How Do You Convert PDB to PDF?
You convert PDB to PDF by adding the Palm e-book to QuickCatPDF's PDB to PDF converter, choosing a page size, and clicking Convert to PDF. The book's text is laid out on real pages with page numbers, and the PDF opens on any modern device.
The converter reads PalmDOC books, the most common kind of PDB e-book. It's free, needs no sign-up and adds no watermark.
How to Convert a PDB File to PDF With QuickCatPDF
Converting a Palm e-book takes four steps.
- Click Select PDB files or drop your books on the page (up to 10 files).
- Choose the Page size and Text size, and whether to include page numbers.
- For several books, choose Separate PDFs or One combined PDF.
- Click Convert to PDF and download the PDF, or click Save as PDF on this device to print it from your browser without uploading.
Why Use QuickCatPDF for Old Palm eBooks?
PDB books come from Palm handhelds and early reading apps, and almost nothing opens them today. QuickCatPDF unpacks the compressed PalmDOC text and turns it into paragraphs, or keeps the formatting when the book's text contains basic HTML, such as bold text, headings and lists.
In our test, a 154 KB PalmDOC book converted in about 3 seconds into a 33-page A5 PDF, with formatting tags turned into real formatting rather than shown as text. The text in the PDF could be searched and copied.
The file is sent over HTTPS, converted in a sandboxed service with no internet access, and deleted right after conversion.
Which PDB Files Are Supported?
PDB is a container used by many Palm programs, so not every .pdb file is a book.
| PDB type | Supported |
|---|---|
| PalmDOC e-books (TEXt/REAd) | Yes |
| Mobipocket books saved as .pdb | Yes |
| eReader and Peanut Press books | No |
| Plucker documents | No |
| Palm databases that aren't books | No |
When a file is a kind we can't read, the tool says so instead of producing an empty PDF. Mobipocket books with a .prc or .mobi extension convert on MOBI to PDF.
Are Pictures Kept?
PalmDOC books are almost always plain text, and pictures stored in them aren't converted. The text, its paragraphs and simple formatting are kept.
Frequently asked questions
Is PDB to PDF free?
Yes, free with no sign-up and no watermark, with a fair-use limit of 60 files an hour.
Can I convert PDB to PDF without uploading?
Yes, add one PDB book and click Save as PDF on this device. The book is laid out in your browser and saved from the print window, so nothing is uploaded.
Why does my PDB file say it uses a variant you can't read?
The file is an eReader, Plucker or other Palm format rather than a PalmDOC book. Those variants aren't supported yet.
What page size is best?
A5 suits reading on screens; choose A4 or Letter if you plan to print. Larger text gives more pages.
Can I convert other e-book formats?
Yes, the eBook to PDF page accepts EPUB, MOBI, AZW3, FB2, CBR and DjVu as well. For a plain document you typed yourself, Word to PDF converts DOCX and TXT files.
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