Generating PDF files with JavaScript

javascript

pdf-generation

javascript-libraries

pdfkit

byAlex Kataev·Jan 8, 2025

// Time to breathe life into jsPDF, our trusty JavaScript inkwell!!
import jsPDF from 'jspdf';
const doc = new jsPDF();
// Whispering sweet nothings (Actually, it's more of a "Hello world!" 😊)
doc.text('Hello world!', 10, 10); 
// Aaannnddd... ACTION!! It's time to save(this.universe = 'our PDF');
doc.save('generated.pdf');

Harness the power of jsPDF for quick PDF creation, inject text, and prompt a download expediently with this straightforward code snippet.

A little more than the basics

Understanding our options

When it comes to generating PDFs with JavaScript, there's more than one way to skin a cat (sorry, cat!). Libraries such as jsPDF, PDFKit, PDFmake, and React-PDF offer a range of different features and functions to suit your PDF-producing needs.

Praiseworthy PDFKit

PDFKit is a versatile tool that enables rich text formatting, unicode fonts, and advanced graphics. It's a top choice for developers who appreciate the language of JavaScript and love complex PDF documents.

December dynamic with pdfmake

Creating structured and customizable PDFs is a breeze with pdfmake, thanks to its declarative approach to document style and structure. It's the perfect tool to tackle column-based layouts, listings, and tables without breaking a sweat.

Getting scholarly with Texlive.js

Need to compile academic documents straight into a browser PDF? Give Texlive.js a try. It facilitates LaTeX users to create documents with fine details and accurate layout.

Reacting to React-PDF

If your playground is the React ecosystem, give React-PDF a whirl. Its StyleSheet mechanism offers styling similar to web-based components for a consistent developer experience.

For Old Browser Battles

Addressing browser compatibility is all about choosing the right weapon. When battling older or less compliant browsers, Data URIs are your trusty shield. In jsPDF, this is handled through the output method for Data URI creation.

Skipping Servercies with Texlive.js

Farewell, server-side processing! Texlive.js brings efficient serverless processing to the table, enhancing security and resource management with achingly modern PDF generation.

The big enchilada: Advanced techniques and best practices

Table-turning with jsPDF-AutoTable

When it's time to lay data neatly on a table, jsPDF-AutoTable swings into action. Auto-sizing columns and managing page breaks for pleasing tables is its forte.

Going HTML with html2pdf.js

Translating HTML content into PDF is a job for html2pdf.js. It faithfully captures HTML and its styles to deliver a clone in PDF format. Key assets for dashboard and report rendering.

Print.js - the jack of all trades

Print.js serves a gallon of variety. Not limited to crafting PDFs, it can also elegantly handle HTML elements, images and JSON data. Your creative boundary just got wider.

React components to PDFs

React-PDF is here to the rescue for React developers. Create, style and output PDFs within React components, aligning with the robust paradigm of React development.

explain-codes / Javascript / Generating PDF files with JavaScript

Linked

How to properly use jsPDF library

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How to embed a PDF viewer in a page?

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Recommended way to embed PDF in HTML?

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How to extract text from a PDF file?

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Display PDF within web browser

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