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2 Ways to Convert DAT to PDF Effectively

  • By Charlotte
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  • Updated on September 29, 2025
Introduction:
If you were emailed a file and it came to you as a winmail.dat file, or you can call it a DAT file, you’re not alone—this happens often due to compatibility issues between email clients, especially with Microsoft Outlook. A DAT file can contain important content, such as documents, images, or even a PDF. However, since it’s not always directly viewable, you may need to convert a DAT file to PDF to access it properly. In this SwifDoo PDF post, we’ll show you how to convert DAT to PDF using two effective methods easily.
summary

You can convert the DAT file to a ZIP archive to extract file contents. After that, you can convert files to PDF using reliable online tools. Once converted, you can open your PDF to view, annotate, and edit it in SwifDoo PDF.

Why do my Attachments Turn into a DAT File?

A DAT file is a generic data file used by various applications, often requiring a specific program to be readable. Do you ever wonder why your attachments (probably PDFs) turn into a DAT file? It's usually because the sender's Outlook is set to use a format called TNEF (Transport Neutral Encapsulation Format), which other email clients can't interpret correctly. The reason why your PDF is showing up as a winmail.dat might be that you set your Outlook to default configurations or incorrectly configured Microsoft Outlook email client that the old software used by others cannot recognize.

To fix this, if possible, request the email sender to reconfigure their Outlook settings and resend you the attachments according to the Microsoft Support page - “TNEF effects on email messages". However, a better way is to convert Winmail.dat to PDF yourself using online free DAT to PDF converters or other trusted tools.

Convert DAT to PDF Using winmaildat.com

Winmaildat.com is a convenient, free online tool that helps you convert DAT files with no hassle. It is a quick and simple solution with no hidden costs. However, it does not directly convert DAT to PDF. Instead, this DAT file converter can help convert files to JPG, HTML, or other formats, such as RTF. However, you can convert a winmail.dat file back to its original format without any fuss. The best part is that you don't need to register or provide your email details to proceed with the conversion process.

Let’s learn how to convert .dat to PDF in a few clicks.

Step 1: Launch the winmail.dat to PDF converter online on your web browser.

Step 2: Click Browse files on the main interface. And upload the DAT file you want to convert to PDF online.

Convert DAT to PDF Using winmaildat.com step 2

Step 3: Click on a file to download it in .htm, .rtf, or .jpg. Alternatively, you can click all_files.zaip to download all the contained files as a zip file.

Convert DAT to PDF Using winmaildat.com step 3

Extra Step 4: If the original format is not PDF, launch SwifDoo PDF, choose Convert, and then, once the online converter has converted the DAT to a ZIP file, extract all files from the ZIP file. Then, convert the extracted images, spreadsheets, Word documents, or other documents to PDFs.

Step 5: Select the correct conversion option, such as Image to PDF or Word to PDF, etc.

Convert DAT to PDF Using winmaildat.com step 5

Step 6: Click Start, and you can even combine the images into a PDF and achieve the DAT to PDF conversion.

If  the original file is a Word file, select Office to PDF in SwifDoo PDF, and convert Word to PDF without losing formatting.

Convert DAT File to PDF with winmail-dat.com

Winmail.dat file converter is another web-based, free option for converting DAT files into readable formats. While it cannot directly convert DAT to PDF, it simplifies the process of working with DAT files. For instance, you can convert DAT to JPG and HTM formats. Thereafter, you can convert a DAT file to PDF online for free using a powerful online PDF converter such as SwifDoo PDF.

This online version was developed for users of Mac, Linux, iPad, iPhone, Android, and BlackBerry devices that receive Winmail.dat attachment files sent by Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Exchange.

Check out the steps to convert a DAT file to PDF with winmail-dat.com.

Step 1: Launch the online .dat file to PDF converter, winmail-dat.com.

Step 2: Click Choose File and import the DAT file you wish to convert to PDF.

Convert DAT File to PDF with winmail-dat.com step 2

Step 3: Then, press Decode to convert the winmail.dat file to PDF, and your attachments will be available in .jpg, .htm, or other formats they should be.

Convert DAT File to PDF with winmail-dat.com step 3

Step 4: You can read the DAT file content, and copy the message or screenshot the extracted files to convert to a PDF.

An All-around PDF Converter and Editor for Windows

An All-around PDF Converter and Editor for Windows

Now you know how to use an online converter to convert DAT to PDF, especially when dealing with DAT files that originally contain PDF data. After you convert DAT files to PDFs, you may need to edit, organize, or repurpose them for professional or personal use. That's where the powerful and versatile SwifDoo PDF comes in handy. It enables users to manage all PDF-related tasks effectively.

SwifDoo PDF emerges as one of the best PDF converters and editors. With just a few clicks, Users can easily transform PDFs into multiple file formats, making them readable on several devices. If the original format of the DAT file is PDF, you can convert it to Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and other files accurately using SwifDoo’s reliable conversion tools.

You’ll also enjoy these extra benefits with SwifDoo PDF:

  • Read, view, and edit PDFs with ease
  • Highlight, comment, and annotate PDFs to improve teamwork
  • Seamlessly compress, join, and split PDF documents losslessly
  • Encrypt, decrypt, and sign (digitally and electronically) the PDF documents
  • Features AI to analyze, summarize, proofread, and translate your PDF documents

Wrapping Up

Converting DAT files to PDF ensures better accessibility and compatibility across devices. Whether you're extracting contents or using a direct converter, both methods help make your files readable and shareable. For a seamless experience, try the SwifDoo PDF online conversion service, which allows you to quickly and accurately convert various file types, including Word, JPG, and Excel to PDF—making document handling easier than ever.

FAQs – People Also As

  • Q: How do I open a DAT file in PDF?
    Learning how to open a .dat file in PDF format involves understanding how to convert the DAT format to PDF format using dependable software. For fast and simple DAT to PDF conversion, use a Winmail DAT converter like winmaildat.com to extract the files from the DAT package and convert them to PDFs using the best PDF converters, such as SwifDoo PDF.
  • Q: Can I convert DAT to PDF with iLovePDF?
    No. Currently, there is no DAT file to PDF converter in iLovePDF. Use tools like SwifDoo PDF or an online DAT to PDF converter, such as Winmail Online Converter, for seamless conversion.
  • Q: How do I convert a DAT file to a readable format?
    You can convert a DAT file into a PDF that's readable. Use the online tool, winmail-dat.com, to extract the PDF files. If you need another PDF converter to convert the extracted files to PDFs, consider using a tool like SwifDoo PDF.
  • Q: How to open a .dat file?
    A .dat file is often a text-based file used by various programs to store data. You can open it with text editors like Notepad or WordPad if it's in a readable format. For other types, use the program that created it or convert it with tools like SwifDoo PDF for better accessibility.

Charlotte has been in the software industry for 8+ years. She works for AWZWARE now as a passionate writer. She is good at providing simple guides to use various video, office and entertainment software. Charlotte also recommends many other useful tools to make your work and life easier. A food lover too.

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