Export To PDF in UWP DataGrid (SfDataGrid)

28 Feb 202524 minutes to read

SfDataGrid provides support to export data to PDF file. It also provides support for grouping, filtering, sorting, paging, unbound rows, merged cells, stacked headers and details View while exporting.

The following assemblies needs to be added for exporting to PDF file.

Syncfusion.SfGridConverter.UWP
Syncfusion.Pdf.UWP

For NuGet package, install Syncfusion.DataGridExcelExport.UWP package. For more details refer this UG link.

You can export SfDataGrid to PDF by using the following extension methods present in the Syncfusion.UI.Xaml.Grid.Converter namespace.

ExportToPdf
ExportToPdfGrid

C#
using Syncfusion.UI.Xaml.Grid.Converter;
var document = dataGrid.ExportToPdf();
StorageFile storageFile = await KnownFolders.PicturesLibrary.CreateFileAsync("Sample" + ".pdf", CreationCollisionOption.ReplaceExisting);

if (storageFile != null)
    await document.SaveAsync(storageFile);

Export-To-PDF_img1

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Exporting Options

Exporting operation can be customized by passing PdfExportingOptions instance as argument to ExportToPdf and ExportToPdfGrid method.

Exporting with Auto column width

You can export SfDataGrid to PDF by fitting column widths based on its content by setting AutoColumnWidth property as true.

C#
PdfExportingOptions options = new PdfExportingOptions();
options.AutoColumnWidth = true;
var document = this.dataGrid.ExportToPdf(options);
StorageFile storageFile = await KnownFolders.PicturesLibrary.CreateFileAsync("Sample" + ".pdf", CreationCollisionOption.ReplaceExisting);

if (storageFile != null)
    await document.SaveAsync(storageFile);

Export-To-PDF_img3

Exporting with Auto Row height

You can export SfDataGrid to PDF by fitting row heights based on its content by setting AutoRowHeight property as true.

C#
PdfExportingOptions options = new PdfExportingOptions();
options.AutoRowHeight = true;
var document = this.dataGrid.ExportToPdf(options);
StorageFile storageFile = await KnownFolders.PicturesLibrary.CreateFileAsync("Sample" + ".pdf", CreationCollisionOption.ReplaceExisting);

if (storageFile != null)
    await document.SaveAsync(storageFile);

Export-To-PDF_img4

Exclude columns while exporting

By default, all the columns (including hidden columns) in SfDataGrid will be exported to PDF. If you want to exclude some columns while exporting to PDF, you can use ExcludeColumns property in PdfExportingOptions.

C#
PdfExportingOptions options = new PdfExportingOptions();
options.ExcludeColumns.Add("CustomerName");
options.ExcludeColumns.Add("Country");
var document = dataGrid.ExportToPdf(options);
StorageFile storageFile = await KnownFolders.PicturesLibrary.CreateFileAsync("Sample" + ".pdf", CreationCollisionOption.ReplaceExisting);

if (storageFile != null)
    await document.SaveAsync(storageFile);

Here, the columns having CustomerName and Country as MappingName are excluded while exporting.

Export-To-PDF_img5

Export Format

By default, display text only will be exported to PDF. If you want to export the actual value, you need to set ExportFormat property as false.

C#
PdfExportingOptions options = new PdfExportingOptions();
options.ExportFormat = false;
var document = this.dataGrid.ExportToPdf(options);
StorageFile storageFile = await KnownFolders.PicturesLibrary.CreateFileAsync("Sample" + ".pdf", CreationCollisionOption.ReplaceExisting);

if (storageFile != null)
    await document.SaveAsync(storageFile);

Export-To-PDF_img6

Column header on each page

Column headers can be exported on each page by setting RepeatHeaders property.

C#
PdfExportingOptions options = new PdfExportingOptions();
options.RepeatHeaders = true;
var document = dataGrid.ExportToPdf(options);            
StorageFile storageFile = await KnownFolders.PicturesLibrary.CreateFileAsync("Sample" + ".pdf", CreationCollisionOption.ReplaceExisting);

if (storageFile != null)
    await document.SaveAsync(storageFile);

Export all column in one page

While exporting to PDF, you can fit all columns on one page by setting FitAllColumnsInOnePage property as true.

C#
PdfExportingOptions options = new PdfExportingOptions();
options.FitAllColumnsInOnePage = true;
var document = this.dataGrid.ExportToPdf(options);
StorageFile storageFile = await KnownFolders.PicturesLibrary.CreateFileAsync("Sample" + ".pdf", CreationCollisionOption.ReplaceExisting);

if (storageFile != null)
    await document.SaveAsync(storageFile);

Export paging

While exporting data to PDF, if paging is used, current page only will be exported, by default. If you want to export all pages, you need to set ExportAllPages property as true.

C#
PdfExportingOptions options = new PdfExportingOptions();
options.ExportAllPages = true;      
var document = dataGrid.ExportToPdf(options);
StorageFile storageFile = await KnownFolders.PicturesLibrary.CreateFileAsync("Sample" + ".pdf", CreationCollisionOption.ReplaceExisting);

if (storageFile != null)
    await document.SaveAsync(storageFile);

Export-To-PDF_img7

Exclude groups while exporting

By default, all the groups in SfDataGrid will be exported to PDF. If you want to export without Groups, you need to set ExportGroups property as false.

C#
PdfExportingOptions options = new PdfExportingOptions();
options.ExportGroups = false;
var document = dataGrid.ExportToPdf(options);     
StorageFile storageFile = await KnownFolders.PicturesLibrary.CreateFileAsync("Sample" + ".pdf", CreationCollisionOption.ReplaceExisting);

if (storageFile != null)
    await document.SaveAsync(storageFile);

Export-To-PDF_img8

Exclude group Summaries while exporting

By default, group summaries in SfDataGrid will be exported to PDF. If you want to export without group summaries, you need to set ExportGroupSummary property as false.

C#
PdfExportingOptions options = new PdfExportingOptions();
options.ExportGroupSummary = true;
var document = this.dataGrid.ExportToPdf(options);
StorageFile storageFile = await KnownFolders.PicturesLibrary.CreateFileAsync("Sample" + ".pdf", CreationCollisionOption.ReplaceExisting);

if (storageFile != null)
    await document.SaveAsync(storageFile);

Export-To-PDF_img9

Exclude table Summaries while exporting

By default, table summaries in SfDataGrid will be exported to PDF. If you want to export without table summaries, you need to set ExportTableSummary property as false.

C#
PdfExportingOptions options = new PdfExportingOptions();
options.ExportTableSummary = true;
var document = this.dataGrid.ExportToPdf(options);
StorageFile storageFile = await KnownFolders.PicturesLibrary.CreateFileAsync("Sample" + ".pdf", CreationCollisionOption.ReplaceExisting);

if (storageFile != null)
    await document.SaveAsync(storageFile);

Export-To-PDF_img10

Exporting unbound rows

You can export unbound rows to PDF by setting ExportUnBoundRows property as true.

C#
PdfExportingOptions options = new PdfExportingOptions();
options.ExportUnBoundRows = true;
var document = this.dataGrid.ExportToPdf(options);
StorageFile storageFile = await KnownFolders.PicturesLibrary.CreateFileAsync("Sample" + ".pdf", CreationCollisionOption.ReplaceExisting);

if (storageFile != null)
    await document.SaveAsync(storageFile);

Export-To-PDF_img11

Exporting stacked headers

You can export stacked headers to PDF by setting ExportStackedHeaders property to true.

C#
PdfExportingOptions options = new PdfExportingOptions();
options.ExportStackedHeaders = true;
var document = this.dataGrid.ExportToPdf(options);
StorageFile storageFile = await KnownFolders.PicturesLibrary.CreateFileAsync("Sample" + ".pdf", CreationCollisionOption.ReplaceExisting);

if (storageFile != null)
    await document.SaveAsync(storageFile);

Export-To-PDF_img12

Exporting merged cells

You can export merged cells to PDF by setting ExportMergedCells property as true.

C#
PdfExportingOptions options = new PdfExportingOptions();
options.ExportMergedCells = true;
var document = this.dataGrid.ExportToPdf(options);
StorageFile storageFile = await KnownFolders.PicturesLibrary.CreateFileAsync("Sample" + ".pdf", CreationCollisionOption.ReplaceExisting);

if (storageFile != null)
    await document.SaveAsync(storageFile);

Export-To-PDF_img13

Setting Header and Footer

SfDataGrid provides a way to display additional content at the top (Header) or bottom (Footer) of the page while exporting to PDF. This can be achieved by setting PageHeaderFooterEventHandler in PdfExportingOptions.

You can insert string, image or any drawing in header and footer in PdfHeaderFooterEventHandler. Setting PdfPageTemplateElement to PdfHeaderFooterEventArgs.PdfDocumentTemplate.Top loads the content at top of the page and setting the PdfPageTemplateElement to PdfHeaderFooterEventArgs.PdfDocumentTemplate.Bottom loads the content at bottom of the page.

C#
PdfExportingOptions options = new PdfExportingOptions();
options.PageHeaderFooterEventHandler = PdfHeaderFooterEventHandler;
var document = this.dataGrid.ExportToPdf(options);
StorageFile storageFile = await KnownFolders.PicturesLibrary.CreateFileAsync("Sample" + ".pdf", CreationCollisionOption.ReplaceExisting);

if (storageFile != null)
    await document.SaveAsync(storageFile);

static void PdfHeaderFooterEventHandler(object sender, PdfHeaderFooterEventArgs e)
{
    PdfFont font = new PdfStandardFont(PdfFontFamily.TimesRoman, 20f,  PdfFontStyle.Bold);
    var width = e.PdfPage.GetClientSize().Width;
    PdfPageTemplateElement header = new PdfPageTemplateElement(width, 38);
    header.Graphics.DrawString("Order Details", font, PdfPens.Black, 70, 3);
    e.PdfDocumentTemplate.Top = header;
}

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Here, string is inserted in the header of exported PDF file using DrawString method. Similarly, you can insert image, line,etc. using DrawImage, DrawLine methods respectively.

Change PDF page orientation

You can change the page orientation of PDF while exporting. The default page orientation is Portrait.

To change the page orientation, you need to get the exported PdfGrid by using ExportToPdfGrid method and then draw that PdfGrid into a PdfDocument by changing the PageSettings.Orientation property of PdfDocument.

C#
var options = new PdfExportingOptions();
var document = new PdfDocument();
document.PageSettings.Orientation = PdfPageOrientation.Landscape;
var page = document.Pages.Add();
var PDFGrid = dataGrid.ExportToPdfGrid(dataGrid.View, options);
var format = new PdfGridLayoutFormat()
{
    Layout = PdfLayoutType.Paginate,
    Break = PdfLayoutBreakType.FitPage
};
PDFGrid.Draw(page, new PointF(), format);
StorageFile storageFile = await KnownFolders.PicturesLibrary.CreateFileAsync("Sample" + ".pdf", CreationCollisionOption.ReplaceExisting);

if (storageFile != null)
    await document.SaveAsync(storageFile);

Export SelectedItems to PDF

By default, entire grid will be exported to PDF. You can export selected items only by passing SelectedItems to ExportToPdf and ExportToPdfGrid methods.

C#
var options = new PdfExportingOptions();
options.AutoColumnWidth = true;
var document = this.dataGrid.ExportToPdf(this.dataGrid.SelectedItems, options);
StorageFile storageFile = await KnownFolders.PicturesLibrary.CreateFileAsync("Sample" + ".pdf", CreationCollisionOption.ReplaceExisting);

if (storageFile != null)
    await document.SaveAsync(storageFile);

Export-To-PDF_img15

Saving options

Save as stream

After exporting to PDF, you can save exported PDF file to stream by using Save method.

C#
var options = new PdfExportingOptions();
var document = dataGrid.ExportToPdf();
FileStream stream = null;
string directory = @"C:\Users\administrator\Documents\output.pdf";
await Task.Run(() =>
{
    stream = new FileStream(directory, FileMode.Create);
});          
document.Save(stream);
document.Close();

Save using FileSavePicker

After exporting to PDF, you can save exported PDF file by opening FileSavePicker.

C#
var options = new PdfExportingOptions();
var document = dataGrid.ExportToPdf();
var savePicker = new FileSavePicker
{
    SuggestedStartLocation = PickerLocationId.Desktop,
    SuggestedFileName = "Sample"
};
savePicker.FileTypeChoices.Add("PDF File (.pdf)", new List<string>() { ".pdf" });
var storageFile = await savePicker.PickSaveFileAsync();

if (storageFile != null)
    await document.SaveAsync(storageFile);
var messageDialog = new MessageDialog("Do you want to view the Document?", "File has been created successfully.");
var yesCmd = new UICommand("Yes");
var noCmd = new UICommand("No");
messageDialog.Commands.Add(yesCmd);
messageDialog.Commands.Add(noCmd);
var cmd = await messageDialog.ShowAsync();

if (cmd == yesCmd)
{

    // Launch the saved file
    bool success = await Windows.System.Launcher.LaunchFileAsync(storageFile);
}
document.Close();

Open using FileOpenPicker

You can open the saved PDF file using FileOpenPicker.

C#
var options = new PdfExportingOptions();
var document = dataGrid.ExportToPdf();
StorageFile storageFile = await KnownFolders.PicturesLibrary.CreateFileAsync("Sample" + ".pdf", CreationCollisionOption.ReplaceExisting);

if (storageFile != null)
    await document.SaveAsync(storageFile);
FileOpenPicker openPicker = new FileOpenPicker();
openPicker.FileTypeFilter.Add(".pdf");
openPicker.SuggestedStartLocation = PickerLocationId.PicturesLibrary;
StorageFile file = await openPicker.PickSingleFileAsync();

Exporting Customization

Styling cells based on CellType in PDF

You can customize the cell styles based on CellType by using ExportingEventHandler.

C#
var options = new PdfExportingOptions();
options.ExportingEventHandler = GridPdfExportingEventHandler;
var document = dataGrid.ExportToPdf(options);
StorageFile storageFile = await KnownFolders.PicturesLibrary.CreateFileAsync("Sample" + ".pdf", CreationCollisionOption.ReplaceExisting);

if (storageFile != null)
    await document.SaveAsync(storageFile);

void GridPdfExportingEventHandler(object sender, GridPdfExportingEventArgs e)
{

    if (e.CellType == ExportCellType.HeaderCell)
        e.CellStyle.BackgroundBrush = PdfBrushes.LightSteelBlue;

    else if (e.CellType == ExportCellType.GroupCaptionCell)
        e.CellStyle.BackgroundBrush = PdfBrushes.LightGray;

    else if (e.CellType == ExportCellType.RecordCell)
        e.CellStyle.BackgroundBrush = PdfBrushes.Wheat;
}

Export-To-PDF_img16

Embedding fonts in PDF file

By default, some fonts (such as Unicode font) are not supported in PDF. In this case, it is possible to embed the font in PDF document with the help of PdfTrueTypeFont.

C#
var options = new PdfExportingOptions();
options.ExportingEventHandler = GridPdfExportingEventHandler;
var document = dataGrid.ExportToPdf(options);
StorageFile storageFile = await KnownFolders.PicturesLibrary.CreateFileAsync("Sample" + ".pdf", CreationCollisionOption.ReplaceExisting);

if (storageFile != null)
    await document.SaveAsync(storageFile);

void GridPdfExportingEventHandler(object sender, GridPdfExportingEventArgs e)
{

    if (e.CellType != ExportCellType.RecordCell)
        return;
    Stream stream = typeof(MainPage).GetTypeInfo().Assembly.GetManifestResourceStream("Localization.Assets.segoeui.ttf") as Stream;
    var font = new PdfTrueTypeFont(stream, 9);
    e.CellStyle.Font = font;
}

Here, new font is created from font file and it is assigned to the Font of PdfGridCell.

Export-To-PDF_img17

Cell customization in PDF while exporting

You can customize the cells in the PDF document by setting CellsExportingEventHandler in PdfExportingOptions.

Customize cell values while exporting

You can customize the call values while exporting to PDF by using CellsExportingEventHandler and PdfExportingOptions.

C#
var options = new PdfExportingOptions();
options.CellsExportingEventHandler = CellsExportingEventHandler;
var document = dataGrid.ExportToPdf(options);
StorageFile storageFile = await KnownFolders.PicturesLibrary.CreateFileAsync("Sample" + ".pdf", CreationCollisionOption.ReplaceExisting);

if (storageFile != null)
    await document.SaveAsync(storageFile);

private void CellsExportingEventHandler(object sender, GridCellPdfExportingEventArgs e)
{

    // Based on the column mapping name and the cell type, you can change the cell values while exporting to PDF.

    if (e.CellType == ExportCellType.RecordCell && e.ColumnName == "IsClosed")
    {

        //if the cell value is True, "Y" will be displayed else "N" will be displayed.

        if (e.CellValue.Equals("True"))
            e.CellValue = "Y";

        else
            e.CellValue = "N";
    }
}

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Here, cell values are changed for IsClosed column based on custom condition.

Changing row style in PDF based on data

You can customize the rows based on the record values by using CellsExportingEventHandler.

C#
var options = new PdfExportingOptions();
options.CellsExportingEventHandler = CellsExportingEventHandler;
var document = dataGrid.ExportToPdf(options);
StorageFile storageFile = await KnownFolders.PicturesLibrary.CreateFileAsync("Sample" + ".pdf", CreationCollisionOption.ReplaceExisting);

if (storageFile != null)
    await document.SaveAsync(storageFile);
    
private void CellsExportingEventHandler(object sender, GridCellPdfExportingEventArgs e)
{

    if (!(e.NodeEntry is OrderInfo))
        return;
        
    if ((e.NodeEntry as OrderInfo).Country == "Mexico")
    {
        var cellStyle = new PdfGridCellStyle();
        cellStyle.BackgroundBrush = PdfBrushes.LightPink;
        cellStyle.Borders.All = new PdfPen(PdfBrushes.DarkGray, 0.2f);
        e.PdfGridCell.Style = cellStyle;
    }
}

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Exporting images to PDF document

By default, images which is loaded in the GridTemplateColumn will not be exported to PDF. You can export it by using CellsExportingEventHandler in PdfExportingOptions. In CellsExportingEventHandler, image is loaded in PdfGridCell.

C#
var options = new PdfExportingOptions();
options.CellsExportingEventHandler = CellsExportingEventHandler;        
var document = dataGrid.ExportToPdf(options);
StorageFile storageFile = await KnownFolders.PicturesLibrary.CreateFileAsync("Sample" + ".pdf", CreationCollisionOption.ReplaceExisting);

if (storageFile != null)
    await document.SaveAsync(storageFile);

private void CellsExportingEventHandler(object sender, GridCellPdfExportingEventArgs e)
{

    if (e.CellType == ExportCellType.RecordCell && e.ColumnName == "IsClosed")
    {
        var style = new PdfGridCellStyle();
        PdfPen normalBorder = new PdfPen(PdfBrushes.DarkGray, 0.2f);

        //Images are exported based on the CellValue 

        if (e.CellValue.Equals("True"))
        {

            //Access the image from the specified path 
            style.BackgroundImage = PDFImage.FromStream(typeof(MainPage).GetTypeInfo().Assembly.GetManifestResourceStream("Localization.Images.True.png") as Stream);
        }

        else
        {
            style.BackgroundImage = PDFImage.FromStream(typeof(MainPage).GetTypeInfo().Assembly.GetManifestResourceStream("Localization.Images.False.png") as Stream);
        }
        e.PdfGridCell.ImagePosition = PdfGridImagePosition.Fit;
        e.PdfGridCell.Style = style;

        //customize the Border color of PdfGridCell
        e.PdfGridCell.Style.Borders.All = normalBorder;
        e.CellValue = null;
    }
}

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Exporting DetailsView

By default, DetailsViewDataGrid will not be exported to PDF. You can export DetailsViewDataGrid by setting ExportDetailsView property as true.

C#
PdfExportingOptions options = new PdfExportingOptions();
options.ExportDetailsView = true;
var document = dataGrid.ExportToPdf(options);
StorageFile storageFile = await KnownFolders.PicturesLibrary.CreateFileAsync("Sample" + ".pdf", CreationCollisionOption.ReplaceExisting);

if (storageFile != null)
    await document.SaveAsync(storageFile);

By default, only expanded DetailsViewDataGrid’s only will be exported to PDF document. If you want to export all the DetailsViewDataGrid, you need to set ExportAllDetails as true.

C#
var options = new PdfExportingOptions();
options.ExportDetailsView = true;
options.ExportAllDetails = true;
var document = dataGrid.ExportToPdf(options);
StorageFile storageFile = await KnownFolders.PicturesLibrary.CreateFileAsync("Sample" + ".pdf", CreationCollisionOption.ReplaceExisting);

if (storageFile != null)
    await document.SaveAsync(storageFile);

Export-To-PDF_img21

Here, first record only expanded in SfDataGrid. But all the DetailsViewDataGrid’s are shown in exported PDF document.

You can customize its exporting operation by using ChildGridExportingEventHandler.

NOTE

While exporting DetailsViewDataGrid, FitAllColumnsInOnePage is set to ‘true’ internally as horizontal pagination is not supported for DetailsViewDataGrid.

Excluding DetailsViewDataGrid while exporting

You can exclude particular DetailsViewDataGrid while exporting, by using the ChildGridExportingEventHandler and ChildGridPdfExportingEventArgs.Cancel.

C#
var options = new PdfExportingOptions();
options.ExportDetailsView = true;
options.ExportAllDetails = true;
options.ChildGridExportingEventHandler = ChildGridExportingEventHandler;
var document = dataGrid.ExportToPdf(options);
StorageFile storageFile = await KnownFolders.PicturesLibrary.CreateFileAsync("Sample" + ".pdf", CreationCollisionOption.ReplaceExisting);

if (storageFile != null)
    await document.SaveAsync(storageFile);

void ChildGridExportingEventHandler(object sender, ChildGridPdfExportingEventArgs e)
{
    var recordEntry = e.NodeEntry as RecordEntry;

    if ((recordEntry.Data as OrderInfo).OrderID == 1002)
        e.Cancel = true;
}

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Here, DetailsViewDataGrid is not exported for the parent record having OrderID as 1002.

Excluding DetailsViewDataGrid columns from exporting

You can exclude DetailsViewDataGrid columns while exporting, by using ChildGridExportingEventHandler and ChildGridPdfExportingEventArgs.PdfExportingOptions.ExcludeColumns.

C#
var options = new PdfExportingOptions();
options.ExportDetailsView = true;
options.ChildGridExportingEventHandler = ChildGridExportingEventHandler;
var document = dataGrid.ExportToPdf(options);
StorageFile storageFile = await KnownFolders.PicturesLibrary.CreateFileAsync("Sample" + ".pdf", CreationCollisionOption.ReplaceExisting);

if (storageFile != null)
    await document.SaveAsync(storageFile);
    
void ChildGridExportingEventHandler(object sender, ChildGridPdfExportingEventArgs e)
{ 
    e.PdfExportingOptions.ExcludeColumns = new List<string>() { "OrderID" };
}

Export-To-PDF_img23

Here, OrderID column is displayed in DetailsViewDataGrid and it is excluded while exporting to PDF.

Customizing DetailsViewDataGrid cells

Like parent DataGrid, you can customize the DetailsViewDataGrid cells also by using CellsExportingEventHandler. Based on GridCellPdfExportingEventArgs.GridViewDefinition property, you can identify the particular DetailsViewDataGrid and customize it.

C#
var options = new PdfExportingOptions();
options.ExportDetailsView = true;
options.CellsExportingEventHandler = CellsExportingEventHandler;
var document = dataGrid.ExportToPdf(options);
StorageFile storageFile = await KnownFolders.PicturesLibrary.CreateFileAsync("Sample" + ".pdf", CreationCollisionOption.ReplaceExisting);

if (storageFile != null)
    await document.SaveAsync(storageFile);

private void CellsExportingEventHandler(object sender, GridCellPdfExportingEventArgs e)
{

    if (e.GridViewDefinition == null || e.GridViewDefinition.RelationalColumn != "ProductDetails")                                     
        return;
        
    if (e.ColumnName == "OrderID")
    {
        var cellStyle = new PdfGridCellStyle();
        cellStyle.BackgroundBrush = PdfBrushes.Wheat;
        cellStyle.Borders.All = new PdfPen(PdfBrushes.DarkGray, 0.2f);
        e.PdfGridCell.Style = cellStyle;
    }
}