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PDF.js Express REST API

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Merging XFDF using the Express REST API

The following features are available in:

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PDF.js Express Viewer

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PDF.js Express Viewer is a free viewer with limited capabilities compared to PDF.js Express Plus

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PDF.js Express Plus

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PDF.js Express Plus is a commercial PDF SDK for viewing, annotating, signing, form filling and more

This endpoint will merge any new annotations with the existing annotations in the document.

Each successful call to this endpoint counts as one action.

NOTE: It is strongly recommended to use the Rest API Utility package

Endpoint

POST https://api.pdfjs.express/xfdf/merge

Body params

The request body must be formatted as multipart/form-data

NameTypeDescription
fileFile, Blob, string (url), or BufferThe file to process. Must be a valid PDF file. The max file size for an in memory file is 5.5mb. If your file is larger than that, it must be accessible via URL, and the URL must be passed to this parameter. A File object can be retrieved using the getFileData API.
xfdfstringThe XFDF to merge. Can be retrieved using the exportAnnotations API.
licensestringYour PDF.js Express API license key. You must pass the correct license key depending if you are making the request from the server or the client. If no license key is provided, the output will be watermarked and usage will be heavily limited.
headersstringified JSONHeaders to forward when the API downloads your file. Only used if file param is a URL. See this guide for more details.

Response body (success)

A success response will come back in json format and will contain the following:

PropertyTypeDescription
urlstringThe URL where the processed file can be downloaded from (using proper authentication)
idstringThe unique id of the file. Used to delete the file
keystringAn authentication required used to GET the file. See details here

Response body (error)

See the list of error responses for details.

Example

The following example merges XFDF into the current document when a download button is clicked.

WebViewer({...}).then(instance => {

  const { docViewer, annotManager } = instance;

  // a callback function to some "download" button
  const onSave = async () => {
    const xfdf = await annotManager.exportAnnotations({ links: false, widgets: false });
    const fileData = await docViewer.getDocument().getFileData({});
    const blob = new Blob([fileData], {type: 'application/pdf'});

    const data = new FormData();
    data.append('xfdf', xfdf);
    data.append('file', blob);
    data.append('license', my_license_key);

    // Process the file
    const response = await fetch('https://api.pdfjs.express/xfdf/merge', {
      method: 'post',
      body: data
    }).then(resp => resp.json());

    const { url, key, id } = response;

    // Download the file
    const mergedFileBlob = await fetch(url, {
      headers: {
        Authorization: key
      }
    }).then(resp => resp.blob())

    // Do something with blob...
    // save(mergedFileBlob)
  }
})
WebViewer({...}).then(instance => {

  const { documentViewer, annotationManager } = instance.Core;

  // a callback function to some "download" button
  const onSave = async () => {
    const xfdf = await annotationManager.exportAnnotations({ links: false, widgets: false });
    const fileData = await documentViewer.getDocument().getFileData({});
    const blob = new Blob([fileData], {type: 'application/pdf'});

    const data = new FormData();
    data.append('xfdf', xfdf);
    data.append('file', blob);
    data.append('license', my_license_key);

    // Process the file
    const response = await fetch('https://api.pdfjs.express/xfdf/merge', {
      method: 'post',
      body: data
    }).then(resp => resp.json());

    const { url, key, id } = response;

    // Download the file
    const mergedFileBlob = await fetch(url, {
      headers: {
        Authorization: key
      }
    }).then(resp => resp.blob())

    // Do something with blob...
    // save(mergedFileBlob)
  }
})