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A .siard file is a SIARD archive containing a relational database and its metadata in a software-independent archival format.
The format is used with SIARD Suite to preserve and inspect relational databases.
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Date updated: October 9, 2026
SIARD stands for Software Independent Archival of Relational Databases. The format was developed by the Swiss Federal Archives for the long-term preservation of relational database content.
A SIARD archive stores database tables, their contents, and structural and descriptive metadata in a self-contained package. It is intended to preserve database information independently of the original database management system.
SIARD Suite is used to create, validate, view, and process SIARD archives. The software is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Open a .siard file with SIARD Suite. Install the version for Windows, macOS, or Linux, then use the program's open or import function to inspect the archived database and its metadata.
A SIARD archive is not intended to be opened as a normal document or edited directly in a text editor. If the file does not open, it may be incomplete or may require a compatible SIARD Suite version.
SIARD files are archival database packages rather than ordinary document files, so general-purpose converters are not appropriate. Use SIARD Suite or other SIARD-compatible archival software to export the database contents to a supported database system or another usable representation.
To create a SIARD file, import or archive a supported relational database with SIARD-compatible software. Preserve the original SIARD archive when long-term archival fidelity is important.
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