How to View PDF File in Java

This article illustrates how to view PDF files in Java using IronPDF and walks you through the steps to set up a Maven project. Additionally, it explores other features of IronPDF and discusses its utility in creating powerful PDF-processing applications in Java.

IronPDF: Java PDF Library

IronPDF Java Library is a comprehensive and easy-to-use PDF library specifically designed for Java developers. The library integrates powerful PDF processing features with minimal effort. IronPDF is an all-in-one solution for creating, editing, viewing, and extracting content from PDF files. It simplifies PDF handling in Java applications, allowing developers to focus on their core tasks.

Getting Started with IronPDF for Java

Setting Up the Maven Project

First, set up a Maven project and add the necessary dependencies for IronPDF and the SLF4J logger. Add the following code to your project's pom.xml file:

<!-- Add IronPDF and SLF4J dependencies to your Maven project -->
<dependencies>
    <dependency>
        <groupId>com.ironsoftware</groupId>
        <artifactId>ironpdf</artifactId>
        <version>YOUR_VERSION_HERE</version>
    </dependency>
    <dependency>
        <groupId>org.slf4j</groupId>
        <artifactId>slf4j-api</artifactId>
        <version>YOUR_VERSION_HERE</version>
    </dependency>
</dependencies>

<!-- Add IronPDF and SLF4J dependencies to your Maven project -->
<dependencies>
    <dependency>
        <groupId>com.ironsoftware</groupId>
        <artifactId>ironpdf</artifactId>
        <version>YOUR_VERSION_HERE</version>
    </dependency>
    <dependency>
        <groupId>org.slf4j</groupId>
        <artifactId>slf4j-api</artifactId>
        <version>YOUR_VERSION_HERE</version>
    </dependency>
</dependencies>

Creating a Java Class to View PDF Files

Next, create a Java class to use IronPDF for reading and extracting text from a PDF file. Use the following code as a template:

import java.awt.print.PrinterException;
import java.io.IOException;
import java.nio.file.Paths;

import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.License;
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.PdfDocument;

public class App {

    public static void main(String[] args) throws IOException, PrinterException {
        // Set the IronPDF license key
        License.setLicenseKey("Your-License-Key");

        // Load the PDF file
        PdfDocument pdf = new PdfDocument(Paths.get("C:\\dotnet.pdf"));

        // Extract text from the PDF file
        String text = pdf.extractAllText();

        // Display the extracted text
        System.out.println("Text extracted from the PDF: " + text);
    }
}

import java.awt.print.PrinterException;
import java.io.IOException;
import java.nio.file.Paths;

import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.License;
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.PdfDocument;

public class App {

    public static void main(String[] args) throws IOException, PrinterException {
        // Set the IronPDF license key
        License.setLicenseKey("Your-License-Key");

        // Load the PDF file
        PdfDocument pdf = new PdfDocument(Paths.get("C:\\dotnet.pdf"));

        // Extract text from the PDF file
        String text = pdf.extractAllText();

        // Display the extracted text
        System.out.println("Text extracted from the PDF: " + text);
    }
}

Let's break down the code to understand it better:

Import statements: Import the necessary classes and packages to work with IronPDF and handle exceptions. The java.nio.file.Paths class works with file paths, while the java.awt.print.PrinterException and java.io.IOException handle exceptions that may occur during the PDF processing.

Setting the IronPDF license key: Before using IronPDF, set the license key. Replace "Your-License-Key" with your IronPDF license key to enable the library features.

License.setLicenseKey("Your-License-Key");

License.setLicenseKey("Your-License-Key");

Loading the PDF file: Create a PdfDocument object by providing the PDF file path. Use Paths.get to create a Path object pointing to the "C:\dotnet.pdf" file.

PdfDocument pdf = new PdfDocument(Paths.get("C:\\dotnet.pdf"));

PdfDocument pdf = new PdfDocument(Paths.get("C:\\dotnet.pdf"));

Extracting text from the PDF file: Once loaded, use the [extractAllText](/java/object-reference/api/com/ironsoftware/ironpdf/PdfDocument.html#extractAllText()) method to extract all text from the PDF.

String text = pdf.extractAllText();

String text = pdf.extractAllText();

Displaying the Extracted Text: Print the extracted text to the console for viewing.

System.out.println("Text extracted from the PDF: " + text);

System.out.println("Text extracted from the PDF: " + text);

IronPDF extracts the text from the PDF file as shown in the extracted text section.

The extracted texts

Features of IronPDF

PDF Generation with IronPDF: IronPDF can generate PDF files from various sources like HTML, images, and plain text. This feature is useful for creating dynamic reports, invoices, and documents in PDF format directly from Java applications.

PDF Editing: IronPDF offers tools for editing existing PDFs. Developers can merge PDF documents, split PDFs, and manipulate content within files, allowing creation of custom PDFs for specific needs.

PDF Viewing and Text Extraction with IronPDF: IronPDF makes viewing and extracting text easy, crucial for apps needing text searching, indexing, or parsing within PDFs.

Rasterize PDF to Images: IronPDF can render PDFs as images, simplifying their display in apps or websites. It supports formats like Bitmap, PNG, or JPEG.

PDF Form Filling: IronPDF enables programmatic form filling, automating form tasks, pre-populating forms, and streamlining workflows.

Security Features: IronPDF supports PDF encryption and digital signatures, protecting sensitive information and ensuring document authenticity.

Platform Independence: IronPDF is platform-independent, compatible with various OS like Windows, macOS, and Linux. Java apps using IronPDF can be deployed across different environments smoothly.

Conclusion

In conclusion, IronPDF is an excellent solution for developers aiming to view and manipulate PDFs in Java applications. With features like PDF generation, editing, rendering, and form filling, IronPDF creates powerful, efficient, and user-friendly document management tools. Its platform-independent nature ensures compatibility across environments, ideal for modern Java applications.

IronPDF is not an open-source library but offers a free trial, enabling developers to explore its capabilities. Licensing options start at $749, providing a cost-effective solution for streamlining PDF processing tasks.