How do I create a PDF from XSL?
James Austin
Updated on March 15, 2026
How do I create a PDF from XSL?
2 Answers. You can use Apache FOP () tool. It can generate PDF document from XSL-FO input. From the C# it is possible to start Apache FOP process pointing it to the XSL-FO file (or use stdin, so you don’t have to use any temporary files).
What is an XSL-FO file?
XSL-FO (XSL Formatting Objects) is a markup language for XML document formatting that is most often used to generate PDF files. XSL-FO is part of XSL (Extensible Stylesheet Language), a set of W3C technologies designed for the transformation and formatting of XML data. The other parts of XSL are XSLT and XPath.
Is Apache FOP dead?
XSL:FO is alive and kicking, not at last since nobody is messing with the specification for the time being.
How do you create a PDF from XML in Java?
Once you have created the template file, you can proceed to convert XML to PDF following the below steps.
- Create an object of Document class.
- Bind XML using Document. bindXml(String, String) method by providing XML and XSLT file.
- Convert XML to PDF using Document. save(String) method.
How do I create an XML PDF?
How to convert XML to PDF in Notepad
- Browse for the XML file by clicking File->Open or pressing Ctrl+O.
- Click File->Print or press Ctrl+P to open the Printer window.
- Select novaPDF from the printers list and click Print.
- Select after save actions if needed and click OK to convert the XML.
How do I open a XSL file?
To open an XSL file:
- Select File>Open.
- In the Open dialog, select the XSL file and click Open. The file extension must be . XSL. The selected file opens in the XSL Editor and the XSL Editor menu appears on the menu bar.
What is XSL example?
XSL gives a developer the tools to describe exactly which data fields in an XML file to display and exactly where and how to display them. Like any style sheet language, XSL can be used to create a style definition for one XML document or reused for many other XML documents.
How do I convert XML to PDF?
Convert XML files to PDF
- Open your XML file with your standard application on your computer as usual.
- There go to File -> Print or just press. Ctrl. + P.
- Choose “Microsoft XPS Document Writer” as your printer.
- Click on “OK” or “Print”.
- Select a destination for your XPS file and click on “Save”.
What is Java FOP?
Formatting Objects Processor (FOP, also known as Apache FOP) is a Java application that converts XSL Formatting Objects (XSL-FO) files to PDF or other printable formats. FOP was originally developed by James Tauber who donated it to the Apache Software Foundation in 1999. It is part of the Apache XML Graphics project.
How do you PDF a document?
Open Acrobat and choose “Tools” > “Create PDF”. Select the file type you want to create a PDF from: single file, multiple files, scan, or other option. Click “Create” or “Next” depending on the file type. Follow the prompts to convert to PDF and save to your desired location.
How do you format a PDF file?
Format text – Change font, size, line spacing, character spacing, horizontal scaling, stroke width, or color
- Choose Tools > Edit PDF > Edit .
- Select the text you want to change.
- In the right-side Format panel, select a font, font size, or other formatting options.