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Generate PDF/Image node

The Generate PDF/Image node allows you to create PDF and image files (JPG, JPEG, PNG) from DOCX, HTML, or Base64-encoded files. You can use this node when you want to generate documents (PDF) or images (PNG, JPG, and JPEG) based on user inputs.

Use cases

  • Flight boarding pass: Automatically generate a PDF of a boarding pass for users after booking a flight.
  • Medical prescription: Generate a patient's prescription as a downloadable PDF or image that can be easily accessed after a consultation

Configure Generate PDF/Image node

  1. Drag and drop the Generate PDF/Image node to the workflow in the flow editor.

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  2. You can select the following formats to convert:

To convert from docx to PDF format​

To convert docx to PDF format, follow these steps:

  1. Choose the Docs option.

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  2. Define the following fields:

    1. In Template: Click Upload file and upload the template based on which the PDF should be generated. This document should be in .docx format and have placeholder values wherever the dynamic data is to be inserted. The placeholder should be enclosed in single brackets, that is{placeholdername}. For example, The user name is {user name}.
    2. In + Add Variable Mapping: Enter the placeholder name that you have included in docx without the brackets in the left column and select a variable (in which the value is collected from the user) in the right column. You can mutiple placeholder names.
    3. Select an output format: Choose the PDF option as that's the only available option for docs.
    4. Store the response in an object variable. For example, 'pdf_response'.

  3. Include a text node and enter this syntax:{{{variables.pdf_response.file.url}}} to view the pdf file.

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Refer to the following gif to see how the docx format is converted to pdf.

To convert HTML to PDF/JPG/JPEG format​

  1. Choose the HTML option.

  2. Define the following fields: i. In Select variable containing HTML string: Choose the variable that contains the HTML string. ii. In Select an output format, choose the format in which the file should be generated, PDF/JPG/JPEG/PNG. iii. Enable Advanced options to set the margin and dimensions based on which the file should be geenrated.

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    iv. Store the response in an object variable like 'pdf_response'. For example, pdf_response.

  3. Include a text node and enter this syntax:{{{variables.pdf_response.file.url}}} to view the file in pdf or image format.

Refer to the following gif to see how the HTML format is converted to PDF/JPG/JPEG format.

To convert from Base64​

There are two ways by which you can convert Base64 files from:

APIs​

  1. In Input type choose API.

  2. In API, choose the API added to your bot. If your API has dynamic paramters, add nodes to collect that information from users.

  3. In Path to a BASE64 key, enter the path to the BASE64 key.

  4. Select an output format: Choose the PDF option.

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To display PDFs from an API response, store the response in an object variable, for example pdf_response. Include a text node and enter this syntax {{{variables.pdf_response.file.url}}}

Variables​
  1. In Input type choose Variable.
  2. In Select variable, choose the variable that contains the BASE64 file.
  3. Select an output format: Choose the PDF option.

Display the file through the File node. Simply choose the relevant variable from the fetch from variable dropdown, it will send the dynamically generated file as a PDF to the user.