Working with .NET PDF Tables

23 Jul 20267 minutes to read

The Syncfusion® .NET PDF library provides support for two types of PDF table models that offer different levels of customization. The two table models are:

  1. PdfGrid* (Recommended)
  2. PdfLightTable

NOTE

We strongly recommend using PdfGrid for creating tables in PDF documents because it represents a flexible grid that supports a wider range of row and column customizations. Use PdfLightTable only when you need a lightweight table with minimal formatting requirements.

Choosing the right table model

Use the following guidelines to choose between PdfGrid and PdfLightTable:

Choose PdfGrid when you need:

  • Direct, typed access to individual rows, columns, and cells.
  • Row span and column span support.
  • Nested grids (a grid inside a cell).
  • Built-in table styles and rich cell formatting.

Choose PdfLightTable when you need:

  • A lightweight table for simple, data-bound reports.
  • Minimal code and fewer customizations.
  • Compatibility with legacy code that uses the PdfLightTable API.

Difference between PdfLightTable and PdfGrid

Both the PdfGrid and PdfLightTable models are supported across all the platforms and the following table explains the level of customizations both the models provide.

Features PdfLightTable PdfGrid

Formatting
Row No direct API, possible through events. Yes
Column Yes (StringFormat) Yes (StringFormat)
Cell No direct API for single cell formatting, possible through events. Yes

Others
Row span No Yes
Column span No direct API, possible through events. Yes
Nested Grid Possible through events Yes
Layout Events BeginCellLayout, BeginPageLayout, BeginRowLayout, EndCellLayout, EndPageLayout, EndRowLayout BeginPageLayout, EndPageLayout