I'm trying to create a .prn file but need a bit of help. Does it matter what printer you use when you print to a file?? Should I specify it as a .prn file or just enter a file name when prompted?? I have various printers available through my company network (no local printers) and I'm not sure which one to use to create the .prn file. When I use any colour laser printer, I get the error message - "EPS Parser is unanble to parse this file" when I try to load the .prn file in Adobe Illustrator. When I use an HP LJ 5000, I get lines of strange text and nothing that resembles the excel chart when I open the file in Adobe Illustrator. If I use a Generic/Text Only printer, I get the message - "Can not print chart in draft quality" when it is saved. When the file is opened in Adobe Illustrator, I only see the the chart labels and not the actual chart. Also, unless I specify the drive path for the file, I can not find where it puts the .prn file which is annoying. It is a colour chart so I obviously need it printed in colour but it isn't working. Does any one know what I am doing wrong??

what is making these .prn files? it sounds like they might be in HPGL, and your laser is set for post script?

As I understand it, just about any printer will allow 'Print to File' and give you the .prn format; but you will need that same printer driver installed on whichever system/PC you use to print it... Are you following the outline (as in Explorer help files for 'print to file')?; i.e. Open printers folder; Select printer to use; Via FileMenu/Properties click on Details tab; Change port in the: 'Print to Following Port Box' to be 'file'. (It will/should be listed in the assorted 'ports/destinations' available.

The above is correct . The appropiate print driver must be loaded and the port set to file instead of say lpt1. Once you have the prn file you can goto the computer with the printer, stick in the disk, open run, then type copy (filename.prn) lpt1 assuming that the printer is on lpt1.