TCPDF output without saving file

33
votes

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

8
phppdftcpdf

8 Answers

58
votes

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');

49
votes

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)
13
votes

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');
3
votes

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).

2
votes

Hint - with a saving file:

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

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.

1
votes

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).

-1
votes
      $filename= time()."pdf"; 
    //$filelocation = "C://xampp/htdocs/Nilesh/Projects/mkGroup/admin/PDF";

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

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