Opening a PRN File

The PRN file type is primarily associated with Lotus 1-2-3.

PRN	File extension: PRN
	File type:	Lotus 1-2-3 formatted text file

What is a PRN file?

PRN files mostly belong to Lotus 1-2-3 by IBM. PRN stands for Print-to file. PRN files are page layout files associated with various programs.

Main Use: PRN files generally used to store printer output data exported by several printing applications such as the HP printer drivers using the PCL5 and PCL6 (PCL stands for Printer Control Language). PRN file type is linked to the Print to file feature available on all Windows PCs. PRN files are created by the compatible driver when the Print to file option is chosen in the print settings on the PC. The PRN files consist of low-level instructions written using PCL, which are sent to the printer resulting in a document or image printed using the right size, type of paper with the right settings. Apart from the PCL-coded PRN files, PostScript XPS (zipped XML) PRN files also exist. Most publishing and graphic design tools can import PRN files as well as convert them to PDF file format.
Other Uses: PRN files are used by Lotus 1-2-3, the first spreadsheet application built for DOS PC platforms. Text formatted PRN files from Lotus 1-2-3 could be printed right away without the need for extra formatting. PRN file format is also associated with the SmartWare programming platform and is used to stored textual data printed to a file on the storage disk. Versions 2.x of the DataFlex programming language, also use PRN files to store graphic device driver information.

How to open a PRN file

You need a suitable software like Lotus 1-2-3 to open a PRN file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your PRN file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a PRN file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online PRN File Viewer

Choose your .prn file to view this image

or drag and drop it here

Online File Viewer

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How to convert PRN files to JPG, PDF, HTML, DOC, ...

If you want to convert or edit a PRN file, you can use our free Online PRN File Converter (powered by Convert.Guru):

To do so, click the "Choose your .prn file to view this image" button above.
After your file is opened in browser,
click "Save as..." in the menu.
Then click the file format (e.g. PDF, JPG, DOCX, TXT, ...) you want.
Download the converted file.

Programs that open and convert PRN files:

Lotus 1-2-3 by IBM
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. PRN files are often referred to as Lotus 1-2-3 simple text files because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
DataCAD (printer file) by DATACAD
DataCAD is a computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) software. It has a Print-to-File feature to generate PRN files. A PRN file (also known as Print-to-File) stores instructions that a printer uses to print a document. This file format is classified as Page Layout. Related links: DataCAD on Wikipedia, DataCAD User Manual, PRN File Support on DataCAD Version Comparison Page, PRN Files Mentioned in DataCAD Printing Guide, 1988 DataCAD Demo Reel
Excel (Lotus 1-2-3 formatted text file) by Microsoft
Excel is a spreadsheet software that is a part of the Office suite of applications from Microsoft. PRN files were used initially by Lotus 1-2-3 to store a spreadsheet exported in a space-delimited, plain text format. Excel can both import and export PRN files. This file format is classified as Simple text file. Related links: Excel on Wikipedia, PRN File Format Support in Excel, PRN Files Support Article for Excel, Importing PRN Files in Excel, Exporting PRN Files from Excel
FastPrint (printer file) by AllWeb Software
FastPrint is a utility that allows bypassing printer drivers in Windows for printing raw print or PRN files. A PRN file (also known as Print-to-File) stores instructions that a printer uses to print a document. This file format is classified as Page Layout. Related links: Description of PRN Files, How to Generate a PRN File in Word, Excel, and Adobe PDF Reader, HP Support Article About Creating PRN Files, Forum Discussion Mentioning PRN Files and FastPrint, Open PRN Files Using XPS Viewer
SwiftView (printer file) by PaperBOS
SwiftView Viewer is a software for viewing and printing documents in different file formats. It supports PCL files, which usually have the PRN extension. PCL stands for Printer Control Language and is the format for printer instruction files used by HP printers. Other printer file formats also use the PRN extension. This file format is classified as Page Layout. Related links: PCL on Wikipedia, Description of PRN Files on FastPrint Website, PRN Files Mentioned in SwiftPublish Manual from SwiftView, PRN Files Mentioned in SwiftConvert Manual from SwiftView, HP Support Article About Creating PRN Files
XyWrite (printer file) by XyQuest
XyWrite is a word processor that was initially released in 1984. It was developed by David Erickson and distributed by XyQuest. The PRN file stores printer instructions in XyWrite. This file format is classified as Page Layout. Related links: XyWrite on Wikipedia, XyWrite Download for Windows, PRN Files Mentioned in XyWrite Support Article, Website with XyWrite Resources, XyWrite Review in Byte Magazine

PRN file format:

To find out what program is needed to open PRN files, you need to determine the file format. The file format can be deduced from the file extension and the signature. However, different programs can use the same file extension. Furthermore, a file extension can be renamed incorrectly and double-clicking on it will then display an error when it is opened. When there is a problem with a file, the first step to solving it is to determine the file format. Our examination of the PRN files comes to the following conclusion:

The PRN file extension is very common and primarily uses a special format that can be read by various programs. The two most popular formats are as follows:

15% of all PRN files are HP Printer Command Language files. They consist of unreadable binary data. Most of these files are 35 KB to 2 MB in size. The file type was developed 10 years ago and is still in use today. Several words can almost always be found in the files, e.g. -12345X, USERNAME, @PJL COMMENT and PJL JOB NAME. Files like these are about output, report, swupgrade, testprint, manual, print and testp.
8% of all PRN files start with the bytes Original (Customs crucial for this file format. The contents of these files can even be read by a human. The files are on average 14 KB in size and range from 8 KB to 37 KB. Certain words are almost always found in the files, such as Indian Customs EDI System - Imports V1.5R001, Original (Customs copy) and CUSTOMS HOUSE 60,RAJAJISALAI,CHENNAI-600001.

All other PRN files (77%) have no consistent format, often e.g. Kyocera PRESCRIBE printing language, ZIP, PDF, UTF-8, XML, TIFF, Indian, Adobe, JZJZ, Script, Lines, SIZE, TAMILNAD and PJL. Files like these are sometimes linked to label, printfrm, sales, stmt, etiqueta or document. You can get all the details of your PRN file by dragging it onto this page or by clicking the button "Choose your .prn file to view this image" above.

Technical Data for PRN File Extension

File classification:

Simple text file

Related files:

pnr, pm, pptx, prm, fu, prnx, out, print, pdf, ack_, pcl, laf, zjs, ps, txt, xps, ntx, gsx, pjl, xls

Mime type:

application/vnd.hp-pcl, application/octet-stream, text/plain

The following listing is compiled from the database produced by the 'Associate This!' program, selected data from the main FILExt database and file extension information submitted by users.

ProgramID: CorelDRAW.Graphic.11, FileType: CorelDRAW 11.0 Graphic, AppName: CorelDRAW(R)
EXEFile: coreldrw.exe

ProgramID: CorelDRAW.Graphic.9
EXEFile: C:\Corel\Graphics9\Programs\coreldrw.exe -DDE

ProgramID: MXprn
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\mfw\pfe\pfe32.exe %1

ProgramID: PDFCreator PRN.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\JawsSystems\Jaws PDF Creator\Topdf.exe %1

ProgramID: CorelDRAW.Graphic.8
EXEFile: C:\Corel\Graphics8\Programs\coreldrw.exe -DDE

ProgramID: XnView.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\XnView\xnview.exe %1

ProgramID: CorelDRAW.Graphic.9
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Corel\Graphics9\Programs\coreldrw.exe -DDE

ProgramID: CorelDRAW.Graphic.10
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\corel\graphics10\programs\coreldrw.exe %1

ProgramID: CorelDRAW.Graphic.8
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\programs\coreldrw.exe -DDE

ProgramID: CorelDRAW ESSENTIALS.Graphic.11.2
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Corel\CorelDRAW ESSENTIALS 2\PROGRAMS\CORELDRW.EXE -DDE

ProgramID: CorelDRAW ESSENTIALS.Graphic.11.2
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\PROGRAMS\CORELDRW.EXE -DDE

ProgramID: FreePDF
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\FreePDF_XP\FreePDF.exe

ProgramID: TS_Printout_File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Timberline Office\Accounting\tsObject.exe

ProgramID: application/vnd.hp-PCL
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\SwiftView\sview.exe

ProgramID: PrintFile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\PRINTF~1\PRFILE32.EXE

ProgramID: CorelDRAW.Graphic.8
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\corel\Programs\coreldrw.exe -DDE

Show all 17 listings To Top

a prn Lotus 1-2-3 formatted text file is a special file format by IBM and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with PRN files

Associate the PRN file extension with the correct application.
Update your software that should actually open lotus 1-2-3 formatted text files. Because only the current version supports the latest PRN file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the IBM manufacturer website after an available Lotus 1-2-3 update.
To make sure that your PRN file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
Click here to open your .PRN file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.