PDF files are popular because they support text, images, animations, videos, and various annotations. However, for many documents, the text is the most crucial part. This article explains how to convert PDF files to TXT files and, conversely, TXT files to PDF using C# .NET. This conversion is particularly useful when you need to extract or focus solely on the text content of a PDF document, such as when performing text analysis or preparing content for reformatting.

The topics covered in this guide include:

Tip: You might also be interested in a free Text to GIF Converter that allows you to generate animated GIFs from text.

C# TXT to PDF or PDF to TXT Converter

Converting between PDF and TXT formats is essential when your main interest lies in the textual data within a document. Whether you need to strip out all formatting for simple text analysis or preserve some structured layout, the process can be accomplished with a few simple steps using the Aspose.PDF for .NET API. This API is versatile and supports both C# and VB.NET, making it easy to integrate into your .NET applications.

To install the API in your application, you can either download the DLL files from Downloads or use the NuGet gallery. For example, install it via the Package Manager Console:

PM> Install-Package Aspose.PDF

Once the API is installed, you can begin the conversion process with several approaches tailored to different needs.

C# Convert PDF to TXT without Formatting

Sometimes, you only need the raw text from a PDF document without any additional formatting. This method extracts the text exactly as it appears in the document, without preserving fonts, spacing, or styles. It is particularly useful for text analysis, search indexing, or when the layout is irrelevant.

Steps for Raw Text Extraction

  1. Load the Input PDF Document:
    Use the API to load the PDF file into a Document object.

  2. Initialize a StringBuilder:
    Create an instance of the StringBuilder class to efficiently accumulate text data.

  3. Iterate Through Each PDF Page:
    Loop through all pages in the document. For each page:

    • Use TextDevice to extract text.
    • Employ the Raw mode to ensure that formatting is not applied.

  4. Save the Output Text:
    Write the accumulated text to a TXT file.

The code snippet below illustrates how to convert a PDF to a TXT file using the Raw extraction method:

Additional Insights

  • Performance and Simplicity:
    Raw text extraction is usually faster because it does not attempt to parse or apply any formatting rules.
  • Use Cases:
    Ideal for log extraction, search indexing, or scenarios where only the textual content is required.

Convert PDF to TXT File with Formatting Routines using C# or VB.NET

In other scenarios, preserving the formatting of the text (such as paragraphs, indentations, and columns) is crucial. This method applies formatting routines to mirror the document’s layout in the resulting TXT file.

Steps for Text Extraction with Formatting

  1. Load the Source PDF File:
    As before, load the PDF document into your application.

  2. Initiate a String Variable:
    Prepare a string to collect formatted text output.

  3. Extract Text Using Formatting Mode:
    For each page, use the TextFormattingMode.Pure option. This mode attempts to reproduce the original formatting as closely as possible.

  4. Save the Formatted Text:
    Output the collected text to a TXT file that retains structured formatting such as line breaks, indents, and tab spacing.

The following code example demonstrates how to convert a PDF to a TXT file with text formatting using C#:

Visual Comparison of RAW and Pure Extraction

The image below provides a visual comparison of the two extraction modes. On the left, the PDF’s text appears with its original formatting (Pure mode), while the right displays raw text without any formatting. This comparison can help you decide which method best suits your needs.

Convert PDF TXT csharp

Convert TXT File to PDF Programmatically using C# or VB.NET

Converting a TXT file back to a PDF is useful when you need to produce a polished document from plain text content. This process involves reading the text and then applying PDF formatting to create a document that is visually appealing and ready for distribution.

Steps for TXT to PDF Conversion

  1. Create a TextReader Instance:
    Use the TextReader class to read content from the TXT file.

  2. Initialize a New PDF Document and Add a Blank Page:
    Create an instance of the Document class and add a new page.

  3. Instantiate a TextBuilder Object:
    Use the TextBuilder to construct text paragraphs with desired formatting, such as font, size, and color.

  4. Read and Append Each Line of Text:
    Loop through the lines in the TXT file, appending each line to the TextBuilder object.

  5. Save the Output PDF:
    Use the Document.Save(String) method to write the final PDF file to disk.

The code snippet below demonstrates how to convert a TXT file to a PDF document using C#:

Considerations When Converting TXT to PDF

  • Layout and Style:
    You may need to adjust margins, line spacing, and other text properties to ensure that the PDF is well-formatted and readable.
  • Error Handling:
    Implement error checking during file read and write operations to handle scenarios such as file access issues or encoding mismatches.

Conclusion

In this article, we demonstrated the techniques for converting PDF files to TXT and TXT files to PDF using C# or VB.NET in the .NET Framework. Whether you opt for raw text extraction for speed and simplicity or require formatted text to retain document layout, the Aspose.PDF for .NET API offers reliable and flexible solutions. These conversion methods are invaluable for data processing, document archiving, and content repurposing.

If you have any questions or require further assistance, please visit our Free Support Forum or review the Product Documentation.

See Also

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