Create PDF file in .NET MAUI

3 Jul 202424 minutes to read

The Syncfusion .NET MAUI PDF library is used to create, read, and edit PDF documents. This library also includes functions for merging, splitting, stamping, forms, and securing PDF files and more. Using this library, you can create a PDF document in the .NET MAUI application.

Prerequisites:

To create .NET Multi-platform App UI (.NET MAUI) apps, you need the latest versions of Visual Studio 2022 and .NET 6. For more details, refer here.

Steps to create PDF document programmatically in .NET MAUI

NOTE

Our PDF library is currently supported in .NET MAUI applications on the Android, iOS, and Windows platform. Currently, the PDF library is not supported in the Mac Catalyst platform.

Step 1: Create a new project in VS2022, select the .NET MAUI App (Preview) template, and click the Next button.
.NET MAUI sample creation step1

Step 2: Enter the project name and click Create.
.NET MAUI sample configure project

Step 3: Install the Syncfusion.Pdf.Net NuGet package as a reference to your project from the NuGet.org.
.NET MAUI NuGet package reference

NOTE

Starting with v16.2.0.x, if you reference Syncfusion assemblies from trial setup or from the NuGet feed, you also have to add “Syncfusion.Licensing” assembly reference and include a license key in your projects. Please refer to this link to know about registering Syncfusion license key in your application to use our components.

Step 4: Add a new button to the MainWindow.xaml as shown below.

<ContentPage xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/dotnet/2021/maui"
                xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2009/xaml"
                x:Class="CreatePdfDemoSample.MainPage"
                BackgroundColor="{DynamicResource SecondaryColor}">
        <ScrollView>
       
          <Button 
                   Text="Create PDF"
                   FontAttributes="Bold"
                   Grid.Row="3"
                   Clicked="createPdf_Click"
                   HorizontalOptions="Center" 
                   VerticalOptions="Center"/>
         </ScrollView>
   </ContentPage>

Step 5: Include the following namespaces in the MainWindow.xaml.cs file.

using CreatePdfDemoSample.Services;
       using Syncfusion.Pdf;
       using Syncfusion.Pdf.Graphics;
       using Syncfusion.Pdf.Grid;
       using Syncfusion.Drawing;
       using System.Reflection;
       using System.Xml.Linq;

Step 6: Add a new action method createPdf_Click in MainWindow.xaml.cs and include the below code snippet to generate a PDF document using the PdfDocument class. The PdfTextElement is used to add text in a PDF document and which provides the layout result of the added text by using the location of the next element that decides to prevent content overlapping. Load image stream from the local files on disk and draw the images through the DrawImage method of the PdfGraphics class. The PdfGrid allows you to create table by entering data manually or from an external data sources and include helper classes, methods and required files in the assets folder.

//Create a new PDF document.
       PdfDocument document = new();
       //Add a page to the document.
       PdfPage page = document.Pages.Add();
       //Create PDF graphics for the page.
       PdfGraphics graphics = page.Graphics;
   
       RectangleF TotalPriceCellBounds = RectangleF.Empty;
       RectangleF QuantityCellBounds = RectangleF.Empty;
   
       //Get the page width and height
       float pageWidth = page.GetClientSize().Width;
       float pageHeight = page.GetClientSize().Height;
   
       //Set the header height
       float headerHeight = 90;
       //Create brush with light blue color. 
       PdfColor lightBlue = Color.FromArgb(255, 91, 126, 215);
       PdfBrush lightBlueBrush = new PdfSolidBrush(lightBlue);
       //Create brush with dark blue color. 
       PdfColor darkBlue = Color.FromArgb(255, 65, 104, 209);
       PdfBrush darkBlueBrush = new PdfSolidBrush(darkBlue);
       //Create brush with white color. 
       PdfBrush whiteBrush = new PdfSolidBrush(Color.FromArgb(255, 255, 255, 255));
   
       //Get the font file stream from assembly. 
       Assembly assembly = typeof(MainPage).GetTypeInfo().Assembly;
       string basePath = "CreatePdfDemoSample.Resources.Pdf.";
       Stream fontStream = assembly.GetManifestResourceStream(basePath + "arial.ttf");
   
       //Create PdfTrueTypeFont from stream with different size. 
       PdfTrueTypeFont headerFont = new(fontStream, 30, PdfFontStyle.Regular);
       PdfTrueTypeFont arialRegularFont = new(fontStream, 18, PdfFontStyle.Regular);
       PdfTrueTypeFont arialBoldFont = new(fontStream, 9, PdfFontStyle.Bold);
   
       //Create string format.
       PdfStringFormat format = new();
       format.Alignment = PdfTextAlignment.Center;
       format.LineAlignment = PdfVerticalAlignment.Middle;
   
       float y = 0;
       float x = 0;
   
       //Set the margins of address.
       float margin = 30;
   
       //Set the line space.
       float lineSpace = 10;
   
       //Create border pen and draw the border to PDF page. 
       PdfColor borderColor = Color.FromArgb(255, 142, 170, 219);
       PdfPen borderPen = new(borderColor, 1f);
       graphics.DrawRectangle(borderPen, new RectangleF(0, 0, pageWidth, pageHeight));
   
       //Create a new PdfGrid 
       PdfGrid grid = new();
   
       //Add five columns to the grid.
       grid.Columns.Add(5);
   
       //Create the header row of the grid.
       PdfGridRow[] headerRow = grid.Headers.Add(1);
   
       //Set style to the header row and set value to the header cells. 
       headerRow[0].Style.BackgroundBrush = new PdfSolidBrush(new PdfColor(68, 114, 196));
       headerRow[0].Style.TextBrush = PdfBrushes.White;
       headerRow[0].Cells[0].Value = "Product ID";
       headerRow[0].Cells[0].StringFormat.Alignment = PdfTextAlignment.Center;
       headerRow[0].Cells[1].Value = "Product Name";
       headerRow[0].Cells[2].Value = "Price ($)";
       headerRow[0].Cells[3].Value = "Quantity";
       headerRow[0].Cells[4].Value = "Total ($)";
   
       //Add products to the grid table.
       AddProducts("CA-1098", "AWC Logo Cap", 8.99, 2, 17.98, grid);
       AddProducts("LJ-0192", "Long-Sleeve Logo Jersey,M", 49.99, 3, 149.97, grid);
       AddProducts("So-B909-M", "Mountain Bike Socks,M", 9.50, 2, 19, grid);
       AddProducts("LJ-0192", "Long-Sleeve Logo Jersey,M", 49.99, 4, 199.96, grid);
       AddProducts("FK-5136", "ML Fork", 175.49, 6, 1052.94, grid);
       AddProducts("HL-U509", "Sports-100 Helmet,Black", 34.99, 1, 34.99, grid);
   
       #region Header         
   
       //Fill the header with light blue brush 
       graphics.DrawRectangle(lightBlueBrush, new RectangleF(0, 0, pageWidth, headerHeight));
   
       string title = "INVOICE";
   
       //Specificy the bounds for total value. 
       RectangleF headerTotalBounds = new(400, 0, pageWidth - 400, headerHeight);
   
       //Measure the string size using font. 
       SizeF textSize = headerFont.MeasureString(title);
       graphics.DrawString(title, headerFont, whiteBrush, new RectangleF(0, 0, textSize.Width + 50, headerHeight), format);
       //Draw rectangle in PDF page. 
       graphics.DrawRectangle(darkBlueBrush, headerTotalBounds);
       //Draw the toal value to PDF page. 
       graphics.DrawString("$" + GetTotalAmount(grid).ToString(), arialRegularFont, whiteBrush, new RectangleF(400, 0, pageWidth - 400, headerHeight + 10), format);
       //Create font from font stream. 
       arialRegularFont = new PdfTrueTypeFont(fontStream, 9, PdfFontStyle.Regular);
       //Set bottom line alignment and draw the text to PDF page. 
       format.LineAlignment = PdfVerticalAlignment.Bottom;
       graphics.DrawString("Amount", arialRegularFont, whiteBrush, new RectangleF(400, 0, pageWidth - 400, headerHeight / 2 - arialRegularFont.Height), format);
       #endregion
       //Measure the string size using font. 
       SizeF size = arialRegularFont.MeasureString("Invoice Number: 2058557939");
       y = headerHeight + margin;
       x = (pageWidth - margin) - size.Width;
       //Draw text to PDF page with provided font and location. 
       graphics.DrawString("Invoice Number: 2058557939", arialRegularFont, PdfBrushes.Black, new PointF(x, y));
       //Measure the string size using font.
       size = arialRegularFont.MeasureString("Date :" + DateTime.Now.ToString("dddd dd, MMMM yyyy"));
       x = (pageWidth - margin) - size.Width;
       y += arialRegularFont.Height + lineSpace;
       //Draw text to PDF page with provided font and location. 
       graphics.DrawString("Date: " + DateTime.Now.ToString("dddd dd, MMMM yyyy"), arialRegularFont, PdfBrushes.Black, new PointF(x, y));
   
       y = headerHeight + margin;
       x = margin;
       //Draw text to PDF page with provided font and location. 
       graphics.DrawString("Bill To:", arialRegularFont, PdfBrushes.Black, new PointF(x, y));
       y += arialRegularFont.Height + lineSpace;
       graphics.DrawString("Abraham Swearegin,", arialRegularFont, PdfBrushes.Black, new PointF(x, y));
       y += arialRegularFont.Height + lineSpace;
       graphics.DrawString("United States, California, San Mateo,", arialRegularFont, PdfBrushes.Black, new PointF(x, y));
       y += arialRegularFont.Height + lineSpace;
       graphics.DrawString("9920 BridgePointe Parkway,", arialRegularFont, PdfBrushes.Black, new PointF(x, y));
       y += arialRegularFont.Height + lineSpace;
       graphics.DrawString("9365550136", arialRegularFont, PdfBrushes.Black, new PointF(x, y));
   
       #region Grid
       //Set width to grid columns. 
       grid.Columns[0].Width = 110;
       grid.Columns[1].Width = 150;
       grid.Columns[2].Width = 110;
       grid.Columns[3].Width = 70;
       grid.Columns[4].Width = 100;
   
       for (int i = 0; i < grid.Headers.Count; i++)
       {
           //Set height to the grid header row. 
           grid.Headers[i].Height = 20;
           for (int j = 0; j < grid.Columns.Count; j++)
           {
               //Create string format for header cell. 
               PdfStringFormat pdfStringFormat = new();
               pdfStringFormat.LineAlignment = PdfVerticalAlignment.Middle;
               pdfStringFormat.Alignment = PdfTextAlignment.Left;
   
               //Set cell padding for header cell. 
               if (j == 0 || j == 2)
                   grid.Headers[i].Cells[j].Style.CellPadding = new PdfPaddings(30, 1, 1, 1);
               //Set string format to grid header cell. 
               grid.Headers[i].Cells[j].StringFormat = pdfStringFormat;
               //Set font to the grid header cell. 
               grid.Headers[i].Cells[j].Style.Font = arialBoldFont;
   
           }
           //Set value to the grid header cell. 
           grid.Headers[0].Cells[0].Value = "Product ID";
       }
       for (int i = 0; i < grid.Rows.Count; i++)
       {
           //Set height to the grid row. 
           grid.Rows[i].Height = 23;
           for (int j = 0; j < grid.Columns.Count; j++)
           {
               //Create string format for grid row. 
               PdfStringFormat pdfStringFormat = new();
               pdfStringFormat.LineAlignment = PdfVerticalAlignment.Middle;
               pdfStringFormat.Alignment = PdfTextAlignment.Left;
   
               //Set cell padding for grid row cell. 
               if (j == 0 || j == 2)
                   grid.Rows[i].Cells[j].Style.CellPadding = new PdfPaddings(30, 1, 1, 1);
   
               //Set string format to grid row cell. 
               grid.Rows[i].Cells[j].StringFormat = pdfStringFormat;
               //Set font to the grid row cell. 
               grid.Rows[i].Cells[j].Style.Font = arialRegularFont;
           }
       }
       //Apply built-in table style to the grid. 
       grid.ApplyBuiltinStyle(PdfGridBuiltinStyle.ListTable4Accent5);
       //Subscribing to begin cell layout event.
       grid.BeginCellLayout += Grid_BeginCellLayout;
       //Draw the PDF grid to PDF page and get the layout result. 
       PdfGridLayoutResult result = grid.Draw(page, new PointF(0, y + 40));
   
       //Using the layout result, continue to draw the text. 
       y = result.Bounds.Bottom + lineSpace;
       format = new PdfStringFormat
       {
           Alignment = PdfTextAlignment.Center
       };
       RectangleF bounds = new(QuantityCellBounds.X, y, QuantityCellBounds.Width, QuantityCellBounds.Height);
       //Draw text to PDF page based on the layout result. 
       page.Graphics.DrawString("Grand Total:", arialBoldFont, PdfBrushes.Black, bounds, format);
       //Draw the total amount value to PDF page based on the layout result. 
       bounds = new RectangleF(TotalPriceCellBounds.X, y, TotalPriceCellBounds.Width, TotalPriceCellBounds.Height);
       page.Graphics.DrawString("$" + GetTotalAmount(grid).ToString(), arialBoldFont, PdfBrushes.Black, bounds);
       #endregion
       //Create border pen with custom dash style and draw the border to page. 
       borderPen.DashStyle = PdfDashStyle.Custom;
       borderPen.DashPattern = new float[] { 3, 3 };
       graphics.DrawLine(borderPen, new PointF(0, pageHeight - 100), new PointF(pageWidth, pageHeight - 100));
   
       //Get the image file stream from assembly.
       Stream imageStream = assembly.GetManifestResourceStream(basePath + "AdventureWork.png");
   
       //Create PDF bitmap image from stream.
       PdfBitmap bitmap = new(imageStream);
       //Draw the image to PDF page. 
       graphics.DrawImage(bitmap, new RectangleF(10, pageHeight - 90, 80, 80));
   
       //Calculate the text position and draw the text to PDF page. 
       y = pageHeight - 100 + margin;
       size = arialRegularFont.MeasureString("800 Interchange Blvd.");
       x = pageWidth - size.Width - margin;
       graphics.DrawString("800 Interchange Blvd.", arialRegularFont, PdfBrushes.Black, new PointF(x, y));
   
       //Calculate the text position and draw the text to PDF page. 
       y += arialRegularFont.Height + lineSpace;
       size = arialRegularFont.MeasureString("Suite 2501,  Austin, TX 78721");
       x = pageWidth - size.Width - margin;
       graphics.DrawString("Suite 2501,  Austin, TX 78721", arialRegularFont, PdfBrushes.Black, new PointF(x, y));
   
       //Calculate the text position and draw the text to PDF page. 
       y += arialRegularFont.Height + lineSpace;
       size = arialRegularFont.MeasureString("Any Questions? support@adventure-works.com");
       x = pageWidth - size.Width - margin;
       graphics.DrawString("Any Questions? support@adventure-works.com", arialRegularFont, PdfBrushes.Black, new PointF(x, y));
   
   
       //Add a new blank PDF page.
       PdfPage page1 = document.Pages.Add();
   
       //Draw the image to the PDF page.
       page1.Graphics.DrawImage(bitmap, 0, 0, 200, 200);
   
       using MemoryStream ms = new();
       //Save the PDF document to MemoryStream.
       document.Save(ms);
       //Close the PDF document.
       document.Close(true);
       ms.Position = 0;
       //Saves the memory stream as file using the SaveService instance.
       SaveService save = new SaveService();
       save.SaveAndView("output.pdf", "application/pdf", ms);
   
       void Grid_BeginCellLayout(object sender, PdfGridBeginCellLayoutEventArgs args)
       {
           PdfGrid grid = sender as PdfGrid;
           if (args.CellIndex == grid.Columns.Count - 1)
           {
               //Get the bounds of price cell in grid row. 
               TotalPriceCellBounds = args.Bounds;
           }
           else if (args.CellIndex == grid.Columns.Count - 2)
           {
               //Get the bounds of quantity cell in grid row. 
               QuantityCellBounds = args.Bounds;
           }
       }
       #region Helper Methods
       //Create and row for the grid.
       void AddProducts(string productId, string productName, double price, int quantity, double total, PdfGrid grid)
       {
           //Add a new row and set the product value to grid row cells. 
           PdfGridRow row = grid.Rows.Add();
           row.Cells[0].Value = productId;
           row.Cells[1].Value = productName;
           row.Cells[2].Value = price.ToString();
           row.Cells[3].Value = quantity.ToString();
           row.Cells[4].Value = total.ToString();
       }
       /// <summary>
       /// Get the Total amount of purcharsed items.
       /// </summary>
       private float GetTotalAmount(PdfGrid grid)
       {
           float Total = 0f;
           for (int i = 0; i < grid.Rows.Count; i++)
           {
               string cellValue = (grid.Rows[i].Cells[grid.Columns.Count - 1].Value as string)!.ToString();
               float result = float.Parse(cellValue, System.Globalization.CultureInfo.InvariantCulture);
               Total += result;
           }
           return Total;
   
       }
       #endregion

A complete working example of creating a PDF document in the .NET MAUI Desktop app can be downloaded from this link.

You can download a complete working sample from GitHub.

By executing the program in windows, you will get the PDF document as follows.
.NET MAUI output image

By executing the program in android, you will get the PDF document as follows,
.NET MAUI invoice android image

By executing the program in iOS, you will get the PDF document as follows,
.NET MAUI invoice iOS image

NOTE

You can also explore our MAUI PDF library demo that shows how to create and modify PDF files from C# with just five lines of code.

Helper files for .NET MAUI

Download the helper files from this link and add them into the mentioned project. These helper files allow you to save the stream as a physical file and open the file for viewing.

Folder Name File Name Summary
.NET MAUI Project SaveService.cs Represent the base class for save operation.
Windows SaveWindows.cs Save implementation for Windows.
Android SaveAndroid.cs Save implementation for Android device.
Mac Catalyst SaveMac.cs Save implementation for Mac Catalyst device.
iOS SaveIOS.cs Save implementation for iOS device
PreviewControllerDS.cs
QLPreviewItemFileSystem.cs
Helper classes for viewing the Pdf document in iOS device

Click here to explore the rich set of Syncfusion PDF library features.

An online sample link to create PDF document in ASP.NET Core.