Extract text from Microarray annotation files (CHIP)
To convert CHIP Annotation files to another format, you need GSEA or other Data software.
To convert other file formats to the "Microarray Annotation File" file type, you need software like GSEA or a similar tool.
A .CHIP file is a Microarray Annotation File primarily used by the Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) software. In bioinformatics workflows, these files are essential for mapping microarray feature identifiers (such as specific probe sets) to standardized human gene symbols and titles. Without a .CHIP file, researchers cannot accurately translate raw gene expression data into meaningful, human-readable biological insights.
This format is heavily utilized by GSEA, an analytical tool developed by the Broad Institute and UC San Diego. Because the file is essentially a plain tab-delimited text document beneath its specialized extension, it can technically be opened with standard spreadsheet programs like Microsoft Excel or any basic text editor.
Despite its simple underlying structure, the .CHIP format frequently frustrates users. Scientific software is notoriously strict about precise file extensions. The main disadvantage of .CHIP files is that when users edit them in standard spreadsheet tools, the program often silently appends a TXT extension upon saving. This results in a corrupted filename.chip.txt file that GSEA immediately rejects. Furthermore, non-bioinformaticians receiving a .CHIP file may not know it is plain text, making it appear to be a locked, proprietary format.
If you simply need to view or share the data, converting a .CHIP file to a standard CSV, TSV, or XLSX format is highly recommended. Converting to these universally accepted formats prevents accidental extension corruption and makes the dataset accessible to colleagues who do not use specialized genomics software. Just keep in mind that if you need to run the data back through GSEA, it must remain in its original .CHIP format.
Dealing with niche biological formats can be difficult. Emphasize that often only the original software can properly read or export the data. If our analysis detects a supported underlying or embedded format, viewing or conversion may still be possible.
Convert.Guru analyzes your CHIP file, detects the exact format, and lets you read the text inside.
Users also converted PDF and ZIP files.
If you want to convert CHIP file to XLS, XLSX, XLSM, XLSB, ODS, CSV, TSV, TAB, DIF, SLK, WK1 or WK3, you can use GSEA or similar software from the "Microarray Annotation Data" category. In the File menu, look for Save As… or Export….
To convert WQ1, XLSM, NOTES, QPW, WK3, WB2, WKS, XLSB, 123, XLS, WB1 or XLSX files to CHIP, try GSEA or another comparable tool in the "Microarray Annotation Data" category.
The history of Convert.Guru began over 25 years ago in California with Tom Simondi’s file-format database. A former contributor to Space Shuttle development and a software pioneer of the 1980s, Simondi established a trusted resource for file type analysis that was even referenced by Microsoft Windows XP. Today, we use modern technology to process and convert thousands of file formats while continually improving our CHIP converter.