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Leon Davis
Leon Davis

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How to Efficiently Convert CSV to PDF in C#

Converting CSV data to PDF format is a frequent requirement in many business workflows. Whether it's for creating reports, sharing structured data, or simply improving presentation, being able to convert CSV files to PDF is a valuable skill for developers. In this guide, we will demonstrate how to seamlessly convert CSV to PDF using C# with Spire.XLS for .NET, a robust library designed for handling and converting Excel files.

Why Convert CSV to PDF

Before we dive into the technical details, it’s important to understand why you might want to convert CSV files into PDFs. Here are a few reasons:

  1. Professional Presentation : CSV files are raw data stored in a text format, while PDFs offer a more professional layout that is easier to read and understand.
  2. Security : PDFs are typically read-only, making them ideal for secure document sharing.
  3. Universal Compatibility : PDFs can be opened on virtually any device or operating system, making them a universal format for sharing documents.
  4. Data Archiving : PDFs offer better options for archiving and sharing finalized reports or documents.

Now that we understand the benefits of converting CSV to PDF, let’s walk through the steps to complete the conversion.

Step 1: Installing Spire.XLS for .NET

Spire.XLS for .NET is a powerful library that allows developers to manipulate Excel files and perform various file conversions. To begin using Spire.XLS in your project, you’ll need to install the package.

Install Using NuGet Package Manager

To install Spire.XLS for .NET, follow these steps:

  1. Open your Visual Studio project.
  2. Right-click on your project in the Solution Explorer and select Manage NuGet Packages .
  3. Search for Spire.XLS in the NuGet search bar.
  4. Click Install to add the Spire.XLS package to your project.

Install via Package Manager Console

Alternatively, you can install Spire.XLS using the Package Manager Console . Simply run the following command:

PM> Install-Package Spire.XLS
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This will download and install the library, making it ready for use in your C# project.

Adding Necessary Namespaces

Once installed, you need to import the required namespaces in your C# file:

using Spire.Xls;
using System.IO;
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With Spire.XLS installed, you're now ready to move on to converting your CSV file to PDF.

Step 2: Converting CSV to PDF

Now that Spire.XLS is installed, let’s dive into the actual process of converting CSV data into a PDF.

Load the CSV File

Spire.XLS makes it simple to load a CSV file into a Workbook object. Here’s how to load your CSV file:

// Create a new workbook object
Workbook workbook = new Workbook();

// Load the CSV file into the workbook
workbook.LoadFromFile("path_to_your_csv_file.csv", ",");
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Replace "path_to_your_csv_file.csv" with the actual file path to your CSV file.

Convert the CSV Data to PDF

Once the CSV data is loaded into the workbook, you can easily convert it into a PDF. Here’s how you can do that:

// Specify the output PDF file path
string pdfFilePath = "path_to_output_pdf.pdf";

// Save the workbook as a PDF
workbook.SaveToFile(pdfFilePath, FileFormat.PDF);
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Make sure to replace "path_to_output_pdf.pdf" with the desired output file path for your PDF document.

Customizing the PDF Output (Optional)

One of the benefits of using Spire.XLS is the ability to customize the output. You can format the cells, add headers, footers, or even change the font styles before converting the file.

For example, if you want to change the font size and make the text bold for a specific cell range, you can do the following:

// Access the first worksheet
Worksheet sheet = workbook.Worksheets[0];

// Select a range of cells
CellRange range = sheet.Range["A1:C3"];

// Set font size and make text bold
range.Style.Font.Size = 12;
range.Style.Font.IsBold = true;
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This will apply a 12-point bold font to the range A1 to C3 in the first worksheet.

Handling Large CSV Files

For large CSV files, Spire.XLS offers features that improve performance and presentation:

  1. Pagination : If the data exceeds one page, Spire.XLS can automatically split the data into multiple pages when saving to PDF.
  2. Table Formatting : You can format your data as a table in the PDF output, which makes it more organized and readable.
  3. Cell Styling : Add borders, background colors, and other styles to enhance the presentation.

Here’s an example of how to add borders around a range of cells:

// Apply a border to a range of cells
sheet.Range["A1:C10"].Style.Borders.BorderAround(ExcelBorderStyle.Thin);
sheet.Range["A1:C10"].Style.Color = Color.LightGray;
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This will add thin borders around the range A1 to C10 and change the background color to light gray.

Conclusion

Converting CSV to PDF in C# is a simple and effective way to present data professionally. By using Spire.XLS for .NET, you can easily automate this process, customize your output, and convert CSV data into a polished PDF document with minimal effort.

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