In this blog post, we tell you the best way to convert PDF to HTML, looking at advantages and disadvantages for each method. PDF is a reliable and efficient way to view documents. However, converting to HTML5 (the latest version of HTML) can add a lot of value and open up opportunities to interact with documents in new ways.

Ways to convert PDF to HTML

Method 1: Make an image of the page

Display as an image element in HTML5
Advantages: Simple. Looks identical.
Disadvantages: Large file size, does not scale, text not selectable.

Method 2: Make a image of the page and get text

Display as an image in HTML5 with hidden text behind it to allow text selection and search
Advantages: looks identical and gives text selection.
Disadvantages: Large file size, does not scale, text may be ignored by search engines.

Method 3: Convert all Contents into HTML5 equivalent

Advantages: Text stays as text, images stay as images and Vector content can be put on canvas or image. Smaller file size, perfect zoom on text, searchable.
Disadvantages: PDF layout not exactly reproducible, lots of work with font conversions. Can you legally use the fonts?

Method 4: Convert content into SVG

Advantages: SVG often looks better than HTML5 for text and images. All modern browsers can display SVG
Disadvantages: SVG does not offer key HTML5 features like forms.

In practice we find that a combination of the above is the best general case (with the option to use other modes if more appropriate).

How you can convert PDF to HTML using BuildVu

BuildVu is a software product developed by IDRsolutions to convert PDF into high quality HTML. We have spent over 20 years developing it so far!

You can use BuildVu in two ways.

If you just need a singular file conversion you can use the free online converter. Our online converter allows you to make a total of 5 conversions a day.

If you need to make a bulk conversion you can use one of the three BuildVu licenses available.

BuildVu can convert your documents to HTML5 or SVG with the highest accuracy but at the lowest file size. The design is clear and straightforward. We are constantly working on and improving our software, and a new release is available every 6 weeks. These improvements and bug fixes are discussed in our Release Notes that we publish at the same time.

If you want to find out why you should convert to HTML5 then be sure to check out our new article which goes into detail about this. You can find the article here: https://blog.idrsolutions.com/why-convert-pdf-documents-to-html/

Now your customers can view pages inside a PDF at a lightning speed!

Find out how one company did it with BuildVu

BuildVu allows you to