LanguagePRN
HP PCL printer output
File type: Document file
Files with prn extension can be usually encountered as various printer output files for HP printers. Typically created as an printer export when a HP printer is selected as an alternative to PostScript / PDF output.
Found 5 different file type records with the same prn filename suffix.
What is prn file?
File type category:
Document file
Date updated: December 30, 2024
File extension prn is commonly used for various printer output files that are exported by numerous programs and typically generated by a HP printer driver (for example PCL5, or PCL6). As PCL is device dependent, it should work on most platforms and printer devices that support it.
Generally speaking, the primary purpose of the printer driver is to translate the generic output from an application such into something the printer can understand and interpret. The output can be from documents, pictures or anything else that can be printed on paper.
The prn file contains instructions for a printer, so the machine knows what to print on the page and also which paper try to use, the paper size and other settings.
Interestingly enough, you can still generate a .prn even in modern Windows apps (Office programs for example) even in the latest Windows 10 (Print function and "print to file" check box), but since prn file extension is not associated by default with any program, it will be useless to you unless you have some interpreter installed on your machine or need it for some particular purpose.
Note: Occasionally, PostScript files generated by the "print to file" option in older Windows produced also .prn file, also when a PostScript printer was chosen. However, the typical extension for PostScript is ps file extension.
How to open prn file?
In most cases, you will need a HP printer in order to print these files, but any printer with HPs PLC support should be capable of printing the content of .prn file.
You can also use any of the available printer interpreters, such as GhostScript.
How to convert prn file?
Some PDF converters allow users to translate / convert .prn files to .pdf or PostScript files.
Suggested software to open prn file:
Associated software actions with the prn file
Software applications that can open prn files:
Canvas X (Multiplatform)
Programs for viewing prn files:
Canvas (Microsoft Windows)
FastPrint (Microsoft Windows)
Ghostscript (Microsoft Windows)
Software apps that create prn files:
Microsoft Windows (Microsoft Windows)
Software apps that convert prn files:
Ghostscript (Microsoft Windows)
Software apps that print prn files:
Canvas (Microsoft Windows)
Microsoft Windows (Microsoft Windows)
FastPrint (Microsoft Windows)
Ghostscript (Microsoft Windows)
PrnPrint (Microsoft Windows)
Calcomp Raster graphics file
File type category:
Bitmap image file
Date updated: July 14, 2017
File extension prn is used for raster graphic files, used in Calcomp plotters and digitizers. Seems like very old graphic file format, probably no longer used. Calcomp shut down all of its operations in 1999.
A .prn file is a bitmap in black and white, or 4bit CMYK.
How to open prn file?
Likely can be opened using some older graphics programs only.
How to convert prn file?
Theoretically, it may be possible to convert or export these graphics files to other similar formats, the tricky part would be to find a program capable of doing so.
DataFlex graphic device driver
File type category:
Various data file
Date updated: September 14, 2017
The prn file extension is associated with DataFlex. In 2.x versions of DataFlex, .prn files contain graphic device driver data. Some .prn files can also be debugging output from the compiler.
How to open prn file?
It is not possible to open prn extension files.
How to convert prn file?
Files with prn extension are not convertable.
Suggested software to open prn file:
Associated software actions with the prn file
Software applications that handle other tasks involving prn files:
DataFlex (Linux/Unix)
Lotus 1-2-3 formatted text
File type category:
Text file
Date updated: April 12, 2017
The prn file extension is associated with the Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet application popular in 80's and 90's developed by the International Business Machines (IBM).
The prn file contains Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet stored in simple text format.
The .prn files are used to export Lotus 1-2-3 data to other applications, such as Microsoft Excel.
How to open prn file?
Use Lotus 1-2-3, Microsoft Excel to open .prn Lotus formatted text files.
How to convert prn file?
Use compatible tools to export prn files to other formats.
Suggested software to open prn file:
Associated software actions with the prn file
Software applications that can open prn files:
Lotus 1-2-3 (Microsoft Windows)
Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Windows)
Microsoft Excel for Mac (Apple macOS / Mac OS X)
Software applications that can edit prn files:
Lotus 1-2-3 (Microsoft Windows)
Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Windows)
Microsoft Excel for Mac (Apple macOS / Mac OS X)
Software capable of saving prn files:
Lotus 1-2-3 (Microsoft Windows)
Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Windows)
Microsoft Excel for Mac (Apple macOS / Mac OS X)
Software apps that create prn files:
Lotus 1-2-3 (Microsoft Windows)
Software apps that import prn files:
Lotus 1-2-3 (Microsoft Windows)
Software apps that export prn files:
Lotus 1-2-3 (Microsoft Windows)
Software apps that print prn files:
Lotus 1-2-3 (Microsoft Windows)
Software applications that handle other tasks involving prn files:
Lotus 1-2-3 (Microsoft Windows)
Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Windows)
SmartWare report printed to disk
File type category:
Various data file
Date updated: April 24, 2019
The prn file extension is associated with the SmartWare programming platform that uses Faircom database engine also including word processor, spreadsheet editor and communication modules.
The .prn file contains text printed to file stored on hard disk.
How to open prn file?
Use SmartWare to open .prn report printed to disk files.
How to convert prn file?
Probably cannot be converted to anything else.
Suggested software to open prn file:
Associated software actions with the prn file
Software apps that create prn files:
SmartWare (Microsoft Windows)