An ARCHITECT file contains a project created by SQL Power Architect, an open source, cross-platform data modeling and profiling tool. It stores a diagram of a data model structure, which may include tables, configurations of connected databases, and the relationships between data objects. ARCHITECT files may also contain one or more source data structure snapshots, which allows users to work on the project remotely.

You most likely will only encounter ARCHITECT files if you create, manage, or analyze data architectures for organizations and use SQL Power Architect. You may also encounter an ARCHITECT file if a coworker sends you a project file created with SQL Power Architect. SQL Power Architect is a tool designed for professionals that work in IT data management, such as data architects, designers, and analysts. The software allows you to visually create and analyze data models through the use of diagrams and provides a hierarchical view of your model structure. When you create a diagram of a data model structure then save it by selecting File → Save Project or Save Project As..., SQL Power Architect creates an ARCHITECT file to store the project information. You can open an ARCHITECT file with SQL Power Architect by selecting File → Open Project....