Converting a document from XLSX to PDF format

In today’s data-driven environment, spreadsheets are indispensable tools for organizing, analyzing, and presenting information. However, Microsoft Excel files (XLSX) aren’t always ideal for sharing or preserving content in a consistent and professional format. That’s where XLSX-to-PDF conversion becomes essential.

PDFs maintain the exact layout, formatting, and styling of the original spreadsheet, regardless of the device, software, or operating system used to view it. This eliminates discrepancies that can arise when recipients open XLSX files with different versions of Excel or alternative spreadsheet software.

For organizations that must retain records for auditing or legal purposes, PDFs offer a stable, long-term storage format that complies with archiving standards like PDF/A. Converting spreadsheets to PDF ensures critical data is preserved in a tamper-proof form.

Streamlining workflows with our Java SDK

What makes this feature even more valuable is how it can be implemented using our SDK. With just a few lines of code, developers can integrate XLSX-to-PDF conversion directly into their applications, eliminating the need for external tools or complex setups. Whether you’re building a document processing pipeline or adding export functionality to a web app, our SDK delivers a reliable and efficient solution right out of the box.

Preparing the project

Start by specifying a package name and create a new class named after what you’re going to do, as shown below:

package io.nutrient.Sample;

The next step is to import Nutrient Java SDK. It’s recommended to specify the actual classes used, but using a wildcard for including everything is also possible:

import io.nutrient.sdk.*;
import io.nutrient.sdk.exceptions.NutrientException;
import io.nutrient.sdk.exporters.PdfExporter;

public class ExcelDocumentToPDF {

Next, create the main function and specify that it can throw a NutrientException. This exception could also be caught in the program logic for custom error management, but this is left as an exercise for the reader:

    public static void main(String[] args) throws NutrientException {

Once the inherent setup from a Java application is done, focus on what’s specific to our SDK.

The first step is to initialize the SDK by registering the license. This needs to be done only once during the application’s lifetime and must occur before executing any additional logic:

        License.registerKey("");

Proceeding with the conversion

With the SDK successfully initialized, you can begin working with the classes it offers. This guide concentrates on the Document class. You can initialize Document using a try-with-resources statement(opens in a new tab), which ensures proper lifecycle management of the document instance.

The SDK supports multiple integration methods, enabling flexibility in how you connect with your application. The source file can be specified either via a file path or a stream. This guide uses a file path as the source:

        try (Document document = Document.open("input.xlsx")) {

Once the file is loaded into memory, you can perform various operations on it. For a complete list of available functionalities, refer to the API reference.

The goal is to export this document to PDF. Just like when opening the XLSX file, where you could choose between using a file path or a stream, the saving functionality offers the same flexibility. In this case, save the PDF as output.pdf in the application’s working directory:

            document.export("output.pdf", new PdfExporter());
        }
    }
}

That’s it! You now have a PDF file.

Error handling

Nutrient Java SDK handles errors with exception handling. Both methods presented in this guide throw a NutrientException in case of failure. This helps with troubleshooting and implementing error handling logic.

Conclusion

That’s all it takes to convert an XLSX document into a PDF file! You can download this ready-to-use sample package, fully configured to help you dive into the Java SDK right away.