View a Print-To-File File

>The "printer file" so produced is the output of the printer driver that
>would have been sent to the printer if the printer's port were set as
>the target output device.
>
>This means that the format and content of the file differ depending on
>the printer type and the options selected in the driver. Some printer
>files can be viewed with Notepad. This will not give you a view of the
>document as it would print but there might be enough text decipherable
>to be useful. Some printers output as a graphics page. There will be
>nothing useful seen by Notepad or any other text editor. However, you
>might be able to make a file copy with a tif extension and view it in a
>program like Ifran View. If it is a HPGL laser, some graphics programs
>can view the file simply by opening it. Some printers output as
>bit-mapped or outline font data interspersed with printer commands.
>
>
>If you let us know the printer make and model, perhaps someone can offer
>better-directed assistance.
>
>For reference: best to also save a copy of the word processor or other
>original file as well. Yes, I know-barn door open, horse gone. ;-)
>
>Tom
>MSMVP
>Windows Shell/User
>
>"ajmplanner" <ajmplanner@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>news:BAB3E92F-3BBF-47A1-B284-A15C83131619@microsoft.com...

>> I have stored many dozens files on my hard drive using the
>> Print-To-File
>> option from the standard Print Dialog Box . I need to save these
>> files for
>> auditing purposes but I don't need to print all of them at any time.
>> I know
>> how to print them but I would like to view the files before I print
>> them as I
>> only want to select certain ones for printing based on their content .
>> Anyone
>> out there know how to do this, or if there is some software out there
>> to do
>> it? Thanks in advance for any replies.

> On Tue, 2 Jan 2007 12:02:11 -0400, "Tom Ferguson"
> <tom.msmvp@gmail.com> wrote:
>

> >The "printer file" so produced is the output of the printer driver that
> >would have been sent to the printer if the printer's port were set as
> >the target output device.
> >
> >This means that the format and content of the file differ depending on
> >the printer type and the options selected in the driver. Some printer
> >files can be viewed with Notepad. This will not give you a view of the
> >document as it would print but there might be enough text decipherable
> >to be useful. Some printers output as a graphics page. There will be
> >nothing useful seen by Notepad or any other text editor. However, you
> >might be able to make a file copy with a tif extension and view it in a
> >program like Ifran View. If it is a HPGL laser, some graphics programs
> >can view the file simply by opening it. Some printers output as
> >bit-mapped or outline font data interspersed with printer commands.
> >
> >
> >If you let us know the printer make and model, perhaps someone can offer
> >better-directed assistance.
> >
> >For reference: best to also save a copy of the word processor or other
> >original file as well. Yes, I know-barn door open, horse gone. ;-)
> >
> >Tom
> >MSMVP
> >Windows Shell/User
> >
> >"ajmplanner" <ajmplanner@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >news:BAB3E92F-3BBF-47A1-B284-A15C83131619@microsoft.com...

> >> I have stored many dozens files on my hard drive using the
> >> Print-To-File
> >> option from the standard Print Dialog Box . I need to save these
> >> files for
> >> auditing purposes but I don't need to print all of them at any time.
> >> I know
> >> how to print them but I would like to view the files before I print
> >> them as I
> >> only want to select certain ones for printing based on their content .
> >> Anyone
> >> out there know how to do this, or if there is some software out there
> >> to do
> >> it? Thanks in advance for any replies.

> Or set the driver to Generic Text for the print to file "printer".
> Note no fancy fonts allowed.
>
> Sounds like you want to make a PDF of your document.
> Acrobat reader would then be your viewer.
>

>decode the PRN files