How to use custom fonts for PDF creation in Azure function?

The Syncfusion Essential PDF is a feature-rich and high performance .NET Core PDF library used to create, read, and edit PDF documents programmatically without Adobe dependencies. Using this library, you can use custom fonts for PDF creation in Azure functions.

Steps to create PDF with custom fonts in Azure functions programmatically:

1. Create a new Azure function project.
2. Select framework Azure Functions v1 (.NET Core) and select HTTP trigger as follows.
3. Install the Syncfusion.Pdf.Net.Core NuGet package as a reference to your .NET Core project from the NuGet.org.
4. Create a folder and copy the required font files and include the files to the project.

5. Set the copy to output directory property to Copy if newer to all the font files.

6. Refer here to add custom fonts in Azure Blob storage account and  get the uploaded blob URL. In this example, you can get the font stream from Blob URL using the GetStreamFromUrl method.

C#

private static Stream GetStreamFromUrl(string url)
        {
            byte[] fontData = null;
 
            using (var web = new System.Net.WebClient())
                fontData = web.DownloadData(url);
 
            return new MemoryStream(fontData);
        }

7. Include the following namespaces in Function1.cs file.

C#

using Syncfusion.Pdf;
using Syncfusion.Pdf.Graphics;
using System.Net.Http.Headers;
using System.Net;
using System.Net.Http;
using Microsoft.Azure.WebJobs;

8. Add the following code snippet in Function1 to use custom font for PDF creation in Azure functions.

C#

//Creating the PDF document
 
PdfDocument document = new PdfDocument();
 
//Adding the page
 
PdfPage page = document.Pages.Add();
 
//Read font stream from blob to create a PdfFont 
 
Stream fontStreamFromBlob = GetStreamFromUrl("https://pdfcustomfontsample20190.blob.core.windows.net/pdfcustomfontcontainer/Pacifico.ttf");
 
//Create PdfFont from the stream got from blob
 
PdfFont fontBlob = new PdfTrueTypeFont(fontStreamFromBlob, 24);
//Drawing the Unicode string
 
page.Graphics.DrawString("Hello PDF Sample - using font from Blob", fontBlob, PdfBrushes.Black, 50, 50);
 
//Read the font stream from physical path from azure function app directory
 
byte[] data = File.ReadAllBytes(Path.Combine(executionContext.FunctionAppDirectory, "Fonts", "Pacifico.ttf"));
 
Stream fontStream = new MemoryStream(data);
 
//Loading the custom TTF font
 
PdfFont font = new PdfTrueTypeFont(fontStream, 24);
 
//Drawing the Unicode string
 
page.Graphics.DrawString("Hello PDF Sample - using font from Path", font, PdfBrushes.Black, 50, 100);
 
MemoryStream ms = new MemoryStream();
 
document.Save(ms);
 
ms.Position = 0;
 
HttpResponseMessage response = new HttpResponseMessage(HttpStatusCode.OK);
 
response.Content = new ByteArrayContent(ms.ToArray());
 
response.Content.Headers.ContentDisposition = new ContentDispositionHeaderValue("attachment")
 
{
 
        FileName = "Sample.pdf"
 
};
 
response.Content.Headers.ContentType = new MediaTypeHeaderValue("application/pdf");
 
return response;

9. Right-click the project and select Publish. Then, create a new profile in the Publish Window.

10. Create App service using Azure subscription.

11. After creating the profile, click the Publish button.

12. Now, go to Azure portal and select the Functions Apps. After running the service, click Get function URL > Copy. Paste the same in the new browser tab. You will get the output PDF document as follows.

A complete working sample can be downloaded from PDFCustomFont_Sample.zip. 

Take a moment to peruse the documentation, where you will find other options like drawing right-to-left text and multicolumn text, consuming TrueType fonts, Standards fonts, and CJK fonts. Also, the features like PDF form filling, extract text or images from PDF, and protect PDF documents with code examples.

Click here to explore the rich set of Syncfusion Essential PDF features.

An online sample link to generate Hello world PDF document.

See Also:

Create a PDF file in Xamarin

Create a PDF file in ASP.NET Core

Create a PDF file in ASP.NET MVC

Create a PDF file in Windows Forms

Note:

Starting with v16.2.0.x, if you reference Syncfusion® assemblies from the trial setup or the NuGet feed, include a license key in your projects. Refer to the link to learn about generating and registering the Syncfusion® license key in your application to use the components without a trial message.

Conclusion:

I hope you enjoyed learning about how to use custom fonts for PDF creation in Azure function.

You can refer to our Flutter PDF feature tour page to learn about its other groundbreaking features and documentation, and how to quickly get started with configuration specifications. You can also explore our Flutter PDF Flutter PDF examples to understand how to create and manipulate data.

For current customers, you can check out our components from the License and Downloads page. If you are new to Syncfusion®, you can try our 30-day free trial to explore our other controls.

If you have any queries or require clarifications, please let us know in the comments section below. You can also contact us through our support forums or feedback portal. We are always happy to assist you!