable of editing such files.

Set Microsoft Access as the default program for opening MAT files

It is possible that although a compatible program has been installed on user’s system, it is not used by the system to open it. This may happen because no default application was associated with this type of files. To associate MAT files with given application, select "Open with" from drop-down menu (accessed by right-clicking on the file). Then select from the list the program or application you want to be used to open this type of file. If the Microsoft Access applications is not on the list, select "Browse" option in order to manually locate the directory where Microsoft Access has been installed.

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Check the section that lists most common problems with MAT files

Sometimes problems with opening MAT files may not lie with the application itself, but can arise due to other causes, such as:

  • File data is corrupted
  • MAT files has been not been completely download from the internet (only a part of the data has been downloaded)
  • Currently used user account hasn’t been granted necessary privileges to open MAT files (should that be the case, please contact your system administrator or IT specialist)
  • MAT file was being copied from a corrupted storage device and is incomplete or data is corrupted. (Copying files from unknown or untrusted sources should be conducted with great care as such files may contain malicious software, which can damage your system)

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