Extract text from printer description files (PPD)
To convert PPD printer files to another format, you need CUPS or other Settings software.
To convert other file formats to the "Printer Configuration File" file type, you need software like CUPS or a similar tool.
A .PPD file is a PostScript Printer Description file originally developed by Adobe Systems. It serves as a text-based driver configuration file that tells an operating system how to utilize the specific capabilities of a PostScript printer, such as paper sizes, duplexing options, and font availability. These files are heavily utilized by UNIX-like operating systems, specifically within the CUPS (Common UNIX Printing System) environment. While less common, the .PPD extension is also used by ProfiCAD for electrical schematic symbols and by ActiveState for Perl Package Definitions.
The primary disadvantage of a .PPD printer file is its obsolescence and highly specific nature. Because it consists of raw code and settings, it is difficult for standard users to read or edit without breaking printer functionality. Furthermore, modern operating systems like macOS and Windows are actively transitioning to driverless printing protocols (like IPP Everywhere), making legacy .PPD files obsolete. They are completely unsupported by web browsers and require specific text editors or system administration tools to interpret. For users dealing with ProfiCAD files, the proprietary nature means you cannot view the schematics without installing the dedicated software.
To make this configuration data readable, or to extract the printer specifications for documentation, conversion is necessary. For archiving or sharing specifications, convert to PDF. For code editing, convert to TXT or XML. If you are a ProfiCAD user, converting your diagram to a standard vector format like SVG or raster image like PNG is best for web sharing.
Convert.Guru analyzes your PPD file, detects the exact format, and lets you read the text inside.
Users also converted PPTX, PDD, RWSERVLET, PPT, PDF, EXE, JPG, PS, TXT, HTML, JPEG and PNG files.
If you want to convert PPD file to PPT, SYS, DLL, EXE, DRV, VXD, 386, COM, BAT, CMD, SCR or PIF, you can use CUPS or similar software from the "Printer Capabilities Configuration" category. In the File menu, look for Save As… or Export….
To convert MSI, EXE, REG, MST, LNK, CAB, CAT, DRV, INF, SYS, MSU or DLL files to PPD, try CUPS or another comparable tool in the "Printer Capabilities Configuration" category.
The history of Convert.Guru began over 25 years ago in California with Tom Simondi’s file-format database. A former contributor to Space Shuttle development and a software pioneer of the 1980s, Simondi established a trusted resource for file type analysis that was even referenced by Microsoft Windows XP. Today, we use modern technology to process and convert thousands of file formats while continually improving our PPD converter.