How to create pdf file in node js

Question

I am creating an application in node.js utilizing the sails framework. I want to create a report in PDF format. The report needs to contain a chart generated using chart.js. The data is fetched from mongodb and displayed on a canvas. How can I create a PDF file of this chart using node.js?

@MihaiIorga I tries pdfkit. But problem is how i can include the chart data(pie diagrom) which is generated using chart.js ? rest is working well. — Ritz
– Ritz, Commented Aug 6, 2016 at 9:38

Moe · Accepted Answer · 2021-12-20 19:40:59Z

11

You can use pdf-creator-node package to create PDF

Following are the steps to create PDF in Node Application

Installation install the pdf creator package by the following command

npm i pdf-creator-node

Add required packages and read HTML template

//Required package
var pdf = require("pdf-creator-node")
var fs = require('fs')

// Read HTML Template
var html = fs.readFileSync('template.html', 'utf8')

Create your HTML Template

<!DOCTYPE html>
 <html>
    <head>
        <meta charset="utf-8" />
        <title>Hello world!</title>
    </head>
    <body>
        <h1>User List</h1>
        <ul>
            {{#each users}}
            <li>Name: {{this.name}}</li>
            <li>Age: {{this.age}}</li>
            <br>
        {{/each}}
        </ul>
    </body>
</html>

Provide Format and Orientation as per your need

"height": "10.5in", // allowed units: mm, cm, in, px
"width": "8in", // allowed units: mm, cm, in, px

or -

"format": "Letter", // allowed units: A3, A4, A5, Legal, Letter, Tabloid "orientation": "portrait", // portrait or landscape

var options = { format: "A3", orientation: "portrait", border: "10mm" };

Provide HTML, User data and pdf path for the output

var users = [
    {
        name:"Shyam",
        age:"26"
    },
    {
        name:"Navjot",
        age:"26"
    },
    {
        name:"Vitthal",
        age:"26"
    }
]
var document = {
    html: html,
    data: {
        users: users
    },
    path: "./output.pdf"
};

After setting all parameters just pass document and options to pdf.create method.

pdf.create(document, options)
    .then(res => {
        console.log(res)
    })
    .catch(error => {
        console.error(error)
    });

edited Dec 20, 2021 at 19:40

Moe

5072 silver badges16 bronze badges

answered Oct 23, 2019 at 19:28

Shyam Hajare

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2 Comments

Shyam Hajare Over a year ago

Hi, efkah you can add dynamic content in HTML. please check README file npmjs.com/package/pdf-creator-node

Dapu Over a year ago

I think he did provide dynamic content over here in example in answer, look at the users parameter in document object. I don't think anything more is needed, unless one wants him to write even the application logic.

Nick Bull · Accepted Answer · 2016-08-04 12:20:52Z

7

PDFKit.

Installation:

npm install pdfkit

Example:

var PDFDocument = require('pdfkit');

doc = new PDFDocument;    
doc.pipe(fs.createWriteStream('output.pdf'));    
doc.font('fonts/PalatinoBold.ttf').fontSize(25).text(100, 100);

answered Aug 4, 2016 at 12:20

Nick Bull

9,9567 gold badges39 silver badges68 bronze badges

3 Comments

Ritz Over a year ago

where i should write this code? In controller or in js file @Nick Bull?

Ritz Over a year ago

I tries this one. But problem is how i can include the chart data(pie diagrom) which is generated using chart.js ? rest is working well.

Lee Goddard Over a year ago

How does this answer the question of how to include the output of chart.js?

Lee Goddard · Accepted Answer · 2023-11-07 12:52:11Z

Disclaimer: the author of this post is the author of the module being recommended in the post.

The simplest way to generate PDFs using NodeJS is to use the pdf-master package. You can generate static and dynamic PDFs using HTML with one function call.

Installation

npm install pdf-master

Example

Step 1 - Add required packages and generate a PDF

const express = require("express");
const pdfMaster = require("pdf-master");
const app = express();

app.get("", async (req, res) => {

  var PDF = await pdfMaster.generatePdf("template.hbs");

  res.contentType("application/pdf");
  res.status(200).send(PDF);
});

generatePdf() syntax and parameters

generatePdf(
  templatePath, //<string>
  data, //<object>   Pass data to template(optional)
  options //<object>   PDF format options(optional)
);

Step 2 - Create your HTML Template (save the template with .hbs extension instead of .html)

    <!DOCTYPE html>
    <html>
      <head>
        <meta charset="UTF-8" />
      </head>
      <body>
        <h1>Hello World</h1>
      </body>
    </html>

Render dynamic data in template and PDF format options

const express = require("express");
const pdfMaster = require("pdf-master");

const app = express();

app.get("", async (req, res) => {

  var students = {
      {
          id: 1,
          name: "Sam",
          age: 21
      },
      {
          id: 2,
          name: "Jhon",
          age: 20
      },
      {
          id: 3,
          name: "Jim",
          age: 24
      }
  }

  let options = {
    displayHeaderFooter: true,
    format: "A4",
    headerTemplate: `<h3> Header </h3>`,
    footerTemplate: `<h3> Copyright 2023 </h3>`,
    margin: { top: "80px", bottom: "100px" },
  };

  let PDF = await pdfMaster.generatePdf("template.hbs", students, options);
  res.contentType("application/pdf");
  res.status(200).send(PDF);
});

To learn more about pdf-master visit

Where is the PDF file created? Is it possible to specify a path?

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