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Export PDF Form Data from MVC PDF Viewer
11 Feb 20264 minutes to read
The PDF Viewer allows you to export form field data in multiple formats for easy storage or integration. Supported formats:
- FDF
- XFDF
- JSON
- JavaScript Object (for custom persistence)
Available methods
- exportFormFields(destination?, format) — Exports data to a file in the specified format.
- exportFormFieldsAsObject(format) — Exports data as a JavaScript object for custom handling.
- importFormFields(sourceOrObject, format) — Import data back into the PDF.
How to export
Use exportFormFields() with an optional destination path and the format type.
Export as FDF
The following example exports form field data as FDF.
<div style="width:100%;height:600px">
@Html.EJS().PdfViewer("pdfviewer").DocumentPath("https://cdn.syncfusion.com/content/pdf/form-filling-document.pdf").Render()
</div>
<button id="exportFdf">Export FDF</button>
<script>
document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function () {
var viewer = document.getElementById('pdfviewer').ej2_instances[0];
document.getElementById('exportFdf').addEventListener('click', function () {
// Destination is optional; if omitted the browser will prompt.
viewer.exportFormFields('FormData', "Fdf");
});
});
</script>Export as XFDF
The following example exports form field data as XFDF.
<div style="width:100%;height:600px">
@Html.EJS().PdfViewer("pdfviewer").DocumentPath("https://cdn.syncfusion.com/content/pdf/form-filling-document.pdf").Render()
</div>
<button id="exportXfdf">Export XFDF</button>
<script>
document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function () {
var viewer = document.getElementById('pdfviewer').ej2_instances[0];
document.getElementById('exportXfdf').addEventListener('click', function () {
viewer.exportFormFields('FormData', "Xfdf");
});
});
</script>Export as JSON
The following example exports form field data as JSON.
<div style="width:100%;height:600px">
@Html.EJS().PdfViewer("pdfviewer").DocumentPath("https://cdn.syncfusion.com/content/pdf/form-filling-document.pdf").Render()
</div>
<button id="exportJson">Export JSON</button>
<script>
document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function () {
var viewer = document.getElementById('pdfviewer').ej2_instances[0];
document.getElementById('exportJson').addEventListener('click', function () {
viewer.exportFormFields('FormData', "Json");
});
});
</script>Export as Object
Use exportFormFieldsAsObject() to obtain form data as a JavaScript object for database or API integration.
<div style="width:100%;height:600px">
@Html.EJS().PdfViewer("pdfviewer").DocumentPath("https://cdn.syncfusion.com/content/pdf/form-filling-document.pdf").Render()
</div>
<button id="exportObj">Export Object</button>
<script>
document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function () {
var viewer = document.getElementById('pdfviewer').ej2_instances[0];
var exportedData = undefined;
document.getElementById('exportObj').addEventListener('click', function () {
viewer.exportFormFieldsAsObject(FormFieldDataFormat.Fdf).then(function (data) {
exportedData = data; // Persist or send to server
console.log('Exported object:', exportedData);
});
// Alternatives:
// viewer.exportFormFieldsAsObject(FormFieldDataFormat.Xfdf).then(...)
// viewer.exportFormFieldsAsObject(FormFieldDataFormat.Json).then(...)
});
});
</script>Common Use Cases
- Save user-entered data to your server without altering the original PDF.
- Export as JSON for REST API integration.
- Export as FDF/XFDF for compatibility with other PDF tools.
- Export as Object to merge with app state or store securely.
- Automate exports after validation using validateFormFields()