What’s New in 2023 Volume 4: File Format Libraries

Syncfusion’s File-Format libraries enable the creation, reading, writing, and conversion of PDF, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files without Microsoft Office or Adobe Reader.

This blog briefly describes the latest updates rolled out for these comprehensive file-format libraries in the 2023 Volume 4 release.

Let’s get started!

.NET PDF Library

The Syncfusion PDF Library supports the following enhancements in this 2023 Volume 4 release.

PDF split enhancements

You can split PDF documents without sacrificing the integrity of accessibility tags. Accessibility is crucial for users relying on screen readers and other assistive technologies.

PDF file size optimization

We’ve improved the document operations to reduce file sizes. By removing unused elements and identifying identical resources, you can experience heightened efficiency in both PDF merging and splitting.

Enhanced digital signature validation

Now, you can effortlessly access certificates from the Document Security Store (DSS) and retrieve CRL lists for enhanced validation during signature verification. Elevate your document security with these streamlined features.

HTML-to-PDF improvements

In HTML-to-PDF conversion, you can experience better error handling with proper exceptions on failure. Also, the BlinkBinaries have been updated to the latest version, 117.0.5938.150, addressing vulnerabilities and ensuring a more secure conversion process.

.NET Word Library

The Word Library delivers the following features.

Create equations using LaTeX

You can now create mathematical equations by specifying a LaTeX string in a Word document. With this feature, you can easily add an equation created using a LaTeX editor in a document.

Fallback font for Unicode text

The .NET Word Library now allows the configuration of fallback fonts for Unicode text while converting  Word files to PDF or image files. These fallback fonts come into play when the rendering engine encounters Unicode text that lacks a corresponding glyph in the specified fonts.

Users can configure fallback fonts in the following ways:

• Initialize default fallback fonts for Unicode text.
• Set custom fonts as fallback fonts for specific script types, including Arabic, Hebrew, and Chinese.
• Set custom fonts as fallback fonts for a particular range of Unicode text.

TIFF image preservation

You can now preserve TIFF images in converted PDFs or images exactly as they appear in the input Word document.

.NET Excel Library

The Syncfusion Excel Library now supports the following features.

Grouping in pivot table

The Excel Library (XlsIO) now supports grouping date and time fields in pivot tables. Users can group pivot data based on the following categories:

• Date
• Month
• Year
• Quarter
• Hour
• Minute
• Second

New Excel functions

The Excel Library now supports creating and parsing the following new Excel functions:

• LAMBDA: Allows custom formula parameters and logic.
• SORT: Positions the cell range values in ascending or descending order.
• BYROW: Applies a LAMBDA to each row and returns an array of the results.
• BYCOL: Applies a LAMBDA to each column and returns an array of the results.
• TOROW: Transforms an array into a single row.
• TOCOL: Transforms an array into a single column.
• CHOOSEROWS: Returns specified rows from an array.
• CHOOSECOLS: Returns specified columns from an array.
• TEXTSPLIT: Splits the cell text across rows or columns.
• TEXTBEFORE: Returns the text before a given character.

Font fallback for Unicode text

You can configure the fallback fonts for Unicode text while converting Excel files to PDF or image files. These fallback fonts are used when the rendering engine encounters Unicode text that lacks a corresponding glyph in the specified fonts.

Users can configure fallback fonts in the following ways:

• Initialize default fallback fonts for Unicode text.
• Set custom fonts as fallback fonts for specific script types, including Arabic, Hebrew, and Chinese.
• Set custom fonts as fallback fonts for a particular range of Unicode text.

TIFF image preservation

The Excel Library now preserves TIFF images in converted PDFs or images exactly as they appear in the input Excel document.

Java Word Library

Compare Word documents

The Syncfusion Java Word Library (DocIO) allows you to compare two Word documents and highlight the changes, such as insertions, deletions, and formatting, as tracked changes. With this feature, you can easily identify the changes between two versions of a document.

.NET PowerPoint

TIFF image preservation

The .NET PowerPoint Library now preserves TIFF images in converted PDFs or images exactly as they appear in the input presentation.

For example, you can convert medical reports with TIFF images of X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans from a presentation to a PDF or an image.

Note: With the upcoming 2024 Volume 1 release, we will discontinue support for .NET Framework 4.5, 4.5.1, and 4.6 in our File-Format libraries. Instead, we will provide support for .NET 4.6.2.

Conclusion

Thanks for reading! We’ve delved into the latest enhancements for Syncfusion’s File-Format libraries included in the 2023 Volume 4 release. For a comprehensive overview of all the updates in this release, we encourage you to visit our Release Notes and What’s New pages.

Your feedback is invaluable to us, so don’t hesitate to share your thoughts in the comments section below!

For current Syncfusion users, you can access the most recent version of Essential Studio® on the License and Downloads page. If you’re new to Syncfusion, we offer a 30-day free trial to test out these exciting new features.

If you have questions, you can contact us via our support forum, support portal, or feedback portal. We’re always here to assist you!

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