· tutorials · 9 min read
How To Convert HTML to PDF with Java (Best for 2024)
Discover the most efficient methods to convert HTML to PDF using Java and select the best tool for your needs
Introduction
Creating PDFs programmatically in Java is a common requirement, and in 2024 there are various tools and libraries that make this task easier. This article explores some of the most efficient methods for converting HTML to PDF using Java.
Why HTML to PDF?
- Market Standard: The web’s backbone is HTML, making it a familiar and ubiquitous choice for content formatting.
- Mature Technology: With its open standards, HTML is supported by a vast array of tools and technologies.
- Versatility: The plethora of tools simplifies the conversion process.
- Styling with CSS: Leverage CSS for sophisticated styling in your PDFs.
- Multimedia Inclusion: HTML provides a rich starting point for media-rich documents.
HTML to PDF using Java Libraries
1. OpenPDF
OpenPDF is a free and open-source Java library that can be used to create and manipulate PDF documents. Here is a simple example demonstrating how to convert HTML to PDF using OpenPDF:
Step 1: Add OpenPDF Dependency
First, include OpenPDF in your project. If you are using Maven, add the following dependency to your pom.xml
:
Step 2: Java Code to Convert HTML to PDF
Here is a basic Java code snippet that shows how to use OpenPDF to convert an HTML string to a PDF document:
This code snippet demonstrates a simple conversion of HTML content to a PDF document using OpenPDF. I have written a comprehensive guide on how to convert HTML to PDF using OpenPDF, do check that out.
2. Flying Saucer
Flying Saucer is a Java library that allows rendering XML or XHTML with CSS and converting it to PDF. Below is an example of how to use Flying Saucer for HTML to PDF conversion.
Step 1: Add Flying Saucer Dependency
Include Flying Saucer in your project. If you are using Maven, add the following dependencies to your pom.xml
:
Step 2: Java Code to Convert HTML to PDF
Here’s a basic Java code snippet demonstrating the use of Flying Saucer to convert HTML to a PDF document:
This code snippet shows how to use Flying Saucer with the ITextRenderer class to render an HTML file as a PDF document. For a more detailed guide on using Flying Saucer for HTML to PDF conversion, check out my comprehensive tutorial.
3. iText
iText is a popular Java library for creating and manipulating PDF documents. It provides extensive capabilities for HTML to PDF conversion. Here’s a basic example of how to use iText for this purpose.
Step 1: Add iText Dependency
Include iText in your project. If you are using Maven, add the following dependency to your pom.xml
:
Step 2: Java Code to Convert HTML to PDF
Below is a Java code snippet demonstrating the use of iText to convert an HTML string to a PDF document:
This example demonstrates converting a simple HTML string to PDF using iText’s HtmlConverter
class.
4. Apache PDFBox
Apache PDFBox is a powerful open-source Java library used for handling PDF documents. It can be used to create new PDF documents, manipulate existing ones, and more. Here’s how you can use Apache PDFBox for HTML to PDF conversion.
Step 1: Add Apache PDFBox Dependency
Include Apache PDFBox in your project. If you are using Maven, add the following dependency to your pom.xml
:
Step 2: Java Code to Convert HTML to PDF
Here’s a basic Java code snippet to demonstrate the conversion of HTML content to a PDF document using Apache PDFBox:
This example illustrates a simple use case of Apache PDFBox to create a PDF document with text content. Note that Apache PDFBox does not directly convert HTML to PDF but can be used to create PDFs programmatically.
Comparing the Libraries
When selecting a Java library for HTML to PDF conversion, various factors such as features, ease of use, and specific project requirements must be considered. Here’s a table comparing the libraries:
Library | Pros | Cons | Best For |
---|---|---|---|
OpenPDF | Free and open-source. Good for basic PDF generation and manipulation. | Limited advanced features. May struggle with complex HTML and CSS. | Simple PDF creation tasks where complex HTML rendering is not required. |
Flying Saucer | Good support for CSS and XHTML. Integrates well with other PDF libraries. | Does not support JavaScript. Limited to XHTML conversion. | Projects requiring accurate rendering of CSS-styled HTML. |
iText | Extensive features for PDF manipulation. Supports HTML, CSS, JavaScript. | Commercial license required for commercial use. Relatively complex API. | Robust, enterprise-level applications requiring comprehensive PDF functionalities. |
Apache PDFBox | Powerful for general PDF operations. Open-source. Supports text extraction, creation, and manipulation. | Does not directly convert HTML to PDF. More suited for lower-level PDF operations. | Custom PDF creation where direct HTML to PDF conversion is not the primary requirement. |
Conclusion
Each library has its strengths and is suited for different use cases. OpenPDF and Apache PDFBox are great for straightforward PDF manipulation, while Flying Saucer and iText offer more advanced HTML rendering capabilities. Your choice will depend on the complexity of HTML content, necessity for CSS and JavaScript support, and the level of PDF manipulation required.
Simplifying HTML to PDF Conversion with Templated
Traditional libraries often struggle with template management, PDF tracking, and complex rendering. Templated solves these issues by offering:
- A drag-and-drop template editor
- Automatic PDF tracking
- Chromium-based rendering for accurate results
- A scalable API approach
With Templated, you can streamline PDF creation, saving time and ensuring high-quality output.
This approach simplifies the process and eliminates the need for extensive manual template management and tracking. To get started with PDF generation using Templated, follow the documentation and harness the power of this efficient solution.
1. Create PDFs with templates
Using Templated you can design your PDF template using a drag-and-drop editor and then generate your PDFs with an API.
Check the video below to see an example of the editor:
After logging in you will see your Dashboard where you can manage your templates or create new ones:
From your Dashboard, you can design your own templates or customize a existing one from our Template Gallery. Bellow is the Certificate of Achievement Template you can use.
There are 100+ free templates available that you can pick and customize to your needs.
To start using Templated API, you need to get your API key that can be found on the API Integration tab on your dashboard.
Now that you have your Templated account ready, let’s see how you can integrate your application with the API. In this example we will be using a certificate template to generate PDFs.
and If we check response
we have the following
In the code above, using Templated to convert HTML to PDF is pretty simple. No additional libraries need to be installed. You only need to make a single API call, providing your data as the request body. That’s all there is to it!
You can use the renderUrl
from the response to download or distribute the generated PDF.
Other languages
You you want to learn how to convert HTML to PDF in other languages here are other resources for you to explore:
- How To Convert HTML to PDF with Python
- How To Convert HTML to PDF with C#
- How To Convert HTML to PDF with PHP
- How To Convert HTML to PDF with Node.js
Conclusion
PDF generation is now a standard part of every business application, and it shouldn’t be a source of stress for developers.
We’ve explored how to use third-party libraries for straightforward PDF generation. However, for more complex scenarios like template management, Templated offers a seamless solution through simple API calls.
To get started, sign up for a free account and begin automating your PDFs today!
Automate your content with Templated