Automatic HTML to PDF Conversion
Need to automatically convert an HTML document into a PDF with the press of a button? Or want to automate the entire process and skip pressing the button? We'll show you how!
Need to automatically convert an HTML document into a PDF with the press of a button? Or want to automate the entire process and skip pressing the button? We'll show you how!
An API (stands for Application Programming Interface) is simply a way for one computer to talk to another computer. APIs are the primary building blocks for software automation, including converting html files into the Portable Document Format (PDF). There are many different ways to connect APIs together and this guide will show you the popular methods.
DocRaptor is the most powerful HTML to PDF API. We provide advanced features with the best reliability and support. Most other APIs rely on open source HTML to PDF libraries based on Headless Chrome. DocRaptor uses the Prince commercial PDF generator, which offers far superior PDF capabilities such as PDF forms, accessible PDFs, and varying page size and page orientation.
However, our primary focus is on helping professional software developers convert HTML files inside of their applications, typically at a very high volume.
Writing software is the most common way to automate any kind of digital process, but if you are a professional developer, you probably don't need the rest of this guide. For everyone else, we'll review some other API connection methods and online tools.
Sometimes, writing software to convert a document into PDF format automatically isn't an option. You can also use a no-code tool or app builder, such as Zapier, Integromat, or Automate.io, to connect different APIs and automate the conversion process. These tools require no coding knowledge and offer easy-to-use interfaces that allow you to set up automated tasks with just a few clicks.
Many of the app builders have already added HTML to PDF APIs into their code libraries and if not, it's easy to copy and paste some DocRaptor code to enable your PDF file conversion. It's also possible to convert Zip files, Word files, Excel files, or other files from your HTML documents.
App builders typically work by having a trigger action or condition that, when activated, automatically begins an action or set of actions. They're an easy way to generate PDF documents without knowing any programming languages.
Zapier is the original and most popular business automation builder. It supports all kinds of digital documents and business processes. You can trigger automations from timers, buttons, activations within other software applications, and more. We've created a step-by-step guide to convert HTML to PDF with Zapier.
Kotive is another no-code app builder. Kotive has integrated DocRaptor directly into their app library.
Both of these tools allow you to create invoices, brochures, and reports by combining data from multiple applications without being a professional software developer!
If you need to convert web pages to PDFs and just want to automate that process after manually clicking a button, a bookmarklet or browser extension is an easy solution. It's a great way to make a single PDF, but it cannot convert multiple web pages (unless you use multiple browser tabs) or truly automate the entire process without a manual trigger.
Web pages are made up of HTML (HyperText Markup Language). A bookmarklet is a small bit of JavaScript that grabs that HTML file and sends it to an API to be made into a PDF. Frankly, they're a pretty old method of interacting with web browsers back when we walked about the "world wide web".
You'll store the bookmark in your bookmark bar or folder in your browser and click it anytime you want to convert HTML into a PDF document.
PrintFriendly has an easy-to-use bookmarklet.
Browser extensions are similar to bookmarklets but provide more power. They're also closely monitored by the browser companies for security purposes, whereas bookmarklets can run any code and send your raw HTML code anywhere for any purpose (though this is unlikely). They're your best bet to convert HTML pages inside your browser.
PDFCrowd is the most popular browser extension for Chrome, which will work on any operating system.
All this sounds great, you say, but how much does it cost to create a new PDF file? Well, good news! Most of these services provide at least some documents and automations for free. DocRaptor too! We're one of the few free HTML to PDF APIs available.
As you can see, converting HTML to PDF is no longer an arduous task reserved solely for developers or big companies. With a range of methods available including APIs, app builders, and browser extensions, PDF file creation can be automated to suit your project's needs.