How to Get Started with the IronPDF C# PDF Library

IronPDF takes care of the difficult problem of adding PDF generation to your app, and automates turning formatted documents into a PDF.

Convert web forms, local HTML pages, and other web pages to PDF with .NET
Allow users to download documents, send them by email, or store them in the cloud.
Produce invoices, quotes, reports, contracts, and other documents.
Work with ASP.NET, ASP.NET Core, web forms, MVC, Web APIs on .NET Framework, and .NET Core.

Work with PDFs in C# Quick Steps:

Download IronPDF free
Turn an ASP Page in to a PDF
Route an ASP MVC View to a PDF
Add headers & footers
Password protect PDF documents
Extract images, enable JavaScript, use OCR scanning, and more

Step 1

1. Install the IronPDF C# Library to your Project

1.1. Install with NuGet Package Manager

Install IronPDF in Visual Studio or at the command line with the NuGet Package Manager. In Visual Studio, navigate to the console with:

Tools ->
NuGet Package Manager ->
Package Manager Console

PM > Install-Package IronPdf

And check out IronPDF on NuGet for more about version updates and installation.

There are other IronPdf NuGet Packages available for specific deployments to Linux, Mac, Azure and AWS targets which are documeted in our IronPDF advanced NuGet installation guide .

1.2. Directly Download the DLL

Alternatively, you can directly download the DLL.

Here are other IronPDF DLL zip packages available for specific platforms:

Remember to add this statement to the top of any cs class file using IronPDF:

using IronPdf;

1.3. Install and Deploy the Library

For more details, check the guide on how to install and deploy the IronPDF C# Library.

1.4A Optional: Linux Deployment

Deploying IronPDF on Linux is well documented and a popular choice for cloud deployments such as Azure.

We officially support: Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, Fedora & Amazon Linux 2.

1.4B Optional: Docker Deployment

Deploying IronPDF on Docker is well documented.

We officially support Docker for: Windows, Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS & Amazon Linux 2 and provide working Docker files.

1.4C Optional: Azure Deployment

Official Support for Azure WebApps, Azure WebJobs, Azure Functions and Azure Docker instances and Azure VMs.
Read the IronPDF Azure & Azure Function Setup Guide.

1.4D Optional: Amazon AWS Deployment

A tutorial and support for Amazon AWS Lambda is included.

1.4E Optional: macOS Support

Official Support for macOS deployments and development using Rider and "Visual Studio for Mac" are supported.

How to Tutorials

2. Render HTML String to PDF

IronPDF can render HTML text to PDF quite easily. This example illustrates the capability. Use this option when you only need to add simple text to your PDF document.

Create a new .NET Core console application
Install the NuGet package
Import the IronPdf namespace with the using keyword
Create a new ChromePdfRenderer renderer
Call RenderHtmlAsPdf and then SaveAs on the result.

/**
HTML String to PDF
anchor-render-html-string-to-pdf
**/   
using IronPdf;

namespace IronPDFSample
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main()
        {
            var Renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
            using var PDF = Renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Hello World<h1>");
            PDF.SaveAs("html-string.pdf");
        }
    }
}

/**
HTML String to PDF
anchor-render-html-string-to-pdf
**/   
using IronPdf;

namespace IronPDFSample
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main()
        {
            var Renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
            using var PDF = Renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Hello World<h1>");
            PDF.SaveAs("html-string.pdf");
        }
    }
}

'''
'''HTML String to PDF
'''anchor-render-html-string-to-pdf
'''*   
Imports IronPdf

Namespace IronPDFSample
	Friend Class Program
		Shared Sub Main()
			Dim Renderer = New ChromePdfRenderer()
			Dim PDF = Renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Hello World<h1>")
			PDF.SaveAs("html-string.pdf")
		End Sub
	End Class
End Namespace

VB C#

3. Convert HTML File to PDF

You can render HTML files with images, CSS, forms, hyperlinks, and JavaScript as a PDF document. Use this method for scenarios where you have access to the source document locally.

This example calls RenderHtmlFileAsPdf, which returns a variable called PDF.

Call SaveAs to save the output to a PDF file.

The sample assumes that there is a HTML file in the folder Assets.

/**
HTML File to PDF
anchor-convert-html-file-to-pdf
**/   
using IronPdf;

namespace IronPDFSample
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main()
        {
            // Create a PDF from an existing HTML using C#
            var Renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
            using var PDF = Renderer.RenderHtmlFileAsPdf("Assets/MyHTML.html");
            PDF.SaveAs("MyPdf.pdf");
        }
    }
}

/**
HTML File to PDF
anchor-convert-html-file-to-pdf
**/   
using IronPdf;

namespace IronPDFSample
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main()
        {
            // Create a PDF from an existing HTML using C#
            var Renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
            using var PDF = Renderer.RenderHtmlFileAsPdf("Assets/MyHTML.html");
            PDF.SaveAs("MyPdf.pdf");
        }
    }
}

'''
'''HTML File to PDF
'''anchor-convert-html-file-to-pdf
'''*   
Imports IronPdf

Namespace IronPDFSample
	Friend Class Program
		Shared Sub Main()
			' Create a PDF from an existing HTML using C#
			Dim Renderer = New ChromePdfRenderer()
			Dim PDF = Renderer.RenderHtmlFileAsPdf("Assets/MyHTML.html")
			PDF.SaveAs("MyPdf.pdf")
		End Sub
	End Class
End Namespace

VB C#

4. Render Existing URL to PDF

Render existing web pages to PDFs in a few lines of C# or VB.NET code. Use this option when you need to convert a website that already has a well-formatted document to a PDF.

Call the RenderUrlAsPdf to download web page content so that you can call SaveAs to export the content locally.

/**
URL to PDF
anchor-render-existing-url-to-pdf
**/  
using IronPdf;

namespace IronPDFSample
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main()
        {
            // Create a PDF from any existing web page
            var Renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
            using var PDF = Renderer.RenderUrlAsPdf("https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portable_Document_Format");
            PDF.SaveAs("wikipedia.pdf");
        }
    }
}

/**
URL to PDF
anchor-render-existing-url-to-pdf
**/  
using IronPdf;

namespace IronPDFSample
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main()
        {
            // Create a PDF from any existing web page
            var Renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
            using var PDF = Renderer.RenderUrlAsPdf("https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portable_Document_Format");
            PDF.SaveAs("wikipedia.pdf");
        }
    }
}

'''
'''URL to PDF
'''anchor-render-existing-url-to-pdf
'''*  
Imports IronPdf

Namespace IronPDFSample
	Friend Class Program
		Shared Sub Main()
			' Create a PDF from any existing web page
			Dim Renderer = New ChromePdfRenderer()
			Dim PDF = Renderer.RenderUrlAsPdf("https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portable_Document_Format")
			PDF.SaveAs("wikipedia.pdf")
		End Sub
	End Class
End Namespace

VB C#

5. ASP.NET Web Forms to PDF

Render ASP.NET web forms as PDF instead of HTML with a single line of code. Place the line of code in the Page_Load method of the page's code-behind.

Create a new ASP.NET WebForms application or open an existing one
Install the NuGet package
Import the IronPdf namespace with the using keyword
Open the code-behind for the page that you want to render to PDF. For example, Default.aspx.cs
Call RenderThisPageAsPdf on AspxToPdf

/**
ASP NET WebForms PDF
anchor-asp-net-web-forms-to-pdf
**/  
using IronPdf;
using System;
using System.Web.UI;

namespace WebApplication7
{
    public partial class _Default : Page
    {
        protected void Page_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {   
            AspxToPdf.RenderThisPageAsPdf(AspxToPdf.FileBehavior.InBrowser);
        }
    }
}

/**
ASP NET WebForms PDF
anchor-asp-net-web-forms-to-pdf
**/  
using IronPdf;
using System;
using System.Web.UI;

namespace WebApplication7
{
    public partial class _Default : Page
    {
        protected void Page_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {   
            AspxToPdf.RenderThisPageAsPdf(AspxToPdf.FileBehavior.InBrowser);
        }
    }
}

'''
'''ASP NET WebForms PDF
'''anchor-asp-net-web-forms-to-pdf
'''*  
Imports IronPdf
Imports System
Imports System.Web.UI

Namespace WebApplication7
	Partial Public Class _Default
		Inherits Page

		Protected Sub Page_Load(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As EventArgs)
			AspxToPdf.RenderThisPageAsPdf(AspxToPdf.FileBehavior.InBrowser)
		End Sub
	End Class
End Namespace

VB C#

6. Route ASP MVC View to PDF

Route the user to a PDF document with the ASP MVC framework. Use this option when creating a new ASP MVC app or add an existing MVC controller to an app.

Start the new project wizard in Visual Studio, and choose ASP.NET Web Application (.NET Framework) -> MVC. Or open an existing MVC project. Open the file HomeController in the Controllers folder and replace the Index method, or add a new controller.

This is an example of how the code should look:

/**
ASP MVC View to PDF
anchor-route-asp-mvc-view-to-pdf
**/  
using IronPdf;
using System;
using System.Web.Mvc;

namespace WebApplication8.Controllers
{
    public class HomeController : Controller
    {
        public ActionResult Index()
        {
            using var PDF = IronPdf.ChromePdfRenderer.StaticRenderUrlAsPdf(new Uri("https://en.wikipedia.org"));
            return File(PDF.BinaryData, "application/pdf", "Wiki.Pdf");
        }

        public ActionResult About()
        {
            ViewBag.Message = "Your application description page.";

            return View();
        }

        public ActionResult Contact()
        {
            ViewBag.Message = "Your contact page.";

            return View();
        }
    }
}

/**
ASP MVC View to PDF
anchor-route-asp-mvc-view-to-pdf
**/  
using IronPdf;
using System;
using System.Web.Mvc;

namespace WebApplication8.Controllers
{
    public class HomeController : Controller
    {
        public ActionResult Index()
        {
            using var PDF = IronPdf.ChromePdfRenderer.StaticRenderUrlAsPdf(new Uri("https://en.wikipedia.org"));
            return File(PDF.BinaryData, "application/pdf", "Wiki.Pdf");
        }

        public ActionResult About()
        {
            ViewBag.Message = "Your application description page.";

            return View();
        }

        public ActionResult Contact()
        {
            ViewBag.Message = "Your contact page.";

            return View();
        }
    }
}

'''
'''ASP MVC View to PDF
'''anchor-route-asp-mvc-view-to-pdf
'''*  
Imports IronPdf
Imports System
Imports System.Web.Mvc

Namespace WebApplication8.Controllers
	Public Class HomeController
		Inherits Controller

		Public Function Index() As ActionResult
			Dim PDF = IronPdf.ChromePdfRenderer.StaticRenderUrlAsPdf(New Uri("https://en.wikipedia.org"))
			Return File(PDF.BinaryData, "application/pdf", "Wiki.Pdf")
		End Function

		Public Function About() As ActionResult
			ViewBag.Message = "Your application description page."

			Return View()
		End Function

		Public Function Contact() As ActionResult
			ViewBag.Message = "Your contact page."

			Return View()
		End Function
	End Class
End Namespace

VB C#

7. Add Headers and Footers

The RenderingOptions property allows you to craft headers and footers for each page of the document. Access these options on the ChromePdfRenderer object. This sample works inside a .NET Core console app.

Use these template properties to build the content.

{page} {total-pages} {url} {date} {time} {html-title} & {pdf-title}

/**
Add Headers Footers
anchor-add-headers-and-footers
**/  
using IronPdf;

namespace ConsoleApp
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            var ChromePdfRenderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

            ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.FirstPageNumber = 1;

            //Header options
            ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextHeader.DrawDividerLine = true;
            ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextHeader.CenterText = "{url}";
            ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextHeader.Font = IronPdf.Font.FontTypes.Helvetica;
            ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextHeader.FontSize = 12;

            //Footer options
            ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextFooter.DrawDividerLine = true;
            ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextHeader.Font = IronPdf.Font.FontTypes.Arial;
            ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextFooter.FontSize = 10;
            ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextFooter.LeftText = "{date} {time}";
            ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextFooter.RightText = "{page} of {total-pages}";

            using var PDF = ChromePdfRenderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Hello World<h1>");
            PDF.SaveAs("html-string.pdf");
        }
    }
}

/**
Add Headers Footers
anchor-add-headers-and-footers
**/  
using IronPdf;

namespace ConsoleApp
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            var ChromePdfRenderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

            ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.FirstPageNumber = 1;

            //Header options
            ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextHeader.DrawDividerLine = true;
            ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextHeader.CenterText = "{url}";
            ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextHeader.Font = IronPdf.Font.FontTypes.Helvetica;
            ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextHeader.FontSize = 12;

            //Footer options
            ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextFooter.DrawDividerLine = true;
            ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextHeader.Font = IronPdf.Font.FontTypes.Arial;
            ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextFooter.FontSize = 10;
            ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextFooter.LeftText = "{date} {time}";
            ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextFooter.RightText = "{page} of {total-pages}";

            using var PDF = ChromePdfRenderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Hello World<h1>");
            PDF.SaveAs("html-string.pdf");
        }
    }
}

'''
'''Add Headers Footers
'''anchor-add-headers-and-footers
'''*  
Imports IronPdf

Namespace ConsoleApp
	Friend Class Program
		Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
			Dim ChromePdfRenderer As New ChromePdfRenderer()

			ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.FirstPageNumber = 1

			'Header options
			ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextHeader.DrawDividerLine = True
			ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextHeader.CenterText = "{url}"
			ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextHeader.Font = IronPdf.Font.FontTypes.Helvetica
			ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextHeader.FontSize = 12

			'Footer options
			ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextFooter.DrawDividerLine = True
			ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextHeader.Font = IronPdf.Font.FontTypes.Arial
			ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextFooter.FontSize = 10
			ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextFooter.LeftText = "{date} {time}"
			ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.TextFooter.RightText = "{page} of {total-pages}"

			Dim PDF = ChromePdfRenderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Hello World<h1>")
			PDF.SaveAs("html-string.pdf")
		End Sub
	End Class
End Namespace

VB C#

7.1. Add Headers and Footers with HTML

As above, this sample works in a .NET Core console app. Specify HTML with the HtmlFragment property.

/**
Add HTML Headers Footers
anchor-add-headers-and-footers
**/  
using IronPdf;
using System;

namespace ConsoleApp
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            var ChromePdfRenderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

            // Build a footer using html to style the text // mergeable fields are: 
            // {page} {total-pages} {url} {date} {time} {html-title} & {pdf-title} 
            ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.HtmlFooter = new HtmlHeaderFooter()
            {
                Height = 15,
                HtmlFragment = "<center><i>{page} of {total-pages}<i></center>",
                DrawDividerLine = true
            };

            // Build a header using an image asset
            // Note the use of BaseUrl to set a relative path to the assets
            ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.HtmlHeader = new HtmlHeaderFooter()
            {
                Height = 20,
                HtmlFragment = "<img src='logo.jpg'>",
                BaseUrl = new Uri(@"C:\assets\images").AbsoluteUri
            };

            using var PDF = ChromePdfRenderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Hello World<h1>");
            PDF.SaveAs("html-string.pdf");
        }
    }
}

/**
Add HTML Headers Footers
anchor-add-headers-and-footers
**/  
using IronPdf;
using System;

namespace ConsoleApp
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            var ChromePdfRenderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

            // Build a footer using html to style the text // mergeable fields are: 
            // {page} {total-pages} {url} {date} {time} {html-title} & {pdf-title} 
            ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.HtmlFooter = new HtmlHeaderFooter()
            {
                Height = 15,
                HtmlFragment = "<center><i>{page} of {total-pages}<i></center>",
                DrawDividerLine = true
            };

            // Build a header using an image asset
            // Note the use of BaseUrl to set a relative path to the assets
            ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.HtmlHeader = new HtmlHeaderFooter()
            {
                Height = 20,
                HtmlFragment = "<img src='logo.jpg'>",
                BaseUrl = new Uri(@"C:\assets\images").AbsoluteUri
            };

            using var PDF = ChromePdfRenderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Hello World<h1>");
            PDF.SaveAs("html-string.pdf");
        }
    }
}

'''
'''Add HTML Headers Footers
'''anchor-add-headers-and-footers
'''*  
Imports IronPdf
Imports System

Namespace ConsoleApp
	Friend Class Program
		Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
			Dim ChromePdfRenderer As New ChromePdfRenderer()

			' Build a footer using html to style the text // mergeable fields are: 
			' {page} {total-pages} {url} {date} {time} {html-title} & {pdf-title} 
			ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.HtmlFooter = New HtmlHeaderFooter() With {
				.Height = 15,
				.HtmlFragment = "<center><i>{page} of {total-pages}<i></center>",
				.DrawDividerLine = True
			}

			' Build a header using an image asset
			' Note the use of BaseUrl to set a relative path to the assets
			ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions.HtmlHeader = New HtmlHeaderFooter() With {
				.Height = 20,
				.HtmlFragment = "<img src='logo.jpg'>",
				.BaseUrl = (New Uri("C:\assets\images")).AbsoluteUri
			}

			Dim PDF = ChromePdfRenderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Hello World<h1>")
			PDF.SaveAs("html-string.pdf")
		End Sub
	End Class
End Namespace

VB C#

8. Encrypt PDFs with a Password

Set the Password property of a PDF document to encrypt it and force the user to enter the correct password to view the document. This sample works in a .NET Core Console app

/**
Add PDF Password
anchor-encrypt-pdfs-with-a-password
**/  
using IronPdf;

namespace ConsoleApp
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            var ChromePdfRenderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
            using var pdfDocument = ChromePdfRenderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Hello World<h1>");
            pdfDocument.Password = "strong!@#pass&^%word";
            pdfDocument.SaveAs("secured.pdf");
        }
    }
}

/**
Add PDF Password
anchor-encrypt-pdfs-with-a-password
**/  
using IronPdf;

namespace ConsoleApp
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            var ChromePdfRenderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
            using var pdfDocument = ChromePdfRenderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Hello World<h1>");
            pdfDocument.Password = "strong!@#pass&^%word";
            pdfDocument.SaveAs("secured.pdf");
        }
    }
}

'''
'''Add PDF Password
'''anchor-encrypt-pdfs-with-a-password
'''*  
Imports IronPdf

Namespace ConsoleApp
	Friend Class Program
		Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
			Dim ChromePdfRenderer As New ChromePdfRenderer()
			Dim pdfDocument = ChromePdfRenderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Hello World<h1>")
			pdfDocument.Password = "strong!@#pass&^%word"
			pdfDocument.SaveAs("secured.pdf")
		End Sub
	End Class
End Namespace

VB C#

9. Merge and Split PDF Documents

Use the Merge method to merge multiple PDF documents together, or CopyPages to split a number of pages out of an existing document. Include PDFs in your project as Content to access them by filename.

/**
Merge Split PDFs
anchor-merge-and-split-pdf-documents
**/  
using IronPdf;
using System.Collections.Generic;

namespace ConsoleApp
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            var ChromePdfRenderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
            //Join Multiple Existing PDFs into a single document
            var pdfDocuments = new List<PdfDocument>();
            pdfDocuments.Add(PdfDocument.FromFile("A.pdf"));
            pdfDocuments.Add(PdfDocument.FromFile("B.pdf"));
            pdfDocuments.Add(PdfDocument.FromFile("C.pdf"));

            var mergedPdfDocument = PdfDocument.Merge(pdfDocuments);
            mergedPdfDocument.SaveAs("merged.pdf");

            //Add a cover page 
            mergedPdfDocument.PrependPdf(ChromePdfRenderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Cover Page</h1><hr>"));
            //Remove the last page from the PDF and save again
            mergedPdfDocument.RemovePage(mergedPdfDocument.PageCount - 1);
            mergedPdfDocument.SaveAs("merged.pdf");

            //Copy pages 1,2 and save them as a new document.
            mergedPdfDocument.CopyPages(1, 2).SaveAs("exerpt.pdf");

            foreach(var pdfDocument in pdfDocuments){
                pdfDocument.Dispose();
            }
        }
    }
}

/**
Merge Split PDFs
anchor-merge-and-split-pdf-documents
**/  
using IronPdf;
using System.Collections.Generic;

namespace ConsoleApp
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            var ChromePdfRenderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
            //Join Multiple Existing PDFs into a single document
            var pdfDocuments = new List<PdfDocument>();
            pdfDocuments.Add(PdfDocument.FromFile("A.pdf"));
            pdfDocuments.Add(PdfDocument.FromFile("B.pdf"));
            pdfDocuments.Add(PdfDocument.FromFile("C.pdf"));

            var mergedPdfDocument = PdfDocument.Merge(pdfDocuments);
            mergedPdfDocument.SaveAs("merged.pdf");

            //Add a cover page 
            mergedPdfDocument.PrependPdf(ChromePdfRenderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Cover Page</h1><hr>"));
            //Remove the last page from the PDF and save again
            mergedPdfDocument.RemovePage(mergedPdfDocument.PageCount - 1);
            mergedPdfDocument.SaveAs("merged.pdf");

            //Copy pages 1,2 and save them as a new document.
            mergedPdfDocument.CopyPages(1, 2).SaveAs("exerpt.pdf");

            foreach(var pdfDocument in pdfDocuments){
                pdfDocument.Dispose();
            }
        }
    }
}

'''
'''Merge Split PDFs
'''anchor-merge-and-split-pdf-documents
'''*  
Imports IronPdf
Imports System.Collections.Generic

Namespace ConsoleApp
	Friend Class Program
		Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
			Dim ChromePdfRenderer As New ChromePdfRenderer()
			'Join Multiple Existing PDFs into a single document
			Dim pdfDocuments = New List(Of PdfDocument)()
			pdfDocuments.Add(PdfDocument.FromFile("A.pdf"))
			pdfDocuments.Add(PdfDocument.FromFile("B.pdf"))
			pdfDocuments.Add(PdfDocument.FromFile("C.pdf"))

			Dim mergedPdfDocument = PdfDocument.Merge(pdfDocuments)
			mergedPdfDocument.SaveAs("merged.pdf")

			'Add a cover page 
			mergedPdfDocument.PrependPdf(ChromePdfRenderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Cover Page</h1><hr>"))
			'Remove the last page from the PDF and save again
			mergedPdfDocument.RemovePage(mergedPdfDocument.PageCount - 1)
			mergedPdfDocument.SaveAs("merged.pdf")

			'Copy pages 1,2 and save them as a new document.
			mergedPdfDocument.CopyPages(1, 2).SaveAs("exerpt.pdf")

			For Each pdfDocument In pdfDocuments
				pdfDocument.Dispose()
			Next pdfDocument
		End Sub
	End Class
End Namespace

VB C#

10. Extract Images from PDF Documents

This feature requires an additional NuGet package. Install System.Drawing.Common. Use the ExtractAllText to get text and the ExtractAllImages method to get images.

/**
Extract Images
anchor-extract-images-from-pdf-documents
**/  
using IronPdf;

namespace ConsoleApp
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            var ChromePdfRenderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

            var pdfDocument = PdfDocument.FromFile("A.pdf");

            //Get all text
            var allText = pdfDocument.ExtractAllText();

            //Get all Images
            var allImages = pdfDocument.ExtractAllImages();

            //Or even find the images and text by page
            for (var index = 0; index < pdfDocument.PageCount; index++)
            {
                var pageNumber = index + 1;
                var pageText = pdfDocument.ExtractTextFromPage(index);
                var pageImages = pdfDocument.ExtractImagesFromPage(index);
            }
        }
    }
}

/**
Extract Images
anchor-extract-images-from-pdf-documents
**/  
using IronPdf;

namespace ConsoleApp
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            var ChromePdfRenderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

            var pdfDocument = PdfDocument.FromFile("A.pdf");

            //Get all text
            var allText = pdfDocument.ExtractAllText();

            //Get all Images
            var allImages = pdfDocument.ExtractAllImages();

            //Or even find the images and text by page
            for (var index = 0; index < pdfDocument.PageCount; index++)
            {
                var pageNumber = index + 1;
                var pageText = pdfDocument.ExtractTextFromPage(index);
                var pageImages = pdfDocument.ExtractImagesFromPage(index);
            }
        }
    }
}

'''
'''Extract Images
'''anchor-extract-images-from-pdf-documents
'''*  
Imports IronPdf

Namespace ConsoleApp
	Friend Class Program
		Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
			Dim ChromePdfRenderer As New ChromePdfRenderer()

			Dim pdfDocument = PdfDocument.FromFile("A.pdf")

			'Get all text
			Dim allText = pdfDocument.ExtractAllText()

			'Get all Images
			Dim allImages = pdfDocument.ExtractAllImages()

			'Or even find the images and text by page
			For index = 0 To pdfDocument.PageCount - 1
				Dim pageNumber = index + 1
				Dim pageText = pdfDocument.ExtractTextFromPage(index)
				Dim pageImages = pdfDocument.ExtractImagesFromPage(index)
			Next index
		End Sub
	End Class
End Namespace

VB C#

11. Enable JavaScript

/**
Enable JavaScript
anchor-enable-javascript
**/  
using IronPdf;

namespace ConsoleApp
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            var ChromePdfRenderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
            ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions = new ChromePdfRenderOptions()
            {
                EnableJavaScript = true,
                RenderDelay = 100
            };
        }
    }
}

/**
Enable JavaScript
anchor-enable-javascript
**/  
using IronPdf;

namespace ConsoleApp
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            var ChromePdfRenderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
            ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions = new ChromePdfRenderOptions()
            {
                EnableJavaScript = true,
                RenderDelay = 100
            };
        }
    }
}

'''
'''Enable JavaScript
'''anchor-enable-javascript
'''*  
Imports IronPdf

Namespace ConsoleApp
	Friend Class Program
		Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
			Dim ChromePdfRenderer As New ChromePdfRenderer()
			ChromePdfRenderer.RenderingOptions = New ChromePdfRenderOptions() With {
				.EnableJavaScript = True,
				.RenderDelay = 100
			}
		End Sub
	End Class
End Namespace

VB C#

12. PDF OCR and Text Extraction

In many cases you can extract embedded text from PDFs directly:

using IronPdf;

using PdfDocument PDF = PdfDocument.FromFile("Invoice.pdf", "password");

//Get all text 
string Text = PDF.ExtractAllText();

using IronPdf;

using PdfDocument PDF = PdfDocument.FromFile("Invoice.pdf", "password");

//Get all text 
string Text = PDF.ExtractAllText();

Imports IronPdf

Private PdfDocument As using

'Get all text 
Private Text As String = PDF.ExtractAllText()

VB C#

If that doesn't work - your text is probably embedded in an image:

Use the IronOCR library to scan documents for visual text that is not plain text.

You will need to install the NuGet package IronOcr. Learn more about scanning PDFs with IronOCR.

/**
OCR Scan
anchor-use-ocr-scanning
**/  
using IronOcr;
using IronPdf;

namespace ConsoleApp
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {

           using (var Input = new OcrInput())
            {
                // OCR entire document
                Input.AddPdf("Invoice.pdf", "password");

                // Image Quality
                Input.Deskew();
                Input.DeNoise();
                var Result = Ocr.Read(Input);
                Console.WriteLine(Result.Text);

                var Barcodes = Result.Barcodes;
                var Text = Result.Text;
            }

        }
    }
}

/**
OCR Scan
anchor-use-ocr-scanning
**/  
using IronOcr;
using IronPdf;

namespace ConsoleApp
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {

           using (var Input = new OcrInput())
            {
                // OCR entire document
                Input.AddPdf("Invoice.pdf", "password");

                // Image Quality
                Input.Deskew();
                Input.DeNoise();
                var Result = Ocr.Read(Input);
                Console.WriteLine(Result.Text);

                var Barcodes = Result.Barcodes;
                var Text = Result.Text;
            }

        }
    }
}

'''
'''OCR Scan
'''anchor-use-ocr-scanning
'''*  
Imports IronOcr
Imports IronPdf

Namespace ConsoleApp
	Friend Class Program
		Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)

		   Using Input = New OcrInput()
				' OCR entire document
				Input.AddPdf("Invoice.pdf", "password")

				' Image Quality
				Input.Deskew()
				Input.DeNoise()
				Dim Result = Ocr.Read(Input)
				Console.WriteLine(Result.Text)

				Dim Barcodes = Result.Barcodes
				Dim Text = Result.Text
		   End Using

		End Sub
	End Class
End Namespace

VB C#

13. Use More Rendering Options

Here are some more detailed rendering options

using IronPdf;
using System.Text;

namespace ConsoleApp
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            var Renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
            Renderer.RenderingOptions.SetCustomPaperSizeInInches(12.5, 20);
            Renderer.RenderingOptions.PrintHtmlBackgrounds = true;
            Renderer.RenderingOptions.PaperOrientation = IronPdf.Rendering.PdfPaperOrientation.Portrait;
            Renderer.RenderingOptions.Title = "My PDF Document Name";
            Renderer.RenderingOptions.EnableJavaScript = true;
            Renderer.RenderingOptions.RenderDelay = 50;
            Renderer.RenderingOptions.CssMediaType = IronPdf.Rendering.PdfCssMediaType.Screen;
            Renderer.RenderingOptions.GrayScale = false;
            Renderer.RenderingOptions.FitToPaperMode = IronPdf.Engines.Chrome.FitToPaperModes.Automatic;
            Renderer.RenderingOptions.InputEncoding = Encoding.UTF8;
            Renderer.RenderingOptions.Zoom = 100;
            Renderer.RenderingOptions.CreatePdfFormsFromHtml = true;

            // Change margins (millimeters)
            Renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginTop = 40;
            Renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginLeft = 20;
            Renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginRight = 20;
            Renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginBottom = 40;

            // Use 2 if a cover page will be appended
            Renderer.RenderingOptions.FirstPageNumber = 1;

            Renderer.RenderHtmlFileAsPdf("my-content.html").SaveAs("my-content.pdf");
        }
    }
}

using IronPdf;
using System.Text;

namespace ConsoleApp
{
    class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            var Renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
            Renderer.RenderingOptions.SetCustomPaperSizeInInches(12.5, 20);
            Renderer.RenderingOptions.PrintHtmlBackgrounds = true;
            Renderer.RenderingOptions.PaperOrientation = IronPdf.Rendering.PdfPaperOrientation.Portrait;
            Renderer.RenderingOptions.Title = "My PDF Document Name";
            Renderer.RenderingOptions.EnableJavaScript = true;
            Renderer.RenderingOptions.RenderDelay = 50;
            Renderer.RenderingOptions.CssMediaType = IronPdf.Rendering.PdfCssMediaType.Screen;
            Renderer.RenderingOptions.GrayScale = false;
            Renderer.RenderingOptions.FitToPaperMode = IronPdf.Engines.Chrome.FitToPaperModes.Automatic;
            Renderer.RenderingOptions.InputEncoding = Encoding.UTF8;
            Renderer.RenderingOptions.Zoom = 100;
            Renderer.RenderingOptions.CreatePdfFormsFromHtml = true;

            // Change margins (millimeters)
            Renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginTop = 40;
            Renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginLeft = 20;
            Renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginRight = 20;
            Renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginBottom = 40;

            // Use 2 if a cover page will be appended
            Renderer.RenderingOptions.FirstPageNumber = 1;

            Renderer.RenderHtmlFileAsPdf("my-content.html").SaveAs("my-content.pdf");
        }
    }
}

Imports IronPdf
Imports System.Text

Namespace ConsoleApp
	Friend Class Program
		Shared Sub Main(ByVal args() As String)
			Dim Renderer = New ChromePdfRenderer()
			Renderer.RenderingOptions.SetCustomPaperSizeInInches(12.5, 20)
			Renderer.RenderingOptions.PrintHtmlBackgrounds = True
			Renderer.RenderingOptions.PaperOrientation = IronPdf.Rendering.PdfPaperOrientation.Portrait
			Renderer.RenderingOptions.Title = "My PDF Document Name"
			Renderer.RenderingOptions.EnableJavaScript = True
			Renderer.RenderingOptions.RenderDelay = 50
			Renderer.RenderingOptions.CssMediaType = IronPdf.Rendering.PdfCssMediaType.Screen
			Renderer.RenderingOptions.GrayScale = False
			Renderer.RenderingOptions.FitToPaperMode = IronPdf.Engines.Chrome.FitToPaperModes.Automatic
			Renderer.RenderingOptions.InputEncoding = Encoding.UTF8
			Renderer.RenderingOptions.Zoom = 100
			Renderer.RenderingOptions.CreatePdfFormsFromHtml = True

			' Change margins (millimeters)
			Renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginTop = 40
			Renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginLeft = 20
			Renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginRight = 20
			Renderer.RenderingOptions.MarginBottom = 40

			' Use 2 if a cover page will be appended
			Renderer.RenderingOptions.FirstPageNumber = 1

			Renderer.RenderHtmlFileAsPdf("my-content.html").SaveAs("my-content.pdf")
		End Sub
	End Class
End Namespace

VB C#

14. Download the C# PDF Cheat Sheet

We have compiled this tutorial as an easy to read and share PDF document that explains in full how to create and edit PDFs in C# and VB.NET using the IronPDF library.

You can download it and use it as a develop guide for your .NET projects, or print it as a handy companion for IronPDF development. This saves time and effort in getting started adding PDF features to any .NET project.

15. Learn More

To learn more about HTML to PDF in C# or VB.NET applications, please read the detailed C# HTML to PDF Tutorial. The tutorial clearly explains advanced PDF settings with HTML templates, CSS, Images, and JavaScript.

If you're interested in how to dynamically render ASPX pages in ASP.NET applications as PDFs, check out the full ASPX to PDF Tutorial.

A full IronPDF API reference for .NET developers is also available.

Tutorial Quick Access

View the API Reference

Explore the API Reference for IronPDF, outlining the details of all of IronPDF’s features, namespaces, classes, methods fields and enums.

View the API Reference

Next Tutorial

Ready to get started? Version: 2023.1 just released

View Licenses >

How to Get Started with the IronPDF C# PDF Library

Work with PDFs in C# Quick Steps:

Step 1

1. Install the IronPDF C# Library to your Project

Download DLL

Manually install into your project

Install with NuGet

1.1. Install with NuGet Package Manager

1.2. Directly Download the DLL

1.3. Install and Deploy the Library

1.4A Optional: Linux Deployment

1.4B Optional: Docker Deployment

1.4C Optional: Azure Deployment

1.4D Optional: Amazon AWS Deployment

1.4E Optional: macOS Support

How to Tutorials

2. Render HTML String to PDF

3. Convert HTML File to PDF

4. Render Existing URL to PDF

5. ASP.NET Web Forms to PDF

6. Route ASP MVC View to PDF

7. Add Headers and Footers

7.1. Add Headers and Footers with HTML

8. Encrypt PDFs with a Password

9. Merge and Split PDF Documents

10. Extract Images from PDF Documents

11. Enable JavaScript

12. PDF OCR and Text Extraction

13. Use More Rendering Options

14. Download the C# PDF Cheat Sheet

15. Learn More

Tutorial Quick Access

View the API Reference

Ready to get started? Version: 2023.1 just released