Files with a prn extensionare created when you select the print to file option under various programs.

The print to file optionis used when you want to be able to print to a file and send it to your printer at a later time. This option is also handy when you want to print on a printer owned by someone and who might not have the same program the document was originally created on. 

If you intend to print the file on a printer other than your own, you will need to change the settings in "Print Setup" to match the printer you will be using to print the end document. 

Note: Changing the printersetup will have to be done before the document is saved to the print tofile.

Although there are some commercial programs that will allow you to print files with the prn extension there is a simple way to accomplish this through the Dos Prompt.

The simplest way isto exit to DOS and at the prompt type: 

copy name_of_your_file.doc.prn LPT1 /B

If you are not in the directory which your file is in, you will have to include the path to your file in command above.

Example:copy C:\mywork\myfile.prn LPT1 /B

It's as simple as that.

If the file does not print out properly, it could be that the file was not saved for your printer.