PDF News

Generate PDFs Programmatically in WPF

March 27, 2026
Allow WPF applications to create PDFs directly from code with precise control over document structure, layout, and content rendering.

Creating PDFs programmatically involves generating Portable Document Format files from application data, user input, or existing content such as text, images, or HTML. Developers implementing this capability allow the production of consistent, platform-independent documents that preserve layout and formatting across devices. It is widely used for reporting, document archiving, invoicing, and content distribution, offering benefits such as precise control over document structure, automation of document workflows, and the ability to integrate document generation directly into applications.

Several WPF PDF components allow you to create PDFs, including:

  • ComponentOne WPF PDF (part of ComponentOne Studio WPF by MESCIUS) provides a .NET API for programmatically creating PDF documents in WPF applications.
  • Telerik UI for WPF PdfProcessing (part of Telerik UI for WPF) includes a framework-independent library for generating PDF files programmatically from scratch.
  • IronPDF for .NET by Iron Software also supports WPF and provides the ability to generate PDF documents by rendering HTML, URLs, or other existing content into PDF format.
  • Syncfusion WPF PDF (part of Syncfusion Essential Studio Enterprise) includes a WPF PDF library for creating, modifying, and saving PDF documents with layout control.

For an in-depth analysis of features and price, visit our comparison of WPF PDF components.

Compare WPF PDF Components

Capture Freehand Ink Annotations in PDFs

March 26, 2026
Create apps that support handwritten notes in PDFs, allowing users to annotate documents directly with stylus, touch, or mouse input.

Freehand ink annotation support in a PDF component enables applications to capture and render freehand drawings directly on a PDF document, typically using input from a mouse, stylus, or touch device. It allows users to write, sketch, highlight, or mark up content in a natural way, with the annotations stored as standard PDF ink annotations that remain part of the document. For software developers, this capability adds interactive review and collaboration features to applications such as document viewers and form-processing systems, allowing users to provide visual feedback, sign documents, or annotate content without altering the original PDF structure.

Several .NET PDF components feature support for freehand ink annotations including:

  • Document Solutions for PDF (by MESCIUS) allows you to record freehand ink strokes and store them as standard PDF annotations for review scenarios.
  • DevExpress PDF Document API for .NET (part of DevExpress Office File API) lets you create, edit, and flatten Ink annotations for freehand PDF markup workflows.
  • PDF4NET (by PDF4DEV Solutions) facilitates drawing and preserving freehand ink annotations in PDFs, supporting stylus and touch input.
  • Syncfusion ASP.NET Core PDF (part of Syncfusion Essential Studio Enterprise) enables developers to capture and render freehand ink annotations in PDFs.

For an in-depth analysis of features and price, visit our comparison of .NET PDF components.

Compare .NET PDF Components

Enable PDF to Word Conversion in .NET

March 13, 2026
Provide .NET applications with the ability to convert PDF documents into Microsoft Word formats such as DOC and DOCX.

PDF to Word conversion is the process of transforming a Portable Document Format (PDF) file into an editable Microsoft Word document such as DOC or DOCX. This capability is widely used when content that was originally distributed in a fixed-layout format needs to be modified, reused, or incorporated into other documents. Converting PDFs to Word allows users to edit text, adjust formatting, and extract tables or images without manually recreating the original content. For developers and organizations that process large volumes of documents, automated conversion can improve productivity by enabling document reuse, simplifying content updates, and supporting processes that require editable formats.

Several .NET PDF components allow you to convert PDF to Word, including:

  • DevExpress PDF Document API for .NET (part of DevExpress Office File API) can extract text and images from PDF files, which can then be used to generate Word documents.
  • Aspose.PDF for .NET provides built-in functionality for converting PDF files directly to Microsoft Word formats such as DOC and DOCX.
  • GroupDocs.Conversion for .NET includes native support for converting PDF documents to Word formats including DOC, DOCX, and RTF.

For an in-depth analysis of features and price, visit our comparison of .NET PDF components.

Compare .NET PDF Components

Locate Information in PDFs with Keyword Search

March 13, 2026
Quickly find text using PDF search, helping users locate keywords, navigate documents, and access relevant content instantly.

Search in a PDF viewer allows users to quickly locate specific words, phrases, or data within a document without manually scanning each page. By instantly highlighting and navigating between results, search makes it easier to work with large or complex PDFs such as reports, manuals, contracts, or research papers. This functionality improves productivity by helping users find relevant information faster, understand content in context, and move directly to important sections.

Several .NET PDF Viewer controls allow you to search for text in PDF files including:

  • Telerik UI for .NET MAUI PDF Viewer (part of Telerik UI for .NET MAUI) lets you quickly search text highlight matches and navigate results across pages.
  • IronPDF for .NET by Iron Software allows you to programmatically search PDF text, identify keywords and extract relevant content.
  • ImageGear for .NET by Accusoft facilitates fast text search within PDF pages enabling applications to locate phrases highlight results and guide navigation.
  • GroupDocs.Viewer for .NET lets developers search text across viewed PDF documents quickly find matches and display highlighted results within applications.

For an in-depth analysis of features and price, visit our .NET PDF Viewer controls comparison.

Compare .NET PDF Viewer Controls

Load and Display a PDF in ASP.NET Core

March 11, 2026
Use Document Solutions for PDF to render PDF files directly in the browser using an ASP.NET Core API and JavaScript PDF viewer.

Document Solutions for PDF (DsPdf, formerly GcPdf) is a high-speed, feature-rich, server-side PDF API Library for .NET with no dependencies on Adobe Acrobat. DsPdf allows developers to programmatically create, manipulate, import/export, and deploy PDF documents, including AcroForms, across desktop and web applications at scale. With full .NET support, you can generate, load, modify, and convert PDFs in your app for .NET, Mono, Xamarin.iOS, and Xamarin.Android.

In this blog post, MESCIUS Product Specialist Kristina Ismail demonstrates how to integrate the DsPdf API library on the server side, along with the included JavaScript PDF Viewer to load, generate, and display PDF files in the browser inside an ASP.NET Core application. Steps include:

  • Creating the .NET Core Application
  • Installing the DsPdf NuGet Package
  • Gednerating or Loading a PDF in C#
  • Installing DsPdfViewer (JavaScript PDF Viewwer)
  • Displaying the PDF in the Browser
  • Editing PDF on the Client-Side

Read the complete blog to learn how to implement an end-to-end PDF workflow inside any ASP.NET Core application.

Document Solutions for PDF is licensed per developer and is available in several license options for differing distribution needs. Team licenses are also available for multiple developers within the same organization. See our Document Solutions for PDF licensing page for full details.

Document Solutions for PDF is available to buy individually or as part of Document Solutions .NET Bundle.