Each data record contains a fixed place in a relative file. Each record ought to have associated with it in integer key value which will help identify this slot. Therefore, this key will be utilized for insertion & retrieval of the record. Random and sequential access is possible. Relative files can exist only on random access devices like disks.

These are alike to relative files, except that the key value require not be an integer. The user can specify keys that make sense to his application.