Converting Base64 to PDF File in JavaScript with Code Examples
Base64 is a group of similar binary-to-text encoding schemes that represent binary data in an ASCII string format by translating it into a radix-64 representation. It is commonly used for encoding data in transfer protocols such as email, web services, and other applications.
PDF (Portable Document Format) is a popular file format used for document exchange and representation. It was developed by Adobe Systems and is now maintained by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
In this article, we will look at how to convert a Base64 string to a PDF file using JavaScript. We will provide code examples for different scenarios and also explain the steps involved in the conversion process.
Scenario 1: Convert Base64 to PDF on the Client-Side
In this scenario, we will use JavaScript to convert Base64 to a PDF file in the client-side. The steps involved in this process are:
-
Get the Base64 string from the source (e.g., a text field or an API response).
-
Use the JavaScript
atobfunction to decode the Base64 string. -
Create a Blob (binary large object) object using the decoded string.
-
Create an object URL that points to the Blob object.
-
Use the object URL to open the PDF file in a new window or a new tab.
Here is the code for this scenario:
// 1. Get the Base64 string
var base64 = "...";
// 2. Decode the Base64 string
var binaryString = atob(base64);
// 3. Create a Blob object
var blob = new Blob([binaryString], {type: 'application/pdf'});
// 4. Create an object URL
var objectURL = URL.createObjectURL(blob);
// 5. Open the PDF file
window.open(objectURL, '_blank');
Scenario 2: Convert Base64 to PDF on the Server-Side
In this scenario, we will use JavaScript to send the Base64 string to the server and then use a server-side language to convert it to a PDF file. The steps involved in this process are:
-
Get the Base64 string from the source (e.g., a text field or an API response).
-
Use an AJAX call to send the Base64 string to the server.
-
In the server-side, use the appropriate language (e.g., PHP, Python, Ruby, etc.) to decode the Base64 string and save it to a PDF file.
Here is an example of how to convert Base64 to PDF using PHP on the server-side:
// 1. Get the Base64 string
var base64 = "...";
// 2. Send the Base64 string to the server using AJAX
$.ajax({
type: 'POST',
url: '/convert_to_pdf.php',
data: {base64: base64},
success: function(response) {
console.log(response);
}
});
And here is the PHP code for convert_to_pdf.php:
<?php
// Get the Base64 string from the request
$base64 = $_POST['base64'];
// Decode the Base64 string
$binary
Base64 Encoding
Base64 encoding is a process of converting binary data into a representation that uses only 64 characters (i.e., A-Z, a-z, 0-9, and two special characters, "+" and "/"). The purpose of this encoding is to represent binary data in a way that can be safely transmitted over networks and stored in databases, files, or other text-based systems.
Base64 encoding works by dividing the binary data into groups of 6 bits and then mapping each group to one of the 64 characters defined in the Base64 character set. The encoded string is then padded with "=" characters to ensure that its length is a multiple of 4 characters.
Base64 encoding has several advantages, including:
- It is simple to implement and widely supported.
- It can be used to encode binary data of any type, including images, audio files, and videos.
- The encoded string is relatively short, which makes it easier to transmit and store compared to the original binary data.
Base64 encoding also has some disadvantages, including:
- It increases the size of the data by approximately 33%.
- It is not suitable for compressing large amounts of data because it does not use any lossless compression algorithms.
PDF Format
PDF (Portable Document Format) is a file format used for representing documents in a manner independent of the application software, hardware, and operating system used to create them. PDF files contain a complete description of the document's text, graphics, and images, which makes them ideal for exchanging documents between computers and devices.
The PDF format was created by Adobe Systems in 1993 and is now maintained by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The format is widely used for creating, sharing, and exchanging electronic documents, including invoices, contracts, brochures, and more.
One of the key advantages of PDF is its ability to preserve the layout, images, and other elements of a document across different platforms and devices. PDF files can also be password protected and encrypted to ensure their confidentiality and security.
Another advantage of PDF is that it can contain interactive elements, such as links, forms, and buttons, which makes it a popular format for creating electronic forms and documents that require user interaction.
Blob Object
A Blob (binary large object) is an object that represents a chunk of binary data in JavaScript. Blobs can be used to store and transfer large amounts of binary data, such as images, audio files, and videos, in a single object.
Blobs can be created using the `Blob` constructor in JavaScript. The `Blob` constructor takes two arguments: an array of binary data and an object that specifies the type of the data.
Blobs can be used to create object URLs, which are unique URLs that point to the Blob data. Object URLs can be used to open the Blob data in a new window or a new tab, or to download it as a file.
var binaryString = atob(base64);
var blob = new Blob([binaryString], {type: 'application/pdf'});
var objectURL = URL.createObjectURL(blob);
window.open(objectURL, '_blank');
In this code example, the `atob` function is used to decode the Base64 string into a binary string. The binary string is then used to create a Blob object using the `Blob` constructor. The `URL.createObjectURL` function is then used to create an object URL that points to the Blob data. Finally, the `window.
## Popular questions
1. What is Base64 encoding and what is it used for?
Base64 encoding is a process of converting binary data into a representation that uses only 64 characters (i.e., A-Z, a-z, 0-9, and two special characters, "+" and "/"). The purpose of this encoding is to represent binary data in a way that can be safely transmitted over networks and stored in databases, files, or other text-based systems.
2. What is the PDF format and what is it used for?
PDF (Portable Document Format) is a file format used for representing documents in a manner independent of the application software, hardware, and operating system used to create them. PDF files contain a complete description of the document's text, graphics, and images, which makes them ideal for exchanging documents between computers and devices.
3. What is a Blob object in JavaScript?
A Blob (binary large object) is an object that represents a chunk of binary data in JavaScript. Blobs can be used to store and transfer large amounts of binary data, such as images, audio files, and videos, in a single object.
4. How can a Base64 encoded string be converted to a PDF file in JavaScript?
To convert a Base64 encoded string to a PDF file in JavaScript, the string must first be decoded into its original binary data. This can be done using the `atob` function in JavaScript. The binary data can then be used to create a Blob object, which can be saved as a PDF file using the `URL.createObjectURL` function and a download link.
var binaryString = atob(base64);
var blob = new Blob([binaryString], {type: 'application/pdf'});
var objectURL = URL.createObjectURL(blob);
var link = document.createElement('a');
link.href = objectURL;
link.download = 'file.pdf';
link.click();
5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using Base64 encoding?
Advantages:
- It is simple to implement and widely supported.
- It can be used to encode binary data of any type, including images, audio files, and videos.
- The encoded string is relatively short, which makes it easier to transmit and store compared to the original binary data.
Disadvantages:
- It increases the size of the data by approximately 33%.
- It is not suitable for compressing large amounts of data because it does not use any lossless compression algorithms.
### Tag
Encoding.
