PDF Node¶

The PDF node in Visual Flow Creator is a specialized component designed for the dynamic generation of Portable Document Format (PDF) files within an automated workflow. This node facilitates the creation of customized documents by merging structured data with predefined templates, leveraging the pdfmake library for PDF generation and html-to-pdfmake for HTML content conversion.

The primary purpose of the PDF node is to enable the automated production of various documents that require a standardized layout combined with variable content. This capability is for:

• Automated Reporting: Generating operational, financial or analytical reports with real-time data.
• Document Generation: Creating invoices, receipts, certificates, contracts or confirmation documents.
• Customized Output: Producing personalized documents based on specific user inputs or system events.

Using PDF node¶

To create a PDF document, follow these steps:

1. From the node palette, drag and drop the "inject" node from the input palette, the "PDF" node from the pdf palette and the "write file" node from the Industrial IoT palette to the working area. Connect the nodes in a flow as shown below.

   

2. Double click on the "inject" node to edit the properties. For more information, refer to Editing nodes.

3. Double click on the "PDF" node to edit the properties.

   • Enter the "Name".
   • Select the output type from the dropdown.
   • Click "Done".

4. Save and execute the flow.
   You can see the output in Insights Hub Monitor application.