BIL File Extension

What is BIL file?

BIL is a file extension commonly associated with ESRI BIL Format files. ESRI BIL Format specification was created by ESRI. Files with BIL extension may be used by programs distributed for Windows platform. Files with BIL extension are categorized as GIS Files files. The GIS Files subset comprises 255 various file formats. The most popular program for handling BIL files is Global Mapper, but users can choose among 3 different programs that support this file format. On the official website of Global Mapper Software LLC developer not only will you find detailed information about theGlobal Mapper software, but also about BIL and other supported file formats.

Programs which support BIL file extension

The following listing features BIL-compatible programs. BIL files can be encountered on all system platforms, including mobile, yet there is no guarantee each will properly support such files.

How to open file with BIL extension?

There can be multiple causes why you have problems with opening BIL files on given system. What is important, all common issues related to files with BIL extension can be resolved by the users themselves. The process is quick and doesn’t involve an IT expert. The list below will guide you through the process of addressing the encountered problem.

Step 1. Get the Global Mapper

Problems with opening and working with BIL files are most probably having to do with no proper software compatible with BIL files being present on your machine. This one is an easy one. Select Global Mapper or one of the recommended programs (for example, GDAL, ArcView, Total GIS Converter) and download it from appropriate source and install on your system. Above you will find a complete listing of programs that support BIL files, classified according to system platforms for which they are available. If you want to download Global Mapper installer in the most secured manner, we suggest you visit Global Mapper Software LLC website and download from their official repositories.

Step 2. Check the version of Global Mapper and update if needed

You still cannot access BIL files although Global Mapper is installed on your system? Make sure that the software is up to date. It may also happen that software creators by updating their applications add compatibility with other, newer file formats. This can be one of the causes why BIL files are not compatible with Global Mapper. All of the file formats that were handled just fine by the previous versions of given program should be also possible to open using Global Mapper.

Step 3. Assign Global Mapper to BIL files

If you have the latest version of Global Mapper installed and the problem persists, select it as the default program to be used to manage BIL on your device. The method is quite simple and varies little across operating systems.

Selecting the first-choice application in Windows

• Choose the Open with entry from the file menu accessed by right-mouse clicking on the BIL file
• Next, select the Choose another app option and then using More apps open the list of available applications
• Finally select Look for another app on this PC, point to the folder where Global Mapper is installed, check the Always use this app to open BIL files box and conform your selection by clicking OK button

Selecting the first-choice application in Mac OS

• By clicking right mouse button on the selected BIL file open the file menu and choose Information
• Proceed to the Open with section. If its closed, click the title to access available options
• Select Global Mapper and click Change for all...
• If you followed the previous steps a message should appear: This change will be applied to all files with BIL extension. Next, click the Continue button to finalize the process.

Step 4. Check the BIL for errors

You closely followed the steps listed in points 1-3, but the problem is still present? You should check whether the file is a proper BIL file. It is probable that the file is corrupted and thus cannot be accessed.

1. Verify that the BIL in question is not infected with a computer virus

If the file is infected, the malware that resides in the BIL file hinders attempts to open it. Immediately scan the file using an antivirus tool or scan the whole system to ensure the whole system is safe. If the scanner detected that the BIL file is unsafe, proceed as instructed by the antivirus program to neutralize the threat.

2. Check whether the file is corrupted or damaged

Did you receive the BIL file in question from a different person? Ask him/her to send it one more time. It is possible that the file has not been properly copied to a data storage and is incomplete and therefore cannot be opened. If the BIL file has been downloaded from the internet only partially, try to redownload it.

3. Check if the user that you are logged as has administrative privileges.

There is a possibility that the file in question can only be accessed by users with sufficient system privileges. Log out of your current account and log in to an account with sufficient access privileges. Then open the ESRI BIL Format file.

4. Verify that your device fulfills the requirements to be able to open Global Mapper

If the system is under havy load, it may not be able to handle the program that you use to open files with BIL extension. In this case close the other applications.

5. Verify that your operating system and drivers are up to date

Regularly updated system, drivers, and programs keep your computer secure. This may also prevent problems with ESRI BIL Format files. It is possible that one of the available system or driver updates may solve the problems with BIL files affecting older versions of given software.

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