.DCT File Extension

NCH Software developed the DCT format for dictation devices and software that capture spoken notes, such as those used in professional or medical environments. Medical professionals, lawyers, transcriptionists, and office staff who need to create, manage, or transcribe voice recordings are common users of the format.

The DCT format includes a dictation header that contains metadata about the recording, such as date, time, author, or device information. Many DCT files can also be encrypted, which helps protect sensitive information in fields like healthcare or legal work. The combination of compression, metadata, and optional encryption makes the format helpful for securely recording, storing, and transferring dictation files while complying with confidentiality regulations.

You can open DCT files with various software, such as NCH Express Scribe, NCH Express Dictate, and NCH Switch. NCH WavePad also opens DCT files.

Each DCT file works together with a corresponding FoxPro Database DBC file and its related Database Index .DCX file. The database engine uses these files as a set, reading the memo data from the DCT file when displaying or editing database descriptions inside the development environment.

Software developers and database administrators who work with Visual FoxPro databases are the most likely to encounter DCT files. However, Visual FoxPro is no longer actively developed (its final version was Visual FoxPro 9.0, released in 2007).

DCT files are not meant to be opened. Instead, Microsoft Visual FoxPro reads the DCT file automatically when you open its associated DBC database.

AutoCAD loads DCT files automatically when its spelling features are enabled. While the DCT file provides the base vocabulary, AutoCAD allows users to extend spell-checking behavior by adding project-specific or technical terms through custom user dictionaries, which are stored separately in .CUS files. This separation keeps standard language data distinct from user-defined additions.

DCT files are not meant to be opened. Instead, Autodesk AutoCAD references DCT files to load the dictionaries. Opening it in a text editor may show unreadable or incomplete data, and changes should be made through AutoCAD's spelling and dictionary management tools to avoid corruption.

DCT files list cheat entries, including their corresponding memory addresses and values, in a text-based format. Each DCT file is typically associated with a single NDS game and matches that game's unique identifier.

DeSmuME reads the DCT file at runtime and allows players to turn individual cheats on or off through its built-in cheat management interface. This format supports common Nintendo DS cheat systems, such as Action Replay–style codes.

NOTE: DCT files are not part of the original game software and are intended for use only within the DeSmuME emulator, not on real Nintendo DS hardware.

You can open DCT files with DeSmuME. To open a DCT file, place it in the appropriate cheats folder recognized by DeSmuME, then load the corresponding game in the emulator. You can view and manage cheats through DeSmuME’s cheat menu.

Since DCT files are text-based, you can also open them with a plain text editor to view or edit cheat entries. However, if you modify the file incorrectly, you will create invalid codes.

Because DCT files are so uncommon, most popular media players cannot play them. However, you can play DCT files in VLC media player, and you can convert them to a more usable video format using FFmpeg.