Create pdf and store it as attachment

[Puneet_Sachdeva]

I would like to generate a PDF out of a record (to easily visualize the data) and attach the record as an attachment. I would like to do this for all the records in my base.

Any ideas on how to do this using either a script or Zapier/Integromat, possible using Formstack (does not have to use formstack though)? Would love any insight - I am capable of coding in JavaScript and can leverage that if necessary.

[Carly_Taylor]

Hi there!

Happy to help you with this. Our Page Designer block would be perfect for this use case. You can display a record on a page in any template you create. You can include different fields on the page and each page displays one record. When you’re done, you can print out your records or turn them into PDFs to then attach to your record in an attachment field.

You can watch a video explaining this block in more detail here: https://support.airtable.com/hc/en-us/articles/115013405168-Page-designer-block-overview

Hope this helps!

[Justin_Barrett]

I do something like this for my business invoices. I build an HTML version of the invoice (pieces made in various linked tables, all rolled up into the main invoice and assembled via some helper formulas), and click a field button to trigger a script that calls an Integromat webhook, passing the record ID. The Integromat scenario pulls the HTML from the Airtable record, sends it to CloudConvert to convert it to a PDF file, then saves the PDF into an attachment field in Airtable.

[ScottWorld]

If you'd like to automate the process of creating a PDF document from Airtable, here are some of your best options:

1. One of the most popular PDF creation tools for Airtable is DocuMint's document automations for Airtable. DocuMint has an Airtable extension and also offers full Make support.

2. Another popular tool is Docs Automator, which integrates with Google Docs.

3. Plumsail Documents another app that has an Airtable extension and also offers full Make support.

4. Formstack Documents also has an Airtable extension and also offers full Make support.

5. However, you can choose ANY document creation app that you would like, and automate the PDF creation process by using Make’s automations & integrations. You can even use good old fashioned Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel.

If you’ve never used Make before, I’ve assembled a bunch of Make training resources in this thread.

Hope this helps! If you’d like to hire an expert Airtable consultant to help you with anything Airtable-related, please feel free to contact me through my website: Airtable consultant — ScottWorld

[loic_DR]

Hello i just want a detail about the Puneet question. Page designer can make a pdf right but it cant do it automaticaly right? i find the way to export the pdt with the printer function but is it impossible do export pdt automaticaly when a record is done? I will be very happy if this way exist but can you confirm it? Thanks Carly

[ScottWorld]

You can also use DocuMint to do this as well (with or without Make.)

[kuovonne]

loic_DR:

Page designer can make a pdf right but it cant do it automaticaly right?

Correct. Getting a report from Page Designer into an attachment field is a multi-step process.

In order to get a fully automated system, you currently must use at least one third party service.

[Hannah_Wiginton]

On2Air has a Google Docs integration that allows you to automatically generate documents using your Airtable data, then exports it as a PDF attachment back to your Airtable base.

Here’s an example use-case - How to Create a Sales Contract PDF in Google Docs

and more info about the Google Docs function

[Jeff_Haskin]

The HTML solution is clever. Bypass document services entirely.

[kuovonne]

Jeff_Haskin:

Bypass document services entirely.

It doesn’t completely bypass document services. Currently there is no “one-click” solution to creating a pdf attachment that doesn’t involve at least one third party service.

In Justin’s case, he uses a combination of Integromat and CloudConvert. There are also other services. I tend to use PDFShift and I wrote the app Low Tech PDF that use PDFShift to create pdf attachments with one click.