Skip to content

Quick Start Guide

Set up a working copy, convert one supported file, and check the result.

RF Dev Tool 6.3.5 Parser: input folder on the left, profile and output targets above the conversion controls

Parser before loading files, captured from 6.3.5 Premium. Start with Browse under Input Folder on the left. Some controls shown in the application are outside the scope of these guides.

Step 1: Download

Download CrespoGuardRFDevTool.exe from the CrespoGuard distribution package. Place it in any folder — no installation required.

MyServer/
├── CrespoGuardRFDevTool.exe
├── input/                    # Your Excel spreadsheets go here
└── output/                   # Converted files appear here

Portable

UI preferences are stored in crespoguard.ini beside the executable. License storage also uses settings.json and license_cache.json. Do not share these files with screenshots or support reports.

Work on a copy of your source data. Keep server and client output in separate test folders, away from the running server/client and away from your inputs. See Backups & Recovery before editing or replacing files.

Step 2: Prepare Your Files

Create an input/ folder next to the executable and place your .xlsx files in it.

In Parser, use the input-folder Browse button to select that folder. Click Refresh and confirm your files appear. Preserve the workbook sheet names, metadata rows, and folder layout required by your existing project. Do not build a production workbook by guessing column names from this example.

For EDF composite files (Item.edf, Quest.edf, etc.), organize sheets into subfolders:

input/
├── Grade.xlsx              # Simple single-sheet file
├── StoreList.xlsx
├── Item.edf/               # All item sheets in one folder
│   ├── FaceItem.xlsx
│   ├── WeaponItem.xlsx
│   ├── PotionItem.xlsx
│   └── ...
├── Quest.edf/              # All quest sheets
│   ├── QuestDummyEvent.xlsx
│   ├── QuestItem.xlsx
│   └── ...
└── Character.edf/          # Class + monster data
    ├── Class.xlsx
    └── MonsterCharacter.xlsx

Folder naming matters

Folders named *.edf are treated as composite file inputs. The tool merges all sheets inside into a single .edf output file.

Step 3: Activate (Premium Only)

Community Edition

If you don't have a license key, skip this step. The app opens in Community Edition mode — single-file conversion and the Map Viewer work without activation.

On first launch, click Activate in the header bar:

  1. Copy your Hardware ID (displayed in the dialog)
  2. Enter your Activation Code (format: XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX)
  3. Click ACTIVATE

The license is bound to your machine and cached locally. You can work offline for up to 7 days before re-validation is needed.

Step 4: Select Version

Choose your RF Online server version from the dropdown:

Version Description
GU Global Uprising — includes localization (nd files) and additional quest formats
BSB Standard 2.2.3 — classic server format

Choose the profile matching your source package, not simply the label used by your server's branding. Custom layouts need separate verification. AoP remains experimental and is not a substitute for GU or BSB support.

Step 5: Convert

Single File (Community + Premium)

  1. Set the server and client output paths using their Browse buttons. For your first test, use empty folders in your working copy.
  2. Select exactly one supported file in the file list.
  3. Click one of the conversion buttons:
Button Output
Run Server Server output in the configured server folder
Run Client Client output in the configured client folder; composite outputs require their supported source set
Run Both Both server and client output

Batch Conversion (Premium Only)

  1. Select the intended files. With no selection, the tool targets visible files; filters affect that scope.
  2. Click any conversion button
  3. Read any scope confirmation before starting. A selected file or sheet and an unselected filtered list are different scopes.

Dry Run

Enable Dry Run to preview the planned conversion without writing output. A preview is not proof that a full conversion or an in-game test will pass.

Step 6: Check Output

After conversion:

  • Click Open Server Output to open the configured server output folder
  • Click Open Client Output to open the configured client output folder
  • Check the log panel at the bottom for any warnings or errors

For a first example, use a known supported server workbook from your package, select only that file, and choose Run Server. Confirm the log reports a successful conversion and that the expected output was created in your empty test folder. A pre-existing file in an output folder is not evidence of success. Test the result in your staging server/client before deploying it.

Reverse Import (DAT to Excel)

To edit existing server files:

  1. Press Ctrl+M or click DAT to Excel
  2. Select a .dat file from your server
  3. The tool creates an .xlsx spreadsheet with all the data
  4. Edit in Excel, then convert back

Verify your layout

Import support and round-trip preservation depend on the format and profile. Keep the original binary and first test an unchanged import/export cycle in separate folders. Do not assume every custom DAT layout is byte-identical.

CGEF Encryption (Premium Only)

To generate encrypted client files:

  1. Check the CGEF Encrypt checkbox in the settings bar
  2. Click Run Client or Run Both
  3. Output .edf files are encrypted with CrespoGuard's format

Encrypted files require the CrespoGuard client to decrypt at runtime.

Auto-Updates

The tool checks for updates in the background on startup. Open Help > Updates to review the available update and follow its prompts. Keep backups of your working files before updating.

Next Steps