How to Display PDF Files in a New Tab within a React JS Application

Описание: Learn how to easily display PDF files in a new tab in your React JS application with a simple solution that keeps everything on the front-end.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/63626858/ asked by the user 'Sri Amin' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/11020840/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/63627664/ provided by the user 'Mickey Gray' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/13030248/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

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How to Display PDF Files in a New Tab within a React JS Application

If you are diving into the world of React JS and building your first application, you might encounter the need to display PDF files. A common requirement is to have a button that opens a PDF in a new tab, allowing users to view the document as they would from local files. In this guide, we'll explore a straightforward approach to accomplish this while keeping it all on the front-end.

The Challenge

Displaying PDF files can often lead to confusion, especially for new developers. You may find various methods online, but many suggest server-side solutions, leaving you frustrated if you're focusing solely on front-end development. The goal here is to display the PDF directly from your React application without needing a backend.

The Solution

Here's how to display a PDF file in your React application seamlessly:

Step 1: Preparing Your PDF File

First, ensure your PDF file is included in your project directory. Place your PDF file in a suitable folder, for example, src/forms/. In our case, we'll use a file named f14134.pdf.

Step 2: Importing the Necessary Components

In your React component, you need to import the file. Here's how to structure your code:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Explanation of the Code

Import React and the PDF: The first line imports React, which is essential for creating components. The second line imports the PDF file so that it can be utilized within your component.

Creating the Component: The MyComponent function defines a functional component.

Using the <iframe> Tag: The <iframe> tag is employed to embed the PDF. The src attribute is set to the imported PDF file, while the style attribute controls the dimensions of the viewer.

Type and Title: The type specifies that the content is a PDF, and the title provides a description of the content which is beneficial for accessibility.

Benefits of Using this Approach

Front-End Only: Since this solution is a front-end method, it keeps your application clean and efficient.

Easy Implementation: The solution can be integrated quickly without complex configurations.

Native PDF Viewer: The native browser version of the PDF viewer launches, ensuring a familiar viewing experience.

Conclusion

Displaying PDF files in a new tab within your React JS application can be achieved effortlessly by following the steps above. You no longer need to depend on server-side solutions to make your PDF files accessible. By utilizing an <iframe>, you can provide users with instant access to documents directly from your application.

Feel free to customize the size of the viewer as per your requirements, and enjoy building your React applications!