iTextSharp: Your Guide to HTML-to-PDF Conversion

This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough of using the iTextSharp library to convert HTML content into PDF documents. We'll explore the key differences between HTML and PDF, the mechanics of HTML parsing within iTextSharp, and provide a practical coding example.

HTML vs. PDF: A Fundamental Difference

Before diving into the code, understanding the core distinctions between HTML and PDF is crucial. HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) structures web page content, relying on browsers for visual rendering. PDF (Portable Document Format), conversely, is a self-contained document format with fixed layouts, fonts, and graphics, ensuring consistent display across various platforms.

iTextSharp's Role in HTML Parsing

iTextSharp bridges the gap between these formats through its HTML parsing capabilities. It utilizes HTMLWorker (and the more modern XMLWorker) to extract information from HTML strings and transform them into PDF-compatible elements.

Practical Example: Converting HTML to PDF

The following code snippet demonstrates a basic HTML-to-PDF conversion using iTextSharp:

// Assuming iTextSharp libraries are imported
byte[] bytes;

using (var ms = new MemoryStream())
{
    using (var doc = new Document())
    {
        using (var writer = PdfWriter.GetInstance(doc, ms))
        {
            doc.Open();

            // HTML content to convert (example)
            var html = @"
This is a sample.
";

            //  (Further code to parse the HTML using HTMLWorker or XMLWorker would go here)

            doc.Close();
        }
    }
    bytes = ms.ToArray();
}

This code sets up a MemoryStream, Document, and PdfWriter. The HTML content is then processed (the detailed parsing using HTMLWorker or XMLWorker is omitted for brevity but is a crucial next step). Finally, the PDF is generated.

Advanced Considerations

• CSS Support: XMLWorker offers superior support for both inline and external CSS stylesheets, allowing for more precise control over the PDF's visual presentation.

• CSS Break Module: The CSS Break Module Level 3 (css-break-3) provides a standardized approach to HTML-to-PDF conversion, improving layout accuracy and pagination. While still a candidate recommendation, it's a promising development.

• Framework Independence: Remember that iTextSharp only handles the HTML parsing. Extracting HTML from frameworks like ASP.NET MVC or Razor requires separate mechanisms.

This guide provides a foundational understanding of using iTextSharp for HTML-to-PDF conversion. By mastering the techniques outlined here, you can effectively leverage this powerful library in your projects.