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How to use TCPDF to output pdf file in browser without saving like in ezpdf?

Mirgorod
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8 Answers8

66

Use I for "inline" to send the PDF to the browser, opposed to F to save it as a file.

$pdf->Output('name.pdf', 'I');

Alec
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    how do i send the output pdf as email attachment? – alex Feb 15 '13 at 13:42
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    User $pdf->Output('name.pdf', 'E') as per tcpdf documentation in "http://www.tcpdf.org/doc/code/classTCPDF.html#a3d6dcb62298ec9d42e9125ee2f5b23a1" E: return the document as base64 mime multi-part email attachment (RFC 2045) – wingskush Sep 14 '15 at 10:25
59

This is what I found out in the documentation.

  • I : send the file inline to the browser (default). The plug-in is used if available. The name given by name is used when one selects the "Save as" option on the link generating the PDF.
  • D : send to the browser and force a file download with the name given by name.
  • F : save to a local server file with the name given by name.
  • S : return the document as a string (name is ignored).
  • FI : equivalent to F + I option
  • FD : equivalent to F + D option
  • E : return the document as base64 mime multi-part email attachment (RFC 2045)
Baach
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    I was looking for F to save pdf file on server. Thanks – Kamlesh Jun 05 '21 at 12:24
  • Strange, using PHPMailer to send the PDF as an attachment, the file is corrupted if I use "E", but produces a functional PDF if I use "S", but with "S" none of the images are visible in the PDF. – Josh Jun 25 '21 at 01:11
  • I have a similar issue.... I implemented : `$pdf->Output(__DIR__ . '/mytestfile.pdf', 'FD');` as like as `$pdf->Output(__DIR__ . '/mytestfile.pdf', 'D');` but browser's doesn't open download window to get the PDF... could maybe be related to some php download settings ? if yes, which option I should look at ? – Luigino Apr 22 '22 at 10:53
13

If You want to open dialogue window in browser to save, not open with PDF browser viewer (I was looking for this solution for a while), You should use 'D':

$pdf->Output('name.pdf', 'D');
Line
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3

Print the PDF header (using header() function) like: header("Content-type: application/pdf");

and then just echo the content of the PDF file you created (instead of writing it to disk).

Chris Hasiński
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3

Hint - with a saving file:

$pdf->Output('sandbox/pdf/example.pdf', 'F');
siltendo
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2

I've been using the Output("doc.pdf", "I"); and it doesn't work, I'm always asked for saving the file.

I took a look in documentation and found that

I send the file inline to the browser (default). The plug-in is used if available. The name given by name is used when one selects the "Save as" option on the link generating the PDF. http://www.tcpdf.org/doc/classTCPDF.html#a3d6dcb62298ec9d42e9125ee2f5b23a1

Then I think you have to use a plugin to print it, otherwise it is going to be downloaded.

Carey Gregory
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Djonatan
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    The "plug-in" referred to in the documentation you're quoting is the browser plugin. If your browser doesn't have a PDF viewer plugin (or built-in support), you'll probably be prompted to download it - but that depends on the behaviour of the browser in question. – NullColaShip Jul 01 '16 at 06:03
1

It works with I for inline as stated, but also with O.

$pdf->Output('name.pdf', 'O');

It is perhaps easier to remember (O for Open).

timss
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Guppy
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-2
      $filename= time()."pdf"; 
    //$filelocation = "C://xampp/htdocs/Nilesh/Projects/mkGroup/admin/PDF";

     $filelocation = "/pdf uplaod path/";
     $fileNL = $filelocation."/".$filename;

       $pdf->Output($fileNL,'F');
       $pdf->Output($filename, 'S');
Nilesh Prajapati
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