Aspose.HTML for Python via .NET is a powerful SDK that enables developers to convert HTML content, including complex tables, into high‑quality PDF documents on a local or server environment. When you need to convert HTML tables to PDF with Aspose.HTML, the SDK preserves column widths, borders, cell colors, and even custom CSS styling, which is essential for generating accurate reports and invoices. This guide walks you through the entire process, from installation to advanced options such as custom page size, footers, and page numbers.

Accurate table rendering is a common challenge when exporting HTML pages to PDF. By using the Aspose.HTML SDK you can maintain the exact look of your HTML tables, apply custom CSS styles, and control pagination. Whether you are exporting an invoice, a financial report, or any tabular data, the SDK gives you full control over the PDF output while keeping the workflow simple and programmatic.

Prerequisites and Setup

To start using Aspose.HTML for Python via .NET you need:

  • A Windows or Linux machine with Python 3.7+ installed.
  • The Aspose.HTML SDK for Python via .NET. Download the latest version from the release page.
  • A valid license for production use (optional for evaluation). You can request a temporary license from the licensing page.

Install the SDK using pip:

pip install aspose-html-net

After installation, you can import the SDK in your Python script:

import aspose.html as ah

For detailed setup instructions and API references, see the official documentation and the API reference.

Steps to Convert HTML Tables to PDF

  1. Load the HTML document: Use the HtmlDocument class to read the source HTML file that contains the tables.

    document = ah.HtmlDocument()
document.load("invoice.html")

  2. Create PDF save options: Configure PdfSaveOptions to set custom page size, enable footers, and turn on page numbering.

    options = ah.PdfSaveOptions()
# Custom page size (A4)
options.page_setup.paper_size = ah.PaperSize.A4
# Enable page numbers
options.page_setup.page_numbering_enabled = True
# Add a footer text
options.page_setup.footer = "Confidential - Company XYZ"

  3. Apply custom CSS: If you need to style tables differently for PDF, you can inject CSS into the document before saving.

    css = """
table { border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; }
th, td { border: 1px solid #000; padding: 5px; }
"""
document.styles.add(css)

  4. Convert and save: Call the save method with the configured options. This step performs the actual conversion.

    document.save("invoice.pdf", options)

  5. Validate the output: Open the generated PDF and verify that table layouts, column widths, borders, and footers appear as expected. This ensures the conversion meets your reporting standards.

For more details on the PdfSaveOptions class, refer to the API reference.

Loading HTML with complex tables into Aspose.HTML

When dealing with tables that contain merged cells, nested tables, or extensive styling, the SDK parses the HTML DOM exactly as browsers do. This means that the original structure is retained, and you can rely on the same CSS rules used in the web view.

Configuring table‑specific conversion options

Aspose.HTML allows you to fine‑tune how tables are rendered in the PDF. You can set the TableLayout property to control whether tables are split across pages or forced onto a single page. Additionally, the PageSetup object lets you define margins that affect table positioning.

Maintaining column widths, borders, and cell styles

The SDK respects inline styles, external stylesheets, and even CSS classes applied to <th> and <td> elements. By using the convert HTML to PDF with custom CSS styles using Aspose.HTML approach, you can guarantee that column widths, border colors, and background shades match the original HTML.

Handling pagination and table splitting across pages

Large tables often span multiple pages. With the Aspose.HTML export HTML to PDF with custom page size feature, you can specify a larger paper size or enable the AllowTableSplit option to let the SDK break tables gracefully, preserving headers on each new page.

Validating the PDF output against the original HTML

After conversion, you can programmatically compare the PDF page count, text extraction, and visual snapshots against the source HTML. This step is useful for automated testing pipelines that need to ensure the export HTML to PDF with Aspose.HTML and Include page NUMBERS requirement is satisfied.

Convert HTML Tables to PDF - Complete Code Example

This example demonstrates how to load an HTML invoice containing multiple tables, apply custom page size, inject CSS, add a footer, enable page numbers, and finally save the result as a PDF.

Note: This code example demonstrates the core functionality. Before using it in your project, make sure to update the file paths (invoice.html, invoice.pdf, etc.) to match your actual file locations, verify that all required dependencies are properly installed, and test thoroughly in your development environment. If you encounter any issues, please refer to the documentation or reach out to the support team for assistance.

Conclusion

Converting HTML tables to PDF with Aspose.HTML in Python via .NET gives developers full control over layout, styling, and pagination, making it ideal for generating accurate reports and invoices. By following the steps outlined above, you can preserve column widths, borders, and custom CSS, while also adding footers and page numbers to meet professional document standards. The SDK’s flexibility lets you export HTML page to PDF with Aspose.HTML library, export HTML to PDF with custom page size, and even include page numbers without compromising table fidelity.

For production use, you can purchase a license by visiting the pricing page. Alternatively, you can request a temporary license for evaluation purposes. Explore more tutorials in the blog or join the community on the forums for additional support.

FAQs

Q: How can I export an HTML page to PDF with Aspose.HTML library while keeping my custom CSS?
A: Load the HTML with HtmlDocument, add your stylesheet using document.styles.add(), and then save with PdfSaveOptions. The SDK respects all CSS rules, ensuring the PDF matches the original design. See the API reference for more details.

Q: What is the best way to set a custom page size when exporting HTML to PDF?
A: Use the PdfSaveOptions.page_setup.paper_size property. For example, set it to ah.PaperSize.A4 or define a custom SizeF object. This is part of the Aspose.HTML export HTML to PDF with custom page size feature.

Q: How do I add a custom footer and page numbers to the PDF?
A: Enable options.page_setup.footer with your text and set options.page_setup.page_numbering_enabled = True. This utilizes the Aspose.HTML convert HTML to PDF with custom footer text capability.

Q: Where can I find more examples of converting HTML tables to PDF?
A: The official documentation provides step‑by‑step guides, and the blog contains many real‑world scenarios.

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