Overview of the JavaScript PDF Library

23 Jul 20262 minutes to read

The JavaScript PDF Library is a lightweight, high-performance non-UI library written natively in JavaScript for generating PDF documents in both Node.js and browser environments. It enables developers to integrate robust PDF functionality into their applications for creating, reading, and editing PDF documents, and does not require Adobe Acrobat. Designed to work across JavaScript, TypeScript, Angular, React, Vue, ASP.NET Core, and ASP.NET MVC, the JavaScript PDF Library supports programmatic generation of PDF reports with rich content, including formatted text, images, shapes, hyperlinks, and lists. The library is compliant with PDF 1.7 (ISO 32000-1) and PDF 2.0 (ISO 32000-2:2020), and produces output compatible with all major PDF readers.

Key features

The following are the key features of this JavaScript PDF Library.

  • Create PDF documents from scratch with ease.
  • Load, edit, and save existing PDF files.
  • Open and manipulate password-protected PDF documents.
  • Enhance PDFs by adding text, images, shapes, and other graphical elements.
  • Add and manage interactive components such as bookmarks, annotations, and form fields.
  • Flatten form fields and annotations for a finalized document.
  • Import and export form field data and annotations seamlessly.
  • Merge multiple PDFs or split a document into separate files.
  • Apply text watermarks, image watermarks, and watermark annotations.
  • Insert hyperlinks for both web and document navigation.
  • Add, remove, or modify bookmarks for better document organization.
  • Create, remove, and flatten layers within PDFs.
  • Design and apply templates for consistent layouts and branding.
  • Digitally sign PDF documents for secure authentication.
  • Extract or redact text from PDF files.
  • Extract images from PDF documents.
  • Redact shapes to protect sensitive graphical content.

Supported environments

Environment Get started
Node.js Create PDF in Node.js
JavaScript Create PDF in JavaScript
TypeScript Create PDF in TypeScript
Angular Create PDF in Angular
React Create PDF in React
Vue Create PDF in Vue
ASP.NET Core Create PDF in ASP.NET Core
ASP.NET MVC Create PDF in ASP.NET MVC

Licensing

A valid Syncfusion license is required to use the JavaScript PDF Library in commercial applications. A free community license is available for individuals and small businesses; trial licenses are available for evaluation.

If the license is not registered, the generated PDFs include a watermark and an evaluation notice.

Next steps