In my example the scenario is to generate an invite pass for attendees attending a conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The generated PDF<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
The generated PDF will look like the following.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.binarybits.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Generate-PDF-from-SharePoint-Online-list-item-using-Power-Automate.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nThe data source<\/h1>\n\n\n\nSharePoint List<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Here we are using SharePoint Online and the data source is a simple SharePoint list which contains the following.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nOneDrive for Business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The OneDrive for Business has two artificats<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- A Logo image is used for both methods.<\/li>
- A Microsoft Word Document (This will be used for the second method and not for the first method)<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.binarybits.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Generate-PDF-from-SharePoint-Online-list-item-using-Power-Automate-10-1024x240.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nPlease note that for both methods, the Power Automate is triggered whenever the SharePoint list item is created or modified.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
In the below article when the product “OneDrive” is mentioned, it’s actually “OneDrive for Business”.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Method 1: Using OneDrive for Business’s “Convert HTML file to PDF”<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
The trigger is when a SharePoint List item is created or modified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.binarybits.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Generate-PDF-from-SharePoint-Online-list-item-using-Power-Automate-23.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nThe next action would be to fetch the image of the logo located in the OneDrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.binarybits.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Generate-PDF-from-SharePoint-Online-list-item-using-Power-Automate-34.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nNow we have to convert the logo into a Uri format using the expression editor and initialize a variable with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.binarybits.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Generate-PDF-from-SharePoint-Online-list-item-using-Power-Automate-41.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\ndataUri(outputs('Get_logo_file_content')?['body'])<\/pre><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.binarybits.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Generate-PDF-from-SharePoint-Online-list-item-using-Power-Automate-40.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nCreating the HTML Content<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Next is the important action where the actual HTML content will be created.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
HTML Content Method 1: Using Simple HTML script like below.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<html>\n <body>\n <p>\n <img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="" alt="">\n <img>\n <\/p>\n <p style="text-align: center;">\n <h1>\n <\/h1>\n <\/p>\n <p style="text-align: center;">\n <h2>\n <\/h2>\n <\/p>\n <\/body>\n<\/html><\/pre><\/div>\n\n\n\n
For the seasoned HTML developer who is well versed with HTML & CSS, he\/she\/they can create the HTML content or the other easiest method is to use the Microsoft Word desktop software to create the HTML.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you use a simple method, do make sure the CSS is perfect. For the most part I tried, the conversion from HTML to PDF kept ignore the CSS, hence the second method.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
HTML Content Method 2: Using Microsoft Word<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- Open the Microsoft Word.<\/li>
- Design the contents.<\/li>
- Save the file as “Web Page, Filtered”.<\/li>
- Open that file using an HTML Editor or Notepad and copy the contents.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.binarybits.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Generate-PDF-from-SharePoint-Online-list-item-using-Power-Automate-44-1024x970.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.binarybits.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Generate-PDF-from-SharePoint-Online-list-item-using-Power-Automate-43.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<html>\n\n<head>\n\t<meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text\/html; charset=windows-1252">\n\t<meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered)">\n\t<style>\n\t\t<!--\n\t\t\/* Font Definitions *\/\n\t\t@font-face {\n\t\t\tfont-family: "Cambria Math";\n\t\t\tpanose-1: 2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;\n\t\t}\n\n\t\t@font-face {\n\t\t\tfont-family: Calibri;\n\t\t\tpanose-1: 2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;\n\t\t}\n\n\t\t@font-face {\n\t\t\tfont-family: "Calibri Light";\n\t\t\tpanose-1: 2 15 3 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;\n\t\t}\n\n\t\t\/* Style Definitions *\/\n\t\tp.MsoNormal,\n\t\tli.MsoNormal,\n\t\tdiv.MsoNormal {\n\t\t\tmargin-top: 0cm;\n\t\t\tmargin-right: 0cm;\n\t\t\tmargin-bottom: 8.0pt;\n\t\t\tmargin-left: 0cm;\n\t\t\tline-height: 107%;\n\t\t\tfont-size: 11.0pt;\n\t\t\tfont-family: "Calibri", sans-serif;\n\t\t}\n\n\t\th1 {\n\t\t\tmso-style-link: "Heading 1 Char";\n\t\t\tmargin-top: 12.0pt;\n\t\t\tmargin-right: 0cm;\n\t\t\tmargin-bottom: 0cm;\n\t\t\tmargin-left: 0cm;\n\t\t\tline-height: 107%;\n\t\t\tpage-break-after: avoid;\n\t\t\tfont-size: 16.0pt;\n\t\t\tfont-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif;\n\t\t\tcolor: #2F5496;\n\t\t\tfont-weight: normal;\n\t\t}\n\n\t\tspan.Heading1Char {\n\t\t\tmso-style-name: "Heading 1 Char";\n\t\t\tmso-style-link: "Heading 1";\n\t\t\tfont-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif;\n\t\t\tcolor: #2F5496;\n\t\t}\n\n\t\t.MsoChpDefault {\n\t\t\tfont-family: "Calibri", sans-serif;\n\t\t}\n\n\t\t.MsoPapDefault {\n\t\t\tmargin-bottom: 8.0pt;\n\t\t\tline-height: 107%;\n\t\t}\n\n\t\t@page WordSection1 {\n\t\t\tsize: 595.3pt 841.9pt;\n\t\t\tmargin: 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt;\n\t\t}\n\n\t\tdiv.WordSection1 {\n\t\t\tpage: WordSection1;\n\t\t}\n\t\t-->\n\t<\/style>\n\n<\/head>\n\n<body lang=EN-IN style='word-wrap:break-word'>\n\n\t<div class=WordSection1>\n\n\t\t<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><img width=200 height=200 id="Picture 1"\n\t\t\t\tsrc="Word-HTML_files\/image001.png" alt="Icon Description automatically generated"><\/p>\n\n\t\t<h1 align=center style='text-align:center'>Kannan Balasubramanian<\/h1>\n\n\t\t<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'>2<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/body>\n\n<\/html><\/pre><\/div>\n\n\n\nCreate an action to initialise a variable and paste the contents. Replace the image source with “LogoUri” variable, Title & ID from the trigger “When an item is created or modified”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.binarybits.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Generate-PDF-from-SharePoint-Online-list-item-using-Power-Automate-3-244x1024.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nvariables('LogoUri')<\/pre><\/div>\n\n\n\ntriggerOutputs()?['body\/Title']<\/pre><\/div>\n\n\n\n
triggerOutputs()?['body\/ID']<\/pre><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Now the HTML contents should be saved to a HTML file. We are going to use OneDrive’s “Create file” action and will use the same “Dev” folder to create the file and use the ID as file name to uniquely generate a file for each item and the file content as the “HTMLContent” variable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.binarybits.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Generate-PDF-from-SharePoint-Online-list-item-using-Power-Automate-4.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\ntriggerOutputs()?['body\/ID']<\/pre><\/div>\n\n\n\n
variables('HTMLContent')<\/pre><\/div>\n\n\n\nThe created HTML file now can be converted to a PDF file and we will use OneDrive’s “Convert file using path” action. The “File Path” will rely on the “Create HTML file” action’s “Path” property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Converting HTML Content to PDF<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
This action is in preview as of February 2021.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.binarybits.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Generate-PDF-from-SharePoint-Online-list-item-using-Power-Automate-5.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\noutputs('Create_HTML_file')?['body\/Path']<\/pre><\/div>\n\n\n\nOnce converted the PDF content will be saved as a file using OneDrive’s “Create file” action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.binarybits.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Generate-PDF-from-SharePoint-Online-list-item-using-Power-Automate-6.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\ntriggerOutputs()?['body\/ID']<\/pre><\/div>\n\n\n\n
outputs('Convert_HTML_file_to_PDF_using_path')?['body']<\/pre><\/div>\n\n\n\nDeleting the HTML File<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If required we will use OneDrive’s “Delete file” action to delete the HTML file which was generated previously to avoid wasting the space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.binarybits.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Generate-PDF-from-SharePoint-Online-list-item-using-Power-Automate-7.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\noutputs('Create_HTML_file')?['body\/Path']<\/pre><\/div>\n\n\n\nTesting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Now save the Power Automate and test it once to check if it’s working fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.binarybits.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Generate-PDF-from-SharePoint-Online-list-item-using-Power-Automate-9.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nCreate a new item in SharePoint and save it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.binarybits.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Generate-PDF-from-SharePoint-Online-list-item-using-Power-Automate-11-1024x401.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nGo to OneDrive and check if the file is generated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.binarybits.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Generate-PDF-from-SharePoint-Online-list-item-using-Power-Automate-12-1024x262.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nOpen the file to check if it has been created.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.binarybits.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Generate-PDF-from-SharePoint-Online-list-item-using-Power-Automate-15-1024x532.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nMethod 2: Using Word Online\u2019s \u201cConvert Word Document to PDF\u201d<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
The trigger is when a SharePoint List item is created or modified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe next action would be to fetch the image of the logo located in the OneDrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nNow we have to convert the logo into a Uri format using the expression editor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\ndataUri(outputs('Get_logo_file_content')?['body'])<\/pre><\/div>\n\n\n\nCreating Word template<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Open a word and if the developer tab is not available, configure the word to make it visible as shown below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Click on the tab “File.<\/li>
- Click on the menu “Options”<\/li>
- Click on the tab “Customize Ribbon”<\/li>
- Check the item “Developer” if not already checked.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.binarybits.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Generate-PDF-from-SharePoint-Online-list-item-using-Power-Automate-16.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.binarybits.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Generate-PDF-from-SharePoint-Online-list-item-using-Power-Automate-17-1024x970.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.binarybits.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Generate-PDF-from-SharePoint-Online-list-item-using-Power-Automate-20-1024x835.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.binarybits.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Generate-PDF-from-SharePoint-Online-list-item-using-Power-Automate-21-1024x835.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nNow you should have a developer tab in the ribbon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.binarybits.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Generate-PDF-from-SharePoint-Online-list-item-using-Power-Automate-22-1024x134.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nNow use the “Picture Control Content” to add a place holder for the logo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.binarybits.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Generate-PDF-from-SharePoint-Online-list-item-using-Power-Automate-25.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nOnce added, click on the placed “Picture Control Content” and then click on “Properties” in the ribbon to set the “Title” as “Logo” & “Tag” as “Logo”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.binarybits.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Generate-PDF-from-SharePoint-Online-list-item-using-Power-Automate-26.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.binarybits.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Generate-PDF-from-SharePoint-Online-list-item-using-Power-Automate-28.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nRepeat the same for Title & ID using the “Rich Text Content Control”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.binarybits.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Generate-PDF-from-SharePoint-Online-list-item-using-Power-Automate-29.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nOnce added, click on the properties to set a “Title” as “Title” & “Tag” as “Title” for the title place holder and “Title” as “Id” & “Tag” as “Id” for ID place holder and use formats like alignment and text styles in the “Home tab”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.binarybits.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Generate-PDF-from-SharePoint-Online-list-item-using-Power-Automate-31-1024x132.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nThe word document should look like below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.binarybits.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Generate-PDF-from-SharePoint-Online-list-item-using-Power-Automate-30-1024x970.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nNow save the file as a normal Word document with .docx extension. Upload the word document into OneDrive as “Invite-Template.docx”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nNow lets go back to the Power Automate and add an action “Populate a Microsoft Word template” of “Word Online”. Choose the location of “File” where the template file was uploaded. For Logo use the “File Content” from the “Get logo file content” (Note: We are not using the “LogoUri” variable here). For “Title” & “Id”, use the “Title” & “ID” from the trigger “When an item is created or modified”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is a premium action so a premium license is required and is in preview as of February 2021.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.binarybits.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Generate-PDF-from-SharePoint-Online-list-item-using-Power-Automate-33.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\noutputs('Get_logo_file_content')?['body']<\/pre><\/div>\n\n\n\ntriggerOutputs()?['body\/Title']<\/pre><\/div>\n\n\n\n
triggerOutputs()?['body\/ID']<\/pre><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Now add OneDrive’s “Create File” action. Choose the “Folder Path” from OneDrive, where the filled Word document should be saved, along with the “File Name” being ID of the SharePoint item and “File Content” from the action “Populate a Microosft Word template”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.binarybits.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Generate-PDF-from-SharePoint-Online-list-item-using-Power-Automate-35.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\ntriggerOutputs()?['body\/ID']<\/pre><\/div>\n\n\n\n
outputs('Populate_a_Microsoft_Word_template')?['body']<\/pre><\/div>\n\n\n\nConverting Word Content to PDF<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Now lets convert the Word document into PDF by creating the action “Convert Word Document to PDF” of “Word Online” pointing the “File” to the path returned by “Create Word file via Word template”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is a premium action so a premium license is required and is in preview as of February 2021.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.binarybits.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Generate-PDF-from-SharePoint-Online-list-item-using-Power-Automate-36.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\noutputs('Create_Word_file_via_Word_template')?['body\/Path']<\/pre><\/div>\n\n\n\nNow let’s use OneDrive’s “Create file” action to create the PDF file in OneDrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.binarybits.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Generate-PDF-from-SharePoint-Online-list-item-using-Power-Automate-39.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\ntriggerOutputs()?['body\/ID']<\/pre><\/div>\n\n\n\n
outputs('Convert_Word_Document_to_PDF')?['body']<\/pre><\/div>\n\n\n\nDeleting the Word File<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If required we will use OneDrive’s “Delete file” action to delete the Word file which was generated previously to avoid wasting the space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.binarybits.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Generate-PDF-from-SharePoint-Online-list-item-using-Power-Automate-38.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\noutputs('Create_Word_file_via_Word_template')?['body\/Path']<\/pre><\/div>\n\n\n\nTesting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Now save the Power Automate and test it once to check if it’s working fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n