How to set the created PDF file to read only in C# and VB.NET?
The Syncfusion Essential PDF is a feature-rich and high-performance .NET PDF library used to create, read, and edit PDF documents programmatically without Adobe dependencies. This library also offers functionality to merge, split, stamp, forms, compress, and secure PDF files.
Using this library, you can secure a PDF document by providing the Security details to it in C# and VB.NET. This sample uses the following PDF document and explains how to make it read only.
Steps to secure an existing PDF document programmatically in C#:
- Create a C# console application project.
- Install the Syncfusion.Pdf.WinForms NuGet package as a reference to your .NET Framework application from NuGet.org.
- Syncfusion Essential PDF supports different security options like encryption Algorithm, KeySize, OwnerPassword, Permissions, and UserPassword.
C#
//Set the documents permission settings PdfSecurity security = loadedDocument.Security; security.Algorithm = PdfEncryptionAlgorithm.AES; security.KeySize = PdfEncryptionKeySize.Key128Bit; security.OwnerPassword = "Syncfusion"; security.Permissions = PdfPermissionsFlags.EditAnnotations | PdfPermissionsFlags.Print; security.UserPassword = "123";
VB.NET
'Set the documents permission settings Dim security As PdfSecurity = loadedDocument.Security security.Algorithm = PdfEncryptionAlgorithm.AES security.KeySize = PdfEncryptionKeySize.Key128Bit security.OwnerPassword = "Syncfusion" security.Permissions = PdfPermissionsFlags.EditAnnotations Or PdfPermissionsFlags.Print security.UserPassword = "123"
- Include the following namespaces in Program.cs file.
C#
using Syncfusion.Pdf.Parsing; using Syncfusion.Pdf.Security;
VB.NET
Imports Syncfusion.Pdf.Parsing Imports Syncfusion.Pdf.Security
- Include the following complete code snippet in main method of Program.cs file to secure an existing PDF document.
C#
//Load an existing PDF document
PdfLoadedDocument loadedDocument = new PdfLoadedDocument("PdfTemplate.pdf");
//Provide security details to PDF
PdfSecurity security = loadedDocument.Security;
security.OwnerPassword = "Syncfusion";
security.Permissions = PdfPermissionsFlags.Default;
//Save the PDF document
loadedDocument.Save("ReadOnly.pdf");
//Close the instance of PdfLoadedDocument
loadedDocument.Close();
VB.NET
'Load an existing PDF document
Dim loadedDocument As PdfLoadedDocument = New PdfLoadedDocument("PdfTemplate.pdf")
'Provide security details to PDF
Dim security As PdfSecurity = loadedDocument.Security
security.OwnerPassword = "Syncfusion"
security.Permissions = PdfPermissionsFlags.Default
'Save the PDF document
loadedDocument.Save("ReadOnlyPDF.pdf")
'Close the instance of PdfLoadedDocument
loadedDocument.Close()
A complete work sample to set the created PDF document to read only can be downloaded from ReadOnlyPDF.zip.
By executing the program, you will get the secured PDF document as follows.
You can also secure a new PDF document by providing the same security options.
C#
//Create a new PDF document PdfDocument document = new PdfDocument(); //Set the documents permission settings PdfSecurity security = document.Security; security.Algorithm = PdfEncryptionAlgorithm.AES; security.OwnerPassword = "Syncfusion";
VB.NET
'Create a New PDF document Dim document As PdfDocument = New PdfDocument 'Set the documents permission settings Dim security As PdfSecurity = document.Security security.Algorithm = PdfEncryptionAlgorithm.AES security.OwnerPassword = "Syncfusion"
Take a moment to peruse the documentation, where you will find other options like working with RC4 and AES encryptions, changing the password, changing the permission, remove user password, and more.
Click here to explore the rich set of Syncfusion Essential PDF features.
An online sample link to encrypt a PDF document.
Starting with v16.2.0.x, if you reference Syncfusion assemblies from trial setup or from the NuGet feed, include a license key in your projects. Refer to link to learn about generating and registering Syncfusion license key in your application to use the components without trail message.
