WMF to PDB Converter

WMF to PDB — Palm database format, free online

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Palm-Ready Format

Convert WMF to PDB — a format compatible with Palm devices and handheld e-book readers.

Cloud Infrastructure

All conversion work runs on Convertio servers. Your local machine is never burdened.

Upload and Go

Simple three-step flow — upload, choose PDB, download. No technical expertise needed.

How to convert WMF to PDB

1

Select files from Computer, Google Drive, Dropbox, URL or by dragging it on the page.

2

Choose pdb or any other format you need as a result (more than 200 formats supported)

3

Let the file convert and you can download your pdb file right afterwards

About formats

WMF (Windows Metafile) is a vector graphics format created by Microsoft, introduced with Windows 3.0 in May 1990 as the platform's native format for recording and replaying graphical operations. A WMF file captures a sequence of GDI (Graphics Device Interface) drawing commands — lines, rectangles, ellipses, polygons, text, and bitmap blits — in the order they were issued, serializing screen or printer output into a replayable file. The format uses a 16-bit coordinate space and organizes records as a linear stream of function calls with their parameters, preceded by a header specifying the bounding rectangle and resolution. WMF became deeply integrated into the Windows ecosystem as the default format for clip art collections, Office document graphics, and clipboard vector interchange during the 1990s — Microsoft Office shipped with thousands of WMF clip art images that defined a visual era of desktop publishing. One advantage is pervasive compatibility: virtually every Windows application from the past three decades can render WMF content, making it one of the most widely supported vector formats in existence. The lightweight recording model is another strength — WMF files are compact and render quickly because they replay native system drawing calls rather than interpreting a complex graphics language. While 16-bit limitations and lack of transparency and Bezier curves led Microsoft to develop EMF as a 32-bit replacement, WMF files remain ubiquitous in legacy documents and across current Windows software.
Developer: Microsoft
Initial release: May 22, 1990
PDB (Palm Database) is a generic database container format created by Palm, Inc. for the Palm OS platform, first appearing with the original PalmPilot in March 1996. In the ebook context, PDB files most commonly use the PalmDOC or Plucker encoding to store readable text with basic formatting. The format consists of a 78-byte header identifying the database name, creation date, and record count, followed by a record index table and the data records themselves. PalmDOC-encoded PDB files use a simple LZ77-based compression scheme to pack plain text efficiently, while Plucker extends this with HTML rendering, image support, and hyperlink navigation. PDB ebooks powered a thriving mobile reading ecosystem years before dedicated e-readers existed — millions of Palm OS users carried entire libraries on devices like the Palm V, Tungsten, and Treo handhelds. A primary advantage is extreme simplicity: the flat record structure and minimal overhead mean PDB files parse instantly even on severely constrained hardware with limited memory and processing power. The open, well-documented structure is another strength, having spawned numerous reader applications across Palm OS, Windows, and later mobile platforms. Though the Palm platform is long discontinued, PDB ebooks remain accessible through conversion tools and readers like Calibre, and the format holds historical significance as one of the earliest practical mobile ebook solutions.
Developer: Palm, Inc.
Initial release: March 1996

Frequently Asked Questions

Why convert WMF to PDB?

PDB is used as an e-book and image container for Palm devices. Converting WMF to PDB packages graphics for Palm-compatible readers.

What opens PDB files?

Palm devices, Calibre, some e-book readers, and PalmOS emulators can read PDB format files.

Does the conversion maintain the graphic properly?

The WMF content is rasterized and packaged into PDB format with appropriate image representation.

Is WMF to PDB conversion free?

Standard conversion is free. Premium subscriptions offer additional features and higher limits.

How fast does conversion happen?

A few seconds at most. PDB files are small and cloud processing handles them quickly.

Can I batch-convert WMF to PDB?

Yes — upload several WMF files and Convertio converts them all to PDB in one batch.