Got a VCF file (Virtual Contact File or vCard)? Here are a few easy ways to open a VCF file in Windows 10 and extract contact details.
VCF is the standard file format to share and backup contacts in Windows and other operating systems. One of the best things about VCF file format is that it lets you save a wide range of details like name, phone number, contact image, email, address, etc., for each contact. The VCF file format’s flexibility comes from its unique yet easy-to-understand syntax.
Given its popularity, flexibility, and wide usage, almost all major applications and services support importing and exporting contacts in VCF file format. For example, if you try to export contacts in Outlook, you will be given the option to export them in VCF format.
Considering all this, you would think you can open a VCF file directly in the File Explorer. However, Windows doesn’t make it that obvious. You have to use a couple of roundabout ways to open VCF files. The good thing is, it is pretty easy to do.
This straightforward guide will show you how to open a VCF file in Windows 10 in multiple ways. Follow the one you like.
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Open VCF file with Notepad
If you want to open and see the contents of the VCF file, you can use the Notepad application. There is no need to use third-party software. Here is how.
- Open the Start menu.
- Search and open “Notepad.”
- Click “File” in the Notepad.
- Select “Open” from the list.
- Go to the VCF file location.
- Select “All files” from the file type dropdown menu.
- Select the VCF file and click “Open.”
- With that, the VCF file is opened in Notepad.
First, open the Start menu, search for “Notepad,” and click on the result to open it. You can also open it by typing “notepad” in the Run dialog box. After opening the Notepad, click on the “File -> Open” option.
The above action will open the file selection window. Here, go to where the VCF file is located, set the file type to “All Files,” select the VCF file, and click the “Open” button.
As soon as you do that, Notepad will open the VCF file. Since we are opening the VCF file in Notepad, it will be in raw format. This means you will also see the VCF syntax.
Since the syntax itself is mostly in plain English, it is pretty easy to understand. You can find each contact’s details between the “BEGIN:VCARD” and “END:VCARD” tags.
Depending on how many contacts you have, it can be a bit confusing to find different contacts. In that case, I recommend you follow the second method.
Open VCF file with vCard Viewer
If you want to see a properly formatted VCF file or edit a VCF, you can use a free, portable, and open-source application called vCard Viewer. It is straightforward to use. Here is how.
First, go to the official GitHub page and download the vCard Viewer application. After downloading, double-click on the exe file.
Being a portable application, there is no need for installation. The application will open instantly. In the application, click “File -> Open.”
Go to the VCF file location, select it, and click “Open.”
As soon as you do that, the application will open the VCF file. It neatly lists all the contacts in the VCF file on the sidebar. Click on the contact to see and edit the details in the right panel.
If you want to change the contact info, make the required changes, press the “Ctrl + S” shortcut, or click the “Save” icon to save the changes.
How to Open VCF file in Excel
If you want to import or open a VCF file in Excel, you can do that too. Since VCF uses custom syntax, you have to set correct delimiters to import the file correctly. It sounds tricky, but it is easy. Here is how.
First, open Excel. After that, click on “File -> Open” and then click on the “Browse” button.
Now, go to the place where the VCF file is stored. Set the file type to the “All Files (*)” option, select the VCF file, and click “Open.”
The above action will open the Text Import Wizard. Here, select “Delimited” under the Original Data Type section click “Next.”
Now you need to select the Delimiters you want to use. Set them as below and click the “Next” button. As you choose the delimiters, you can see a preview of how the vCard will appear in Excel.
- Select “Tab” delimiter.
- Select “Semicolon” delimiter.
- Choose “Other” delimiter and type “:” in the field next to it.
Leave the default options on this screen and click the “Finish” button.
With that, you have imported the VCF file into Excel. After importing, you might have to do some cleanup, but that is not a big deal.
That is it. It is that simple to open a VCF file in Windows 10.
I hope that helps.
If you are stuck or need some help, comment below, and I will try to help as much as possible.
