Automate PDF reporting and business document generation by filling tables directly from databases, CSV files, or API results. The Aspose.PDF.Plugin TableGenerator for .NET enables you to turn raw business data into structured, professional PDFs with minimal code.
Introduction
In today’s digital age, businesses often require the generation of reports and documents that are both visually appealing and data-rich. One common requirement is the creation of PDF tables filled with data from various sources such as databases, CSV files, or external APIs. This article will guide you through using Aspose.PDF.TableGenerator for .NET to automate this process.
Pulling Data from External Sources
To populate your PDF tables with real-world data, you need to fetch the data from its source and convert it into a format that can be easily mapped to table cells. Here are some common methods:
From Databases
Use ADO.NET, Dapper, or Entity Framework to retrieve data into a DataTable or List<Dictionary<string,object».
From CSV Files
Utilize System.IO or libraries like CsvHelper to parse CSV rows into in-memory structures. Below is an example of how you can read from a CSV file and convert it into a list of dictionaries:
// Example: Import CSV to table (simplified)
var tableData = new List<Dictionary<string,object>>();
using (var reader = new StreamReader("C:\\Data\\employees.csv"))
{
var headers = reader.ReadLine().Split(',');
while (!reader.EndOfStream)
{
var line = reader.ReadLine().Split(',');
var dict = headers.Zip(line, (k,v) => new {k,v}).ToDictionary(x=>x.k, x=> (object)x.v);
tableData.Add(dict);
}
}
From APIs/Other Apps
Fetch JSON, XML, or custom data and convert it to a tabular object for mapping.
Mapping Data to PDF Table
Once you have your data in the correct format, you can map it to a PDF table using Aspose.PDF.TableGenerator. Here’s an example of how this is done:
using Aspose.Pdf.Plugins;
var generator = new TableGenerator();
var options = new TableOptions().InsertPageAfter(1).AddTable();
// Header row
options = options.AddRow();
each (var col in tableData[0].Keys)
{
options = options.AddCell().AddParagraph(new TextFragment(col));
}
// Data rows
foreach (var row in tableData)
{
options = options.AddRow();
foreach (var cell in row.Values)
options = options.AddCell().AddParagraph(new TextFragment(cell?.ToString() ?? ""));
}
options.AddInput(new FileDataSource("C:\\Docs\\input.pdf"));
options.AddOutput(new FileDataSource("C:\\Docs\\imported_table.pdf"));
generator.Process(options);
Batch Table Generation & Data Validation
Batching
Loop over multiple CSV/DB extracts to fill tables in multiple PDFs.
Validation
Clean data before import—check for nulls, sanitize input, ensure type consistency.
Custom Formatting
Style table rows/cells based on data values for easier review.
Use Cases
- Automated HR or payroll reports from SQL or CSV
- Product catalogs from ERP or inventory systems
- Customer/export invoices from online shops or APIs
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I generate multiple PDFs in a batch from different data sets? A: Yes—loop over your data source, generating a new PDF for each row/file/set as needed.
Q: Is data validation built in? A: Validate and clean your data before mapping to the table; custom logic ensures clean, error-free tables.
Q: Can I automate report delivery? A: Yes—combine table generation with email/SFTP/file automation for end-to-end workflows.
Conclusion
Using Aspose.PDF.TableGenerator in .NET simplifies the process of generating professional PDF reports from external data sources. Whether you’re dealing with databases, CSV files, or API results, this tool streamlines your workflow and ensures that your documents are both informative and visually appealing.
