Converting HTML to PDF in an ASP.NET MVC application can be accomplished using various libraries, with one of the most popular being iTextSharp. This library provides a robust set of features for creating and manipulating PDF documents. Below, I will guide you through the process step-by-step, ensuring that you have a comprehensive understanding of how to implement this functionality.
1- Install iTextSharp
First, you need to install the iTextSharp library. You can do this via NuGet Package Manager.
2- Create an Method on Controller to generate PDF
public FileResult GeneratePdf(FormCollection fc)
{
string fromDate="";
string Todate="";
string buyer="";
byte[] bytes=null;
string fileName = "";
fromDate = fc["txtFromDate"] == null ? "" : fc["txtFromDate"].ToString();
Todate = fc["txtToDate"] == null ? "" : fc["txtToDate"].ToString();
buyer = fc["txtBuyerName"] == null ? "" : fc["txtBuyerName"].ToString();
Document pdfDoc = new Document(PageSize.A4, 10f, 10f, 10f, 0f);
string[,] Param = new string[,]
{
{"@buyerId", buyer},
{"@FromDate", fromDate.Trim()},
{"@ToDate", Todate.Trim()},
{"@Type", "S"},
};
DataSet ds = CommonMethod.ExecuteProcedureReturnDS(Param, "USP_ShowExMeshReport_Pdf");
if (ds != null && ds.Tables.Count > 0 && ds.Tables[0].Rows.Count > 0)
{
StringBuilder sb = CommonMethod.GenerateMeshReportPDF(ds, fromDate, Todate);
StringReader sr = new StringReader(sb.ToString());
using (MemoryStream memoryStream = new MemoryStream())
{
PdfWriter writer = PdfWriter.GetInstance(pdfDoc, memoryStream);
pdfDoc.Open();
PdfContentByte cb = writer.DirectContent;
cb.SetLineWidth(1f);
cb.SetColorStroke(BaseColor.GRAY);
cb.Rectangle(0, 0, pdfDoc.PageSize.Width, pdfDoc.PageSize.Height);
cb.Stroke();
iTextSharp.tool.xml.XMLWorkerHelper.GetInstance().ParseXHtml(writer, pdfDoc, sr);
pdfDoc.NewPage();
StringBuilder itemListSb = CommonMethod.GenerateMeshReportPDF_ItemList(ds);
StringReader itemListSr = new StringReader(itemListSb.ToString());
iTextSharp.tool.xml.XMLWorkerHelper.GetInstance().ParseXHtml(writer, pdfDoc, itemListSr);
pdfDoc.Close();
bytes = memoryStream.ToArray();
fileName = "Mess_Invoice_" + DateTime.Now.ToString("yyyyMMdd_HHmmss") + ".pdf";
}
}
return File(bytes, "application/pdf", fileName);
}
StringBuilder itemListSb = CommonMethod.GenerateMeshReportPDF_ItemList(ds); // This is for generating dynamic html according to your requirement .
3- Suppose we have below html , that need to generate PDF
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8"/>
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0"/>
<title>Daily Shopping Items</title>
<style>
body {
font-family: Arial, sans-serif;
margin: 0;
padding: 20px;
position: relative;
}
.container {
max-width: 800px;
margin: auto;
background: #fff;
padding: 20px;
border-radius: 5px;
box-shadow: 0 0 10px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
border: 1px solid #ddd;
}
h1, h2 {
color: #333;
}
.summary {
margin-top: 20px;
border: 1px solid #ddd;
padding: 10px;
border-radius: 5px;
background-color: #f9f9f9;
}
.summary_ {
margin-bottom: 20px;
border: 1px solid #ddd;
padding: 10px;
border-radius: 5px;
background-color: yellow;
color: black;
}
summary div {
margin: 5px 0;
}
table {
width: 100%;
border-collapse: collapse;
margin-top: 20px;
}
th, td {
padding: 10px;
text-align: left;
border: 1px solid #ddd;
}
th {
background-color: #f2f2f2;
}
.watermark {
position: absolute;
top: 50%;
left: 50%;
transform: translate(-50%, -50%);
opacity: 0.1;
font-size: 50px;
color: #000;
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<div class="container">
<h1> Mess Item List</h1>
<div class="summary">
<div><strong>Buyer Name :</strong> Akash Verma</div>
<div><strong>Shopping Date :</strong> 04-Nov-2024</div>
<div><strong>Advance :</strong> 750.00</div>
<div><strong>Expense :</strong> 840.00</div>
<div><strong>Balance :</strong> -90.00</div>
</div>
<h4>Item List 04-Nov-2024</h4>
<table id="shoppingList">
<thead><tr><th>Sr.No</th><th>Item Name</th><th>Qty</th><th>Unit</th><th>Amount</th></tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Tamatar</td>
<td>1.000</td>
<td>Kg</td>
<td>60.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>Mirch Hara</td>
<td>250.000</td>
<td>Gram</td>
<td>20.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>Soyabin</td>
<td>250.000</td>
<td>Gram</td>
<td>25.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>Saraso Tel</td>
<td>2.000</td>
<td>Litre</td>
<td>320.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td>Kabuli Chana</td>
<td>500.000</td>
<td>Gram</td>
<td>70.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6</td>
<td>Rahar Dal</td>
<td>1.000</td>
<td>Kg</td>
<td>170.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7</td>
<td>Besan</td>
<td>500.000</td>
<td>Gram</td>
<td>55.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8</td>
<td>Chana Dal</td>
<td>1.000</td>
<td>Kg</td>
<td>100.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9</td>
<td>Matar</td>
<td>500.000</td>
<td>Gram</td>
<td>20.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</body>
</html>
4- Now need to call method to generate pdf from view, via button click.
@using (@Html.BeginForm("GeneratePdf", "Admin", FormMethod.Post, new { target = "_blank" }))
{
// Rest Code
<button type="submit" id="btngeneratePDF" class="btn btn-primary"><i class="fa fa-download"></i>
Generate PDF</button>
}
Output :
