Wht is the best solution for HTML to PDF (on Azure Web app) [closed]

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Actually I am trying to convert html content to pdf using NReco PDF converter, however, this line of code pdfDoc.GeneratePdf(HtmlContent); unable to get through on Azure web app, but it works normally on my dev environment. So my Question is which cloud service should i go for?

Deathly answered 15/10, 2015 at 3:25 Comment(0)

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Azure Apps (former WebSites) operate in restricted (partial-trust) environment and wkhtmltopdf.exe (that is internally used by NReco PdfGenerator wrapper) cannot be executed in this case directly from asp.net application.

update:

Unfortunately it will not work with Azure WebJobs as well: tasks are executed under the same (limited) environment as WebSites and GDI functions used by wkhtmltopdf are disabled.

If your ASP.NET app uses wkhtmltopdf-based component for PDF generation (doesn't matter how it is invoked - in separate process or as native DLL API) it will work only under Azure WebRole / WorkerRole / VM.

-- update 2017 --

Wkhtmltopdf (and NReco PdfGenerator wrapper) can be used with Azure Apps with VM-based subscription plan (Basic or higher). At least one issue still exists: it seems fonts API is still restricted and custom fonts cannot be rendered to PDF.

Pollinize answered 15/10, 2015 at 15:22 Comment(6)

Thanks for your answer. I am not familiar with Azure WebJobs, can you give me a place to start in order to archive this? – Deathly 15/10, 2015 at 18:21

A WebJob won't help as it runs under the same sandbox. See this document for sandbox details. At the end there is a list of unsupported frameworks. – Heptagon 16/10, 2015 at 0:40

@David Ebbo I see. Then my only is to switch from web app service to cloud service web role? – Deathly 16/10, 2015 at 1:12

Unfortunately, this may be your only option right now if you must use this component :( – Heptagon 16/10, 2015 at 5:25

@David Ebbo You're absolutely right I forgot that wkhtmltopdf will not work under WebJobs because of GDI functions usage (I've updated my answer). – Pollinize 16/10, 2015 at 7:49

@DavidEbbo Thanks for your advice. I did switched to cloud service and it is working now. – Deathly 19/10, 2015 at 2:28

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I've successfully managed to get wkhtmltopdf working on Azure functions backed by app service. I've used the OpenHtmltoPdf c# package which installs the wkhtmltopdf library automatically. I've published all the required files here:

https://gist.github.com/tmakin/80e1905094245c857c493b7879657095

Update July 2018
I've now switched to DinkToPdf for pdf on azure functions v2 which runs on net core. See here for more info:
https://odetocode.com/blogs/scott/archive/2018/02/14/pdf-generation-in-azure-functions-v2.aspx

Selfhelp answered 9/2, 2017 at 12:14 Comment(3)

I used DinkToPdf on Azure Functions V2 as well, but it stopped working. Is it still working for you? – Consternation 27/4, 2019 at 15:44

Can this be used now too ? I have a requirement for converting HTML file to PDF in Azure Function. – Welbie 10/12, 2020 at 5:46

I've now switched to AWS lambda for hosing DinkToPdf based pdf conversions. Way quicker and much more flexible. – Selfhelp 15/12, 2020 at 22:27

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