Convert Excel to PDF with JavaScript in React

Microsoft Excel is a powerful tool for managing and analyzing data, but its file format can be difficult to share, especially when recipients don’t have Excel. Converting an Excel file to PDF solves this problem by preserving the document’s layout, fonts, and formatting, ensuring it looks the same on any device. PDFs are universally accessible, making them ideal for sharing reports, invoices, or presentations. They also prevent unwanted editing, ensuring the content remains intact and easily viewable by anyone. In this article, we will demonstrate how to convert Excel to PDF in React using Spire.XLS for JavaScript.

Convert an Entire Excel Workbook to PDF
Convert a Specific Worksheet to PDF
Fit Sheet on One Page while Converting a Worksheet to PDF
Customize Page Margins while Converting a Worksheet to PDF
Specify Page Size while Converting a Worksheet to PDF
Convert a Cell Range to PDF

Install Spire.XLS for JavaScript

To get started with converting Excel to PDF in a React application, you can either download Spire.XLS for JavaScript from our website or install it via npm with the following command:

Package Manager

npm i spire.xls

Make sure to copy all the dependencies to the public folder of your project. Additionally, include the required font files to ensure accurate and consistent text rendering.

For more details, refer to the documentation: How to Integrate Spire.XLS for JavaScript in a React Project

Convert an Entire Excel Workbook to PDF

Converting an entire Excel workbook to PDF allows users to share all sheets in a single, universally accessible file. Using the Workbook.SaveToFile() function of Spire.XLS for JavaScript, you can easily save the entire workbook in PDF format. The key steps are as follows.

Load the font file to ensure correct text rendering.
Create a Workbook object using the wasmModule.Workbook.Create() function.
Load the Excel file using the Workbook.LoadFromFile() function.
Save the Excel file to PDF using the Workbook.SaveToFile() function.

Code example:

JavaScript

import React, { useState, useEffect } from 'react';

function App() {

  // State to hold the loaded WASM module
  const [wasmModule, setWasmModule] = useState(null);

  // useEffect hook to load the WASM module when the component mounts
  useEffect(() => {
    const loadWasm = async () => {
      try {

        // Access the Module and spirexls from the global window object
        const { Module, spirexls } = window;

        // Set the wasmModule state when the runtime is initialized
        Module.onRuntimeInitialized = () => {
          setWasmModule(spirexls);
        };
      } catch (err) {

        // Log any errors that occur during loading
        console.error('Failed to load WASM module:', err);
      }
    };

    // Create a script element to load the WASM JavaScript file
    const script = document.createElement('script');
    script.src = `${process.env.PUBLIC_URL}/Spire.Xls.Base.js`;
    script.onload = loadWasm;

    // Append the script to the document body
    document.body.appendChild(script);

    // Cleanup function to remove the script when the component unmounts
    return () => {
      document.body.removeChild(script);
    };
  }, []); 

  // Function to convert Excel file to PDF
  const ExcelToPDF = async () => {
    if (wasmModule) {

      // Load the ARIALUNI.TTF font file into the virtual file system (VFS)
      await wasmModule.FetchFileToVFS('ARIALUNI.TTF', '/Library/Fonts/', `${process.env.PUBLIC_URL}/`);

      // Load the input file into the virtual file system (VFS)
      const inputFileName = 'Sample.xlsx';
      await wasmModule.FetchFileToVFS(inputFileName, '', `${process.env.PUBLIC_URL}/`);
      // Specify the output PDF file path
      const outputFileName = 'ToPDF.pdf';

      // Create a new workbook
      const workbook = wasmModule.Workbook.Create();
      // Load an existing Excel document
      workbook.LoadFromFile({fileName: inputFileName});

      //Save to PDF
      workbook.SaveToFile({fileName: outputFileName , fileFormat: wasmModule.FileFormat.PDF});
      
      // Read the saved file and convert it to a Blob object
      const modifiedFileArray = wasmModule.FS.readFile(outputFileName);
      const modifiedFile = new Blob([modifiedFileArray], { type: 'application/pdf' });
      
      // Create a URL for the Blob and initiate the download
      const url = URL.createObjectURL(modifiedFile);
      const a = document.createElement('a');
      a.href = url;
      a.download = outputFileName;
      document.body.appendChild(a);
      a.click(); 
      document.body.removeChild(a); 
      URL.revokeObjectURL(url); 

      // Clean up resources used by the workbook
      workbook.Dispose();
    }
  };

  return (
    <div style={{ textAlign: 'center', height: '300px' }}>
      <h1>Convert an Excel File to PDF Using JavaScript in React</h1>
      <button onClick={ExcelToPDF} disabled={!wasmModule}>
        Convert
      </button>
    </div>
  );
}

export default App;

Run the code to launch the React app at localhost:3000. Once it's running, click on the "Convert" button to download the PDF version of the Excel file:

React app runs at localhost:3000

Below is the converted PDF document:

Convert an Entire Excel Workbook to PDF

Convert a Specific Worksheet to PDF

To convert a single worksheet to PDF, use the Worksheet.SaveToPdf() function in Spire.XLS for JavaScript. This feature lets you efficiently extract and convert only the necessary worksheet, making your reporting process more streamlined. The key steps are as follows.

Load the font file to ensure correct text rendering.
Create a Workbook object using the wasmModule.Workbook.Create() function.
Load the Excel file using the Workbook.LoadFromFile() function.
Get a specific worksheet using the Workbook.Worksheets.get(index) function.
Save the worksheet to PDF using the Worksheet.SaveToPdf() function.

Code example:

JavaScript

import React, { useState, useEffect } from 'react';

function App() {

  // State to hold the loaded WASM module
  const [wasmModule, setWasmModule] = useState(null);

  // useEffect hook to load the WASM module when the component mounts
  useEffect(() => {
    const loadWasm = async () => {
      try {

        // Access the Module and spirexls from the global window object
        const { Module, spirexls } = window;

        // Set the wasmModule state when the runtime is initialized
        Module.onRuntimeInitialized = () => {
          setWasmModule(spirexls);
        };
      } catch (err) {

        // Log any errors that occur during loading
        console.error('Failed to load WASM module:', err);
      }
    };

    // Create a script element to load the WASM JavaScript file
    const script = document.createElement('script');
    script.src = `${process.env.PUBLIC_URL}/Spire.Xls.Base.js`;
    script.onload = loadWasm;

    // Append the script to the document body
    document.body.appendChild(script);

    // Cleanup function to remove the script when the component unmounts
    return () => {
      document.body.removeChild(script);
    };
  }, []); 

  // Function to convert Excel file to PDF
  const ExcelToPDF = async () => {
    if (wasmModule) {
      // Load the ARIALUNI.TTF font file into the virtual file system (VFS)
      await wasmModule.FetchFileToVFS('ARIALUNI.TTF', '/Library/Fonts/', `${process.env.PUBLIC_URL}/`);
      // Load the input file into the virtual file system (VFS)
      const inputFileName = 'Sample.xlsx';
      await wasmModule.FetchFileToVFS(inputFileName, '', `${process.env.PUBLIC_URL}/`);
      
      // Create a new workbook
      const workbook = wasmModule.Workbook.Create();
      // Load an existing Excel document
      workbook.LoadFromFile({fileName: inputFileName});

      // Get the second worksheet
      let sheet = workbook.Worksheets.get(1);

      // Specify the output PDF file path
      const outputFileName = sheet.Name + '.pdf';
      //Save the worksheet to PDF
      sheet.SaveToPdf({fileName: outputFileName});
      
      // Read the saved file and convert it to a Blob object
      const modifiedFileArray = wasmModule.FS.readFile(outputFileName);
      const modifiedFile = new Blob([modifiedFileArray], { type: 'application/pdf' });
      
      // Create a URL for the Blob and initiate the download
      const url = URL.createObjectURL(modifiedFile);
      const a = document.createElement('a');
      a.href = url;
      a.download = outputFileName;
      document.body.appendChild(a);
      a.click(); 
      document.body.removeChild(a); 
      URL.revokeObjectURL(url); 

      // Clean up resources used by the workbook
      workbook.Dispose();
    }
  };

  return (
    <div style={{ textAlign: 'center', height: '300px' }}>
      <h1>Convert an Excel Worksheet to PDF Using JavaScript in React</h1>
      <button onClick={ExcelToPDF} disabled={!wasmModule}>
        Convert
      </button>
    </div>
  );
}

export default App;

Convert a Specific Worksheet to PDF

Fit Sheet on One Page while Converting a Worksheet to PDF

Fitting a worksheet onto a single page in the output PDF enhances readability, especially for large datasets. Spire.XLS for JavaScript offers the Workbook.ConverterSetting.SheetFitToPage property, which determines whether the worksheet content should be scaled to fit on a single page when saved as a PDF. The key steps are as follows.

Load the font file to ensure correct text rendering.
Create a Workbook object using the wasmModule.Workbook.Create() function.
Load the Excel file using the Workbook.LoadFromFile() function.
Fit the worksheet on one page by setting the Workbook.ConverterSetting.SheetFitToPage property to true.
Get a specific worksheet using the Workbook.Worksheets.get(index) function.
Save the worksheet to PDF using the Worksheet.SaveToPdf() function.

Code example:

JavaScript

import React, { useState, useEffect } from 'react';

function App() {

  // State to hold the loaded WASM module
  const [wasmModule, setWasmModule] = useState(null);

  // useEffect hook to load the WASM module when the component mounts
  useEffect(() => {
    const loadWasm = async () => {
      try {

        // Access the Module and spirexls from the global window object
        const { Module, spirexls } = window;

        // Set the wasmModule state when the runtime is initialized
        Module.onRuntimeInitialized = () => {
          setWasmModule(spirexls);
        };
      } catch (err) {

        // Log any errors that occur during loading
        console.error('Failed to load WASM module:', err);
      }
    };

    // Create a script element to load the WASM JavaScript file
    const script = document.createElement('script');
    script.src = `${process.env.PUBLIC_URL}/Spire.Xls.Base.js`;
    script.onload = loadWasm;

    // Append the script to the document body
    document.body.appendChild(script);

    // Cleanup function to remove the script when the component unmounts
    return () => {
      document.body.removeChild(script);
    };
  }, []); 

  // Function to convert Excel file to PDF
  const ExcelToPDF = async () => {
    if (wasmModule) {
      // Load the ARIALUNI.TTF font file into the virtual file system (VFS)
      await wasmModule.FetchFileToVFS('ARIALUNI.TTF', '/Library/Fonts/', `${process.env.PUBLIC_URL}/`);
      // Load the input file into the virtual file system (VFS)
      const inputFileName = 'Sample.xlsx';
      await wasmModule.FetchFileToVFS(inputFileName, '', `${process.env.PUBLIC_URL}/`);
      
      // Create a new workbook
      const workbook = wasmModule.Workbook.Create();
      // Load an existing Excel document
      workbook.LoadFromFile({fileName: inputFileName});

      // Fit sheet on one page
      workbook.ConverterSetting.SheetFitToPage = true;

      // Get the first worksheet
      let sheet = workbook.Worksheets.get(0);

      // Specify the output PDF file path
      const outputFileName = 'FitSheetOnOnePage.pdf';
      //Save the worksheet to PDF
      sheet.SaveToPdf({fileName: outputFileName});
      
      // Read the saved file and convert it to a Blob object
      const modifiedFileArray = wasmModule.FS.readFile(outputFileName);
      const modifiedFile = new Blob([modifiedFileArray], { type: 'application/pdf' });
      
      // Create a URL for the Blob and initiate the download
      const url = URL.createObjectURL(modifiedFile);
      const a = document.createElement('a');
      a.href = url;
      a.download = outputFileName;
      document.body.appendChild(a);
      a.click(); 
      document.body.removeChild(a); 
      URL.revokeObjectURL(url); 

      // Clean up resources used by the workbook
      workbook.Dispose();
    }
  };

  return (
    <div style={{ textAlign: 'center', height: '300px' }}>
      <h1>Convert an Excel Worksheet to PDF Using JavaScript in React</h1>
      <button onClick={ExcelToPDF} disabled={!wasmModule}>
        Convert
      </button>
    </div>
  );
}

export default App;

Customize Page Margins while Converting a Worksheet to PDF

Customizing page margins when converting an Excel worksheet to PDF ensures that your content is well-aligned and visually appealing. Using the Worksheet.PageSetup.TopMargin, Worksheet.PageSetup.BottomMargin, Worksheet.PageSetup.LeftMargin, and Worksheet.PageSetup.RightMargin properties, you can adjust or remove page margins as needed. The key steps are as follows.

Load the font file to ensure correct text rendering.
Create a Workbook object using the wasmModule.Workbook.Create() function.
Load the Excel file using the Workbook.LoadFromFile() function.
Get a specific worksheet using the Workbook.Worksheets.get(index) function.
Adjust the page margins of the worksheet using the Worksheet.PageSetup.PageMargins property.
Save the worksheet to PDF using the Worksheet.SaveToPdf() function.

Code example:

JavaScript

import React, { useState, useEffect } from 'react';

function App() {

  // State to hold the loaded WASM module
  const [wasmModule, setWasmModule] = useState(null);

  // useEffect hook to load the WASM module when the component mounts
  useEffect(() => {
    const loadWasm = async () => {
      try {

        // Access the Module and spirexls from the global window object
        const { Module, spirexls } = window;

        // Set the wasmModule state when the runtime is initialized
        Module.onRuntimeInitialized = () => {
          setWasmModule(spirexls);
        };
      } catch (err) {

        // Log any errors that occur during loading
        console.error('Failed to load WASM module:', err);
      }
    };

    // Create a script element to load the WASM JavaScript file
    const script = document.createElement('script');
    script.src = `${process.env.PUBLIC_URL}/Spire.Xls.Base.js`;
    script.onload = loadWasm;

    // Append the script to the document body
    document.body.appendChild(script);

    // Cleanup function to remove the script when the component unmounts
    return () => {
      document.body.removeChild(script);
    };
  }, []); 

  // Function to convert Excel file to PDF
  const ExcelToPDF = async () => {
    if (wasmModule) {
      // Load the ARIALUNI.TTF font file into the virtual file system (VFS)
      await wasmModule.FetchFileToVFS('ARIALUNI.TTF', '/Library/Fonts/', `${process.env.PUBLIC_URL}/`);
      // Load the input file into the virtual file system (VFS)
      const inputFileName = 'Sample.xlsx';
      await wasmModule.FetchFileToVFS(inputFileName, '', `${process.env.PUBLIC_URL}/`);
      
      // Create a new workbook
      const workbook = wasmModule.Workbook.Create();
      // Load an existing Excel document
      workbook.LoadFromFile({fileName: inputFileName});

      // Get the first worksheet
      let sheet = workbook.Worksheets.get(0);

      // Adjust page margins of the worksheet
      sheet.PageSetup.TopMargin = 0.5;
      sheet.PageSetup.BottomMargin = 0.5;
      sheet.PageSetup.LeftMargin = 0.3;
      sheet.PageSetup.RightMargin = 0.3;

      // Specify the output PDF file path
      const outputFileName = 'ToPdfWithSpecificPageMargins.pdf';
      //Save the worksheet to PDF
      sheet.SaveToPdf({fileName: outputFileName});
      
      // Read the saved file and convert it to a Blob object
      const modifiedFileArray = wasmModule.FS.readFile(outputFileName);
      const modifiedFile = new Blob([modifiedFileArray], { type: 'application/pdf' });
      
      // Create a URL for the Blob and initiate the download
      const url = URL.createObjectURL(modifiedFile);
      const a = document.createElement('a');
      a.href = url;
      a.download = outputFileName;
      document.body.appendChild(a);
      a.click(); 
      document.body.removeChild(a); 
      URL.revokeObjectURL(url); 

      // Clean up resources used by the workbook
      workbook.Dispose();
    }
  };

  return (
    <div style={{ textAlign: 'center', height: '300px' }}>
      <h1>Convert an Excel Worksheet to PDF Using JavaScript in React</h1>
      <button onClick={ExcelToPDF} disabled={!wasmModule}>
        Convert
      </button>
    </div>
  );
}

export default App;

Specify Page Size while Converting a Worksheet to PDF

Choosing the correct page size when converting an Excel worksheet to PDF is essential for meeting specific printing or submission standards. Spire.XLS for JavaScript offers the Worksheet.PageSetup.PaperSize property, which allows you to select from various predefined page sizes or set a custom size. The key steps are as follows.

Load the font file to ensure correct text rendering.
Create a Workbook object using the wasmModule.Workbook.Create() function.
Load the Excel file using the Workbook.LoadFromFile() function.
Get a specific worksheet using the Workbook.Worksheets.get(index) function.
Set the page size of the worksheet using the Worksheet.PageSetup.PaperSize property.
Save the worksheet to PDF using the Worksheet.SaveToPdf() function.

Code example:

JavaScript

import React, { useState, useEffect } from 'react';

function App() {

  // State to hold the loaded WASM module
  const [wasmModule, setWasmModule] = useState(null);

  // useEffect hook to load the WASM module when the component mounts
  useEffect(() => {
    const loadWasm = async () => {
      try {

        // Access the Module and spirexls from the global window object
        const { Module, spirexls } = window;

        // Set the wasmModule state when the runtime is initialized
        Module.onRuntimeInitialized = () => {
          setWasmModule(spirexls);
        };
      } catch (err) {

        // Log any errors that occur during loading
        console.error('Failed to load WASM module:', err);
      }
    };

    // Create a script element to load the WASM JavaScript file
    const script = document.createElement('script');
    script.src = `${process.env.PUBLIC_URL}/Spire.Xls.Base.js`;
    script.onload = loadWasm;

    // Append the script to the document body
    document.body.appendChild(script);

    // Cleanup function to remove the script when the component unmounts
    return () => {
      document.body.removeChild(script);
    };
  }, []); 

  // Function to convert Excel file to PDF
  const ExcelToPDF = async () => {
    if (wasmModule) {
      // Load the ARIALUNI.TTF font file into the virtual file system (VFS)
      await wasmModule.FetchFileToVFS('ARIALUNI.TTF', '/Library/Fonts/', `${process.env.PUBLIC_URL}/`);
      // Load the input file into the virtual file system (VFS)
      const inputFileName = 'Sample.xlsx';
      await wasmModule.FetchFileToVFS(inputFileName, '', `${process.env.PUBLIC_URL}/`);
      
      // Create a new workbook
      const workbook = wasmModule.Workbook.Create();
      // Load an existing Excel document
      workbook.LoadFromFile({fileName: inputFileName});

      // Get the first worksheet
      let sheet = workbook.Worksheets.get(0);

      // Set the page size of the worksheet
      sheet.PageSetup.PaperSize = wasmModule.PaperSizeType.PaperA3;

      // Specify the output PDF file path
      const outputFileName = 'ToPdfWithSpecificPageSize.pdf';
      //Save the worksheet to PDF
      sheet.SaveToPdf({fileName: outputFileName});
      
      // Read the saved file and convert it to a Blob object
      const modifiedFileArray = wasmModule.FS.readFile(outputFileName);
      const modifiedFile = new Blob([modifiedFileArray], { type: 'application/pdf' });
      
      // Create a URL for the Blob and initiate the download
      const url = URL.createObjectURL(modifiedFile);
      const a = document.createElement('a');
      a.href = url;
      a.download = outputFileName;
      document.body.appendChild(a);
      a.click(); 
      document.body.removeChild(a); 
      URL.revokeObjectURL(url); 

      // Clean up resources used by the workbook
      workbook.Dispose();
    }
  };

  return (
    <div style={{ textAlign: 'center', height: '300px' }}>
      <h1>Convert an Excel Worksheet to PDF Using JavaScript in React</h1>
      <button onClick={ExcelToPDF} disabled={!wasmModule}>
        Convert
      </button>
    </div>
  );
}

export default App;

Convert a Cell Range to PDF

Converting a specific cell range to PDF allows users to export only a selected portion of the worksheet, ideal for focused reporting or sharing key data points. Using the Worksheet.PageSetup.PrintArea property, you can specify a cell range for conversion. The key steps are as follows.

Load the font file to ensure correct text rendering.
Create a Workbook object using the wasmModule.Workbook.Create() function.
Load the Excel file using the Workbook.LoadFromFile() function.
Get a specific worksheet using the Workbook.Worksheets.get(index) function.
Specify the cell range of the worksheet for conversion using the Worksheet.PageSetup.PrintArea property.
Save the worksheet to PDF using the Worksheet.SaveToPdf() function.

Code example:

JavaScript

import React, { useState, useEffect } from 'react';

function App() {

  // State to hold the loaded WASM module
  const [wasmModule, setWasmModule] = useState(null);

  // useEffect hook to load the WASM module when the component mounts
  useEffect(() => {
    const loadWasm = async () => {
      try {

        // Access the Module and spirexls from the global window object
        const { Module, spirexls } = window;

        // Set the wasmModule state when the runtime is initialized
        Module.onRuntimeInitialized = () => {
          setWasmModule(spirexls);
        };
      } catch (err) {

        // Log any errors that occur during loading
        console.error('Failed to load WASM module:', err);
      }
    };

    // Create a script element to load the WASM JavaScript file

    const script = document.createElement('script');
    script.src = `${process.env.PUBLIC_URL}/Spire.Xls.Base.js`;
    script.onload = loadWasm;

    // Append the script to the document body
    document.body.appendChild(script);

    // Cleanup function to remove the script when the component unmounts
    return () => {
      document.body.removeChild(script);
    };
  }, []); 

  // Function to convert Excel file to PDF
  const ExcelToPDF = async () => {
    if (wasmModule) {
      // Load the ARIALUNI.TTF font file into the virtual file system (VFS)
      await wasmModule.FetchFileToVFS('ARIALUNI.TTF', '/Library/Fonts/', `${process.env.PUBLIC_URL}/`);
      // Load the input file into the virtual file system (VFS)
      const inputFileName = 'Sample.xlsx';
      await wasmModule.FetchFileToVFS(inputFileName, '', `${process.env.PUBLIC_URL}/`);
      
      // Create a new workbook
      const workbook = wasmModule.Workbook.Create();
      // Load an existing Excel document
      workbook.LoadFromFile({fileName: inputFileName});

      // Get the first worksheet
      let sheet = workbook.Worksheets.get(0);

      // Set the page size of the worksheet
      sheet.PageSetup.PrintArea = "B5:E17";

      // Specify the output PDF file path
      const outputFileName = 'CellRangeToPDF.pdf';
      //Save the worksheet to PDF
      sheet.SaveToPdf({fileName: outputFileName});
      
      // Read the saved file and convert it to a Blob object
      const modifiedFileArray = wasmModule.FS.readFile(outputFileName);
      const modifiedFile = new Blob([modifiedFileArray], { type: 'application/pdf' });
      
      // Create a URL for the Blob and initiate the download
      const url = URL.createObjectURL(modifiedFile);
      const a = document.createElement('a');
      a.href = url;
      a.download = outputFileName;
      document.body.appendChild(a);
      a.click(); 
      document.body.removeChild(a); 
      URL.revokeObjectURL(url); 

      // Clean up resources used by the workbook
      workbook.Dispose();
    }
  };

  return (
    <div style={{ textAlign: 'center', height: '300px' }}>
      <h1>Convert a Cell Range to PDF Using JavaScript in React</h1>
      <button onClick={ExcelToPDF} disabled={!wasmModule}>
        Convert
      </button>
    </div>
  );
}

export default App;

Convert a Cell Range to PDF

Get a Free License

To fully experience the capabilities of Spire.XLS for JavaScript without any evaluation limitations, you can request a free 30-day trial license.

Convert Excel to PDF with JavaScript in React

Install Spire.XLS for JavaScript

Convert an Entire Excel Workbook to PDF

Convert a Specific Worksheet to PDF

Fit Sheet on One Page while Converting a Worksheet to PDF

Customize Page Margins while Converting a Worksheet to PDF

Specify Page Size while Converting a Worksheet to PDF

Convert a Cell Range to PDF

Get a Free License

See Also