What Is an ANB File?

This is most likely a chart file for i2 Analyst's Notebook, but it could instead be an archive used by a video game

What to Know

  • An ANB file is a chart created and used by i2 Analyst's Notebook.
  • Although rare, your file might instead be used in the Shovel Knight video game.

This article describes what an ANB file is and how to open or convert one on your computer.

What Is an ANB File?

A file with the ANB file extension is a chart file built from the i2 Analyst's Notebook program. It contains a visual representation of how different pieces of information, like emails, images, reports, etc., are associated with one another.

Screenshot of several ANB files in Windows 10 that open with IBM's i2 Chart Reader

Other ANB files you find have nothing at all to do with IBM's software and are likely part of a video game, Shovel Knight being one example. This type of ANB file is typically found stored within an archive file with either the .PAK or .ZIP file extension.

How to Open an ANB File

ANB files are created using i2 Analyst's Notebook, but can be opened for free with Chart Reader.

Other chart-related file types that can be opened in Analyst's Notebook include ANT, ANX, TCV, and TCT.

You should be able to open ANB files used in a video game with the 7-Zip file extractor program, given that the file is contained in an archive. However, you probably can actually use these files with the game unless they're placed in the correct folders where the game can reach them. In other words, there's probably no way to manually open these types of files in the game.

If an ANB file doesn't open in either of these programs, it most likely means that it's an entirely different format. One thing you can do is open it with a free text editor and see if you can pick out some legible text that may point you in the direction of the program that created your file.

How to Convert an ANB File

If any program can convert or export an ANB file to a different format, we suspect it's i2 Analyst's Notebook, but we haven't verified that.

We're unaware of any file converters that can save an ANB file used in video games to any other format. With this format, specifically, there's likely little to no reason for it to exist in any other format anyway.

Still Can't Open It?

If you still can't open your ANB file even after trying the suggestions explained above, be sure you're not confusing it with a file of a similarly named extension, like an MNB or XNB file.

FAQ
  • How do you create a timeline in Analyst Notebook?

    You can use the timeline assistant to create a timeline chart. To get started, use iBase to create the set or query to define the records you want to chart. Then, open the Timeline Assistant.

  • How do you add duration in Analyst Notebook?

    Select the Analyze tab, then under the Gain Insight group select Activity View > Durations. To set a specific duration with a start and end time, go to the Durations (Start and End) table and select a property from the Start Property list to use as the beginning. Do the same in the End Property list, then select OK to save the changes.

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