What is a .PRN file?
A .PRN file is a type of file that is created when you select the "Print to File" option in some printing dialog boxes on Windows computers. This option doesn't just save a copy of your document as it appears on your screen. Instead, it saves special instructions that tell a specific printer or other printing device how to print the document. These instructions include details about how the page should be laid out and other settings that are specific to the printer you're using.
.PRN files can contain either text or binary data, depending on what kind of device the file is intended for. This means that the content of a .PRN file can vary widely and is tailored to fit the requirements of the specific printer or device.
To open and use a .PRN file, you generally need to have access to the printer or device for which the file was originally created. If you try to open a .PRN file on a computer, it might not make much sense because it's not meant to be read by humans, but rather to be processed by printers.
Here are some ways you can handle a .PRN file: 1. **Microsoft Windows Command Prompt**: You can use commands in the Command Prompt to send the .PRN file directly to a printer connected to your Windows computer. This is included with the operating system.
2. **AllWeb FastPrint**: This is a program specifically designed to handle and print .PRN files.
3. **Any Text Editor**: You can open a .PRN file in a text editor like Notepad to view its contents. However, it might appear as a jumble of characters if the content is binary.
4. **Apple Preview**: If you are using a Mac, Apple Preview can be used to view the content of some .PRN files, depending on their format.
5. **Printing at a Print Shop**: If you have a .PRN file but don't have the printer it was created for, you might take the file to a print shop. Large print shops can often use .PRN files to print documents exactly as intended without needing the original software that created the document.
Remember, if you simply want to save a document for viewing or sharing, it's better to use the "Print to PDF" option instead of "Print to File". This will create a .PDF file, which is more universally viewable and doesn't require specific printer instructions to open.
Verification
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