--- title: "How to Load and View PDF Files in an Angular App" published_at: "2021-06-01T10:00:06+00:00" modified_at: "2026-07-01T12:23:53+00:00" url: "https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/post/load-view-pdf-files-in-angular" excerpt: "Explore the features of the Angular PDF Viewer, steps to configure the PDF Viewer server-side service and display a PDF file in an Angular app." taxonomy_category: - "Angular" - "PDF" - "PDF viewer" - "Web" taxonomy_post_tag: - "Angular" - "Docker" - "PDF" - "PDF Viewer" - "Web Development" --- # How to Load and View PDF Files in an Angular App [Gayathri Ramalingam](https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/author/gayathri-ramalingam) ![How to Load and View PDF Files in an Angular App](https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/How-to-Load-and-View-PDF-Files-in-an-Angular-App.png) **TL;DR:** Want to easily show PDFs in your Angular app? Get a step-by-step guide to using Syncfusion’s Angular PDF Viewer. You’ll be displaying and interacting with PDFs in no time! This blog shows you how to display a PDF file in an Angular application using Syncfusion’s [Angular PDF Viewer](https://www.syncfusion.com/angular-ui-components/angular-pdf-viewer) control. The PDF Viewer control allows you to view, print, form-fill, and annotate PDF files in your web applications. It provides the best viewing experience with core interactions such as zooming, scrolling, text search, text selection, and copying. The thumbnail, bookmark, hyperlink, and table of contents support provide easy navigation within and outside the PDF files. The PDF Viewer component was developed from the ground up to be lightweight, responsive, modular, and touch-friendly. **Note:** This PDF Viewer control requires a server-side back end Web API service to render PDF content. ## Key features The key features of the Angular PDF Viewer: - **Toolbar**: Built-in toolbar for better user interaction. - **Magnification**: Perform zooming operations for a better viewing experience. - **Navigation**: Easy navigation across PDF pages through link annotation, thumbnail view, and bookmark view. - **Text Selection**: Select and copy text from a PDF file. - **Text Search**: Search for text easily in a PDF document. - **Print**: Print the entire document, a specific page, or a range of pages directly from the browser. - **Download**: Download a loaded or edited (form-filled and annotated) PDF file. - **Annotation**: Annotations can be added or edited in the PDF document. Supported annotations are highlight, underline, strikethrough, line, arrow, rectangle, circle, polygon, distance, perimeter, area, radius, volume, free text, handwritten signature, ink, stamp, image, and sticky notes. - **Import and export annotations**: Annotations can be imported and exported as XFDF and JSON format. - **AcroForm fields:** Fill and edit form fields in a PDF document. Supported form fields are text box, combo box, radio button, and check box. - **Import and export AcroForm fields:** Form field data can be imported from and exported as JSON format. Let’s dive into the steps to set up the PDF Viewer component in an Angular app. Add Seamless PDF Viewing to Angular Apps Embed a fast, secure PDF viewer into your Angular apps with Syncfusion Angular PDF Viewer SDK. Display documents accurately, navigate pages, search text, annotate PDFs, fill forms, and handle large files with smooth performance. [Add Angular PDF Viewer](https://www.syncfusion.com/pdf-viewer-sdk/angular-pdf-viewer) ## Prerequisites To set up a basic Angular sample, the following items are required: - [Node.js](https://nodejs.org/en/) - [Angular 4](https://angular.io/) or a higher version - [Visual Studio Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/download) - [Docker](https://www.docker.com/products/container-runtime#/download) - If using Windows, install [Docker for Windows](https://hub.docker.com/editions/community/docker-ce-desktop-windows) . - If using macOS, install [Docker for Mac](https://docs.docker.com/docker-for-mac/install/) . ## Configure the PDF Viewer server-side service The PDF Viewer component uses a server-side back end (web service) to render pages and extract PDF content. We have provided a server-side back end (web service) as a Docker image so you can quickly get started with our PDF Viewer component. **Step 1:** Pull the [pdfviewer-server](https://hub.docker.com/r/syncfusion/pdfviewer-server) image from Docker Hub. | docker pull syncfusion/pdfviewer-server | | --- | **Note:** PDF Viewer is a commercial product, and it requires a valid license to use it in a production environment [(request license or trial key)](https://help.syncfusion.com/common/essential-studio/licensing/licensing-faq/where-can-i-get-a-license-key) . **Step 2:** Create the docker-compose.yml file with the following code in your file system. ``` version: '3.4' services: pdfviewer-server: image: syncfusion/pdfviewer-server:latest environment: #Provide your license key for activation SYNCFUSION_LICENSE_KEY: YOUR_LICENSE_KEY volumes: - C:\Docker\Data:/app/Data ports: - "6001:80" ``` **Note:** To load a default PDF template during the control initialization, you must use the folder path, which contains PDF files in the volumes section of the docker-compose file. **Step 3:** In a terminal tab, navigate to the directory where you’ve placed the docker-compose.yml file and execute the following command. | docker-compose up | | --- | **Step 4:** Run the Docker container along with the license key using this docker run command. | docker run -d -p 6001:80 –e SYNCFUSION_LICENSE_KEY=YOUR_LICENSE_KEY syncfusion/pdfviewer-server:latestFor Ex: docker run -d -p 6001:80 –e SYNCFUSION_LICENSE_KEY=Mzg1ODMzQDMxMzgyZTM0MmUzMGdFRGJvUno1MUx4Tit4S09CeS9xRHZzZU4ySVBjQVFuT0VpdWpHUWJ6aXM9 syncfusion/pdfviewer-server:latest | | --- | Now the PDF Viewer server Docker instance runs in the localhost with the provided port number **http://localhost:6001**. Open this link in a browser and navigate to the PDF Viewer Web API control ** http://localhost:6001/api/pdfviewer**. It returns the default get method response. **Note:** This predefined Docker image ([pdfviewer-server](https://hub.docker.com/r/syncfusion/pdfviewer-server) ) contains Web APIs mandatory for the PDF Viewer control, such as opening, text selection, text search, and saving PDF documents. If you want to add a new functionality or customize an existing functionality, you can build your own Docker image from the existing Docker project from this [PDF Viewer server](https://github.com/SyncfusionExamples/PdfViewer-Server) project. ## Integrate the Syncfusion Angular PDF Viewer control into the Angular project - [Create an Angular project](https://angular.io/tutorial/toh-pt0) . - Install Syncfusion’s EJ2 Angular PDF Viewer NuGet package using the following command. The **—save** command instructs the NPM to add the PDF Viewer package inside the dependencies section of the **package.**** json**. | npm install @syncfusion/ej2-angular-pdfviewer –save | | --- | - Import the PDF Viewer module into an Angular application (app.module.ts) from the **package @syncfusion/ej2-angular-pdfviewer[src/app/app.module.ts]**. Refer to the following code example.``` import { BrowserModule } from '@angular/platform-browser'; import { NgModule } from '@angular/core'; import { AppRoutingModule } from './app-routing.module'; import { AppComponent } from './app.component'; //Imported syncfusion PdfViewer component from PdfViewer package import { PdfViewerModule } from '@syncfusion/ej2-angular-pdfviewer'; @NgModule({ declarations: [ AppComponent ], imports: [ BrowserModule,PdfViewerModule ], providers: [], bootstrap: [AppComponent] }) export class AppModule { } ``` - The following CSS files will be available in the**../node_modules/@syncfusionpackage** folder. Add the references to these files in [src/styles.css] using the following code.``` @import '../node_modules/@syncfusion/ej2-base/styles/material.css'; @import '../node_modules/@syncfusion/ej2-buttons/styles/material.css'; @import '../node_modules/@syncfusion/ej2-dropdowns/styles/material.css'; @import '../node_modules/@syncfusion/ej2-inputs/styles/material.css'; @import '../node_modules/@syncfusion/ej2-navigations/styles/material.css'; @import '../node_modules/@syncfusion/ej2-popups/styles/material.css'; @import '../node_modules/@syncfusion/ej2-splitbuttons/styles/material.css'; @import '../node_modules/@syncfusion/ej2-pdfviewer/styles/material.css'; @import '../node_modules/@syncfusion/ej2-notifications/styles/material.css'; ``` - Modify the template in the [src/app/app.component.ts] file to render the PDF Viewer component. Add the Angular PDF Viewer by using the selector in template section of the app.component.ts file.``` import { Component, OnInit } from '@angular/core'; import { LinkAnnotationService, BookmarkViewService, MagnificationService, ThumbnailViewService, ToolbarService, NavigationService, TextSearchService, TextSelectionService, PrintService } from '@syncfusion/ej2-angular-pdfviewer'; @Component({ selector: 'app-root', template: `
`, //tslint:disable-next-line:max-line-length providers: [LinkAnnotationService, BookmarkViewService, MagnificationService, ThumbnailViewService, ToolbarService, NavigationService, TextSearchService, TextSelectionService, PrintService] }) export class AppComponent { title = 'syncfusion-pdfviewer-angular-app'; // set the service URL to PdfViewerControl public service = 'http://localhost:6001/api/pdfviewer'; //Default document to render in the PdfViewerControl public document: string = “" ; } ``` - Now, execute the application using the following command. | Ng serve –open | | --- | After all the files are compiled successfully, it will display an empty PDF Viewer control ![PDF Viewer Control in Angular Application](https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/PDF-Viewer-Control-in-Angular-Application.png) PDF Viewer Control in Angular Application ## Load or open a default PDF template You can load an existing PDF document while initializing the PDF Viewer control by setting the documentPath of the Angular PDF Viewer component in app.component.html. **Note:** You must have placed the PDF files in the data folder used in the volumes section (i.e., C:\Docker\Data) of the docker-compose.yml file. ``` import { Component, OnInit } from '@angular/core'; import { LinkAnnotationService, BookmarkViewService, MagnificationService, ThumbnailViewService, ToolbarService, NavigationService, TextSearchService, TextSelectionService, PrintService } from '@syncfusion/ej2-angular-pdfviewer'; @Component({ selector: 'app-root', template: `
`, //tslint:disable-next-line:max-line-length providers: [LinkAnnotationService, BookmarkViewService, MagnificationService, ThumbnailViewService, ToolbarService, NavigationService, TextSearchService, TextSelectionService, PrintService] }) export class AppComponent { title = 'syncfusion-pdfviewer-angular-app'; // set the service URL to PdfViewerControl public service = 'http://localhost:6001/api/pdfviewer'; //Default document to render in the PdfViewerControl public document: string = "Angular Succinctly.pdf" ; } ``` ![PDF Document Loaded During Initialization in Angular Application](https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/PDF-Document-Loaded-During-Initialization-in-Angular-Application.png) PDF Document Loaded During Initialization in Angular Application ## Load or open a PDF file from URL You can load a PDF document from a URL in the Angular PDF Viewer component in app.component.html. ``` import { Component, OnInit } from '@angular/core'; import { LinkAnnotationService, BookmarkViewService, MagnificationService, ThumbnailViewService, ToolbarService, NavigationService, TextSearchService, TextSelectionService, PrintService } from '@syncfusion/ej2-angular-pdfviewer'; @Component({ selector: 'app-root', template: `
`, //tslint:disable-next-line:max-line-length providers: [LinkAnnotationService, BookmarkViewService, MagnificationService, ThumbnailViewService, ToolbarService, NavigationService, TextSearchService, TextSelectionService, PrintService] }) export class AppComponent { title = 'syncfusion-pdfviewer-angular-app'; // set the service URL to PdfViewerControl public service = 'http://localhost:6001/api/pdfviewer'; //Default document to render in the PdfViewerControl public document: string = "https://www.syncfusion.com/downloads/support/directtrac/general/pd/JavaScript_Succinctly-1664489739"; } ``` ![PDF Document Loaded from a URL in Angular Application](https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/PDF-Document-Loaded-from-a-URL-in-Angular-Application.png) PDF Document Loaded from a URL in Angular Application ## Resources For more information, please refer to the [load and view PDF documents in Angular applications project](https://github.com/SyncfusionExamples/ej2-angular-pdfviewer) . [https://www.syncfusion.com/downloads/angular](https://www.syncfusion.com/downloads/angular) ## Conclusion Thank you for reading this blog! I hope you now have a clear idea about setting up the PDF Viewer server-side API using predefined Docker images and integrating the PDF Viewer component in an Angular application. We have also seen how to load a PDF document during application initialization and from an URL in detail. Our PDF Viewer control is also available in the platforms [Blazor](https://www.syncfusion.com/blazor-components/blazor-pdf-viewer) , [Flutter](https://www.syncfusion.com/flutter-widgets/flutter-pdf-viewer) , [ASP.NET Core](https://www.syncfusion.com/aspnet-core-ui-controls/pdf-viewer) , [ASP.NET MVC](https://www.syncfusion.com/aspnet-mvc-ui-controls/pdf-viewer) , [ASP.NET Web Forms](https://www.syncfusion.com/jquery/aspnet-web-forms-ui-controls/pdf-viewer) , [JavaScript](https://www.syncfusion.com/javascript-ui-controls/js-pdf-viewer) , [React](https://www.syncfusion.com/react-ui-components/react-pdf-viewer) , [Vue](https://www.syncfusion.com/vue-ui-components/vue-pdf-viewer) , [Xamarin.Forms](https://www.syncfusion.com/xamarin-ui-controls/xamarin-pdf-viewer) , [UWP](https://www.syncfusion.com/uwp-ui-controls/pdf-viewer) , [WinForms](https://www.syncfusion.com/winforms-ui-controls/pdf-viewer) , [WPF](https://www.syncfusion.com/wpf-controls/pdf-viewer) . For existing customers, the new version of Essential Studio® is available for download from the [License and Downloads](https://www.syncfusion.com/account/downloads) page. If you are not yet a Syncfusion customer, you can try our 30-day [free trial](https://www.syncfusion.com/downloads) to check out our available features. You can also contact us through our [support forum](https://www.syncfusion.com/forums) , [support portal](https://support.syncfusion.com/) , or [feedback portal](https://www.syncfusion.com/feedback/angular) . We are here to help you succeed! ## Related blogs - [Top 5 Best Practices for Angular App Security](https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/post/top-5-best-practices-angular-app-security.aspx) - [Customize the UI of the Angular Query Builder](https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/post/customize-ui-angular-query-builder.aspx) - [Integrate Third-Party Libraries into Angular Rich Text Editor](https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/post/how-to-integrate-third-party-libraries-into-angular-rich-text-editor.aspx) - [Load a Million+ Records in Less Than a Second in Syncfusion Angular Data Grid](https://www.syncfusion.com/blogs/post/how-to-load-a-million-records-in-less-than-a-second-in-syncfusion-angular-data-grid.aspx)