Hello,

I'm currently building a system which creates a pdf from a selection of external html pages using html to pdf. I'm utilising the HtmlToPdf.Options.Follow functionality to merge html pages straight after one another to prevent forcing the content onto a new pdf page. The problem I am having is that I'm using different column values for each html page merged to the pdf, which is causing text to overlap. It's fine when you go from a 2 column layout to a 1 column layout but when it's the other way round, it causes text to overlap when the html flows from the left hand column to the right hand column . I get the impression that this occurs because the HtmlToPdf.Options.Follow functionality is only concerned with the starting point of proceeding merged html page and not the html that follows it.

I would appreciate any feedback you having regarding this problem.

Code for my system is below:

Dim fronturl As String = String.Format("{0}pdfgen/projectorbrochurefront.aspx?Culture={1}&PC={2}", domainURL, UserCulture, PC)
Dim introurl = String.Format("{0}pdfgen/projectorbrochureintro.aspx?Culture={1}&PC={2}&IsBrochure={3}", domainURL, UserCulture, PC, "False")
Dim mainurl = String.Format("{0}pdfgen/projectorbrochure.aspx?Culture={1}&PC={2}&IsBrochure={3}", domainURL, UserCulture, PC, "False")
Dim backurl As String = String.Format("{0}pdfgen/projectorbrochurespec.aspx?Culture={1}&PC={2}&IsBrochure={3}", domainURL, UserCulture, PC, "True")

Dim doc As New EO.Pdf.PdfDocument()
HtmlToPdf.Options.OutputArea = New RectangleF(-0.0F, -0.0F, 8.5F - -0.0F - -0.0F, 11.0F - -0.0F - -0.0F)
HtmlToPdf.Options.ColumnCount = 1
HtmlToPdf.Options.PageSize = PdfPageSizes.A4
HtmlToPdf.Options.JpegQualityLevel = 100
HtmlToPdf.Options.AutoAdjustForDPI = False
HtmlToPdf.ConvertUrl(fronturl, doc)
HtmlToPdf.Options.ColumnCount = 1
HtmlToPdf.Options.OutputArea = New RectangleF(0.5F, 0.5F, 7.5F, 10.0F)
HtmlToPdf.Options.PageSize = PdfPageSizes.A4
HtmlToPdf.Options.Follow(HtmlToPdf.ConvertUrl(introurl, doc))
HtmlToPdf.Options.ColumnCount = 2
HtmlToPdf.Options.OutputArea = New RectangleF(0.5F, 0.5F, 7.5F, 10.0F)
HtmlToPdf.Options.PageSize = PdfPageSizes.A4
HtmlToPdf.Options.JpegQualityLevel = 90
HtmlToPdf.Options.AutoFitX = False
HtmlToPdf.Options.AutoFitY = False
HtmlToPdf.ConvertUrl(mainurl, doc)
HtmlToPdf.Options.ColumnCount = 1
HtmlToPdf.ConvertUrl(backurl, doc)

Dim response As HttpResponse = HttpContext.Current.Response
response.Clear()
response.ClearHeaders()
response.AddHeader("Content-Disposition", String.Format("attachment;filename={0}-{1}.pdf", PC, UserCulture))
response.ContentType = "application/pdf"
doc.Save(response.OutputStream)

Thanks for your reply.

Unfortunately the solution you suggested would be not be suitable for this project as I do not want a top margin to be applied on the proceeding pages.

Are there not any other alternative solutions to this problem? I'm currently in the process of looking into trial versions of html to pdf libraries to be used with my business. This problem is a bit of deal breaker for me and my company so I may have to look into alternative solutions If I am unable to fix this using your product. I have looked into PDFreactor and they have a potential solution to this problem.

Would appreciate any more feedback you have as we would seriously look into the possibility of purchasing some developer licences if we get this solved.

We would be looking at 3 licences. I'll have to speak with my manager about it first as it would be a big risk for us to commit to your product before we are properly assured that you will implement a solution for this scenario.

Thanks

Ok thank you very much.

Let me know what you need from me.

Thanks

Hi,

We have posted a new build that implemented this feature. In the new build, after calling Follow (which set StartPosition based on the previous conversion result), you will need to call:



This will cause StartPosition to be applied to all columns, not just the first column. Please let us know if this works for you.

We will PM you the download location shortly.

Thanks!

Great. Thanks for confirming that it works for you. Please feel free to let us know if there is anything else.

You are very welcome. Glad to hear that it's working for you.