C# Read PDF Walkthrough
Today we'll walk through an easy way how to read PDF content and extract text in its original format, from enitre documents or from specific pages, all within your C# project.
How to Read PDF Files in C#
- Download Read and Write PDF C# Library
- Install with NuGet to Test the Library
- Read PDF files, extract content, and even extract high quality and original images
- Used a C# Form to show you the perfect output of reading the PDF content
- View Your PDF Output
Step 1
1. Install IronPDF
Your first step to reading a PDF file in C# will be to install IronPDF, a C# PDF Library that gives you full generating, editing, and manipulating capabilities for your documents in .NET.
You can download the software or access through the NuGet page. IronPDF is free for development and you can use it in your project during this walkthrough tutorial.
PM > Install-Package IronPdf
How to Tutorial
2. Read PDF File in C#



As you open IronPDF, you can see that the library has great functionality for making it easier to work with PDFs. Feel free to explore all the classes and functions.
Using this C# library, we can read PDF files, extract content, and even extract high quality and original images. See the examples below for the many ways we can use different functions to achieve our PDF reading needs in a .NET environment.
/**
Read PDF File
anchor-read-pdf-file-in-c-num
**/
using IronPdf;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Linq;
using System.Windows.Forms;
namespace readpdf
{
public partial class Form1 : Form
{
public Form1()
{
InitializeComponent();
//Select the Desired PDF File
using PdfDocument PDF = PdfDocument.FromFile("any.pdf");
//Using ExtractAllText() method, extract every single text from an pdf
string AllText = PDF.ExtractAllText();
//View text in an Label or textbox
label2.Text = AllText;
//Get all Images
IEnumerable<Image> AllImages = PDF.ExtractAllImages();
//View Image in a PictureBox
pictureBox1.Image = AllImages.First();
//Else Combine above both functionality using PageCount
for (var index = 0; index < PDF.PageCount; index++)
{
int PageNumber = index + 1;
string Text = PDF.ExtractTextFromPage(index);
IEnumerable<Image> Images = PDF.ExtractImagesFromPage(index);
}
}
}
}
/**
Read PDF File
anchor-read-pdf-file-in-c-num
**/
using IronPdf;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Linq;
using System.Windows.Forms;
namespace readpdf
{
public partial class Form1 : Form
{
public Form1()
{
InitializeComponent();
//Select the Desired PDF File
using PdfDocument PDF = PdfDocument.FromFile("any.pdf");
//Using ExtractAllText() method, extract every single text from an pdf
string AllText = PDF.ExtractAllText();
//View text in an Label or textbox
label2.Text = AllText;
//Get all Images
IEnumerable<Image> AllImages = PDF.ExtractAllImages();
//View Image in a PictureBox
pictureBox1.Image = AllImages.First();
//Else Combine above both functionality using PageCount
for (var index = 0; index < PDF.PageCount; index++)
{
int PageNumber = index + 1;
string Text = PDF.ExtractTextFromPage(index);
IEnumerable<Image> Images = PDF.ExtractImagesFromPage(index);
}
}
}
}
'''
'''Read PDF File
'''anchor-read-pdf-file-in-c-num
'''*
Imports IronPdf
Imports System.Collections.Generic
Imports System.Drawing
Imports System.Linq
Imports System.Windows.Forms
Namespace readpdf
Partial Public Class Form1
Inherits Form
Public Sub New()
InitializeComponent()
'Select the Desired PDF File
Using PDF As PdfDocument = PdfDocument.FromFile("any.pdf")
'Using ExtractAllText() method, extract every single text from an pdf
Dim AllText As String = PDF.ExtractAllText()
'View text in an Label or textbox
label2.Text = AllText
'Get all Images
Dim AllImages As IEnumerable(Of Image) = PDF.ExtractAllImages()
'View Image in a PictureBox
pictureBox1.Image = AllImages.First()
'Else Combine above both functionality using PageCount
For index = 0 To PDF.PageCount - 1
Dim PageNumber As Integer = index + 1
Dim Text As String = PDF.ExtractTextFromPage(index)
Dim Images As IEnumerable(Of Image) = PDF.ExtractImagesFromPage(index)
Next index
End Using
End Sub
End Class
End Namespace
3. PDF Output
We have used a C# Form to show you the perfect output of reading the PDF content. With this approach, it's all about simplicity and using as little code as possible to achieve your project needs.
Library Quick Access
Library Documentation
Documentation for the IronPDF library is available in the handy API Reference for you to explore and share.
Library Documentation