File Types 
vCard File
| Extension | N/A |
| Developer | N/A |
| Format | Text and Binary |
What is VCF File Format? (vCard File)
VCF files, also known as vCard files, are used to store contact information such as names, addresses, phone numbers and emails. They can be exchanged between digital devices and programs, and are supported by many operating systems and applications. VCF files are often used for address book storage and contact sharing.
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VCF files are an electronic version of the traditional business card. When exchanging contact information, users can now send the vCard in a digital form instead of using paper cards or writing down details.
This makes it easier for contacts to store each other’s info without having to remember them. VCF files include all the relevant information about a contact: their name, address, telephone number, email, etc. It also allows users to attach photos, URLs, logos and other personal information to the file.
How to Open and Edit VCF File?
Opening and editing VCF files is easy and straightforward. All modern operating systems come with dedicated apps that allow you to open and edit these files.
For example, on Windows PCs, VCF files can be opened and edited using Microsoft Outlook, while Mac computers come with Contacts app preinstalled.
Additionally, there are several third-party apps, both free and paid, that you can use to open, view and edit VCF files.
How to Convert VCF File?
VCF files can be easily converted to other file formats such as:
- CSV File: Comma-Separated Values
- TXT File: Text
- XML File: Extensible Markup Language
- LDIF File: LDAP Data Interchange Format
There are several online file converters available where you can upload VCF files and convert them to your desired format. Additionally, some third-party apps, like Contacts+ for iOS and Android, can directly export VCF files to other file formats.
Variant Call Format File
| Extension | .VCF |
| Developer | 1000 Genomes Project |
| Format | Text |
What is VCF File Format? (Variant Call Format File)
Variant Call Format (VCF) is a file format used by bioinformatics software to store gene sequence variations. It consists of a text file with information on each variant in the form of a row in a table, containing information such as the chromosome number, position, reference nucleotide, alternative nucleotide, and any other relevant annotations.
This allows for easy comparison and analysis of individual variants across samples and population-level studies.
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As an overarching tool for sharing and analyzing genetic information, VCF files are commonly used as a file format to store and transfer genetic data between different bioinformatics tools, databases, or research groups either alone or in collaboration with one another. Therefore, many researchers utilize VCF files to share and analyze genetic data as they are easily readable and understandable.
VCFs are also commonly used to store the results of genetic variation studies, such as whole genome sequencing, exome sequencing, or targeted genotyping. These studies often involve millions of variants, which are stored in a VCF file to make them easier to manage.
Furthermore, VCF files are increasingly becoming the standard format for representing genomic variation data. This is due to its ease of use, its flexibility in terms of data representation, and its compatibility with many different bioinformatics tools. This makes it the preferred format for many applications, such as genome browsers, sequence aligners, SNP callers, and more.
How to Open and Edit VCF File?
There are many way to open and edit VCF files and no specific software is required to do so. You can open a VCF file with any text editor you choose for example Notepad++ or Sublime Text and you will see how easy it is.
A VCF file will normally contain a whole set of variants with the names of each one placed in each row whereas the columns will contain details about each variant. If any changes are made to the file, they should be done carefully as incorrect values may impact the analysis.
As part of editing a VCF file, you will be able to edit the existing fields or create new fields. Nonetheless, it is important to be sure that the correct syntax is used when you make these changes. For example, some fields require quotation marks while others require numerical values. It is then possible to use this file with any compatible application once you have made changes and saved the file.
How to Convert VCF File?
Depending on the application and the specific requirements, VCF files can be converted into a variety of different file formats. Some of the most popular formats to convert VCF file examples are the following.
- BED File: Browser Extensible Data
- GFF File: General Feature Format
- FASTA File: Fast Allignment Search Tool
As each of these formats store a different type of information, it is important to select the format that is most relevant to the individual user’s needs at the time. Additionally, some applications could be capable of automatically converting between different formats as needed.