Re: Generate PDF while using _webout in data step

dipanarya1 · Posted 11-02-2018 12:16 PM

Hello Team,

I am looking for the sample code which can generate and allow user to download the PDF file while using the _webout in data step( data _null_) in stored process.

I have tried multiple options using the below content disposition but it is allowing me to download the pdf file but giving an error while opening downloaded PDF file, attached screenshot for your reference.

%let RV = %sysfunc(appsrv_header(Content-type, application/pdf));
%let RV = %sysfunc(appsrv_header(Content-disposition, %str(attachment; )filename=temp.pdf));

Please note, STP code is working fine and able to generate RTF and Excel.

Thanks and Regards,

Dipan Arya

AllanBowe · Posted 11-02-2018 12:59 PM

First of all, try opening your .pdf file in notepad - if there are errors, it will actually contain the log.

Secondly, use the `stpsrv()` function methods, as these replace the IntrNet `appsrv` equivalents.

Thirdly, don't try and write directly to _webout. Instead, write to disk and then stream it as binary content (eg with this macro), this way you can at least inspect the file before it is sent (as well as manage multi step PDF writes).

Finally, be sure that you haven't used `%stpbegin` or sent any other content to the destination beforehand.

Good luck..

/Allan
SAS Challenges - SASensei
MacroCore library for app developers
SAS networking events (BeLux, Germany, UK&I)
Data Workflows, Data Contracts, Data Lineage, Drag & drop excel EUCs to SAS 9 & Viya - Data Controller
DevOps and AppDev on SAS 9 / Viya / Base SAS - SASjs

Vince_SAS · Posted 11-11-2018 03:51 PM

Can you share the log for the code that is failing? Something like this should work:

%let _ODSDEST=pdf;

%let RV = %sysfunc(appsrv_header(Content-type, application/pdf));
%let RV = %sysfunc(appsrv_header(Content-disposition, %str(attachment; )filename="temp.pdf"));

%STPBEGIN()

proc print data=sashelp.class; run; quit;

%STPEND()

Vince DelGobbo

SAS R&D

dipanarya1 · Posted 11-12-2018 10:13 AM

Hello @Vince_SAS,

Thanks for your reply.

The pdf is getting generated with HTML tag used in the data step using _webout. i have tried to open it using notepad.

Can you please suggest any workaround?

Thanks and Regards,

Dipan Arya

Vince_SAS · Posted 11-12-2018 10:30 AM

I don't understand what your code is doing. You need to show the code or the log, or both.

Vince DelGobbo

SAS R&D

dipanarya1 · Posted 11-12-2018 10:48 AM

Hello @Vince_SAS,

Thanks for quick reply.

Please find attached log for your reference.

Thanks and Regards,

Dipan Arya

dipanarya1 · Posted 11-12-2018 10:56 AM

Hello @Vince_SAS,

Also attaching the PDF file which is being generated by the code after adding your suggested options to generate PDF.

i have tried to open the file and i can see the HTML TAGs in the PDF file.

Thanks and Regards,

Dipan Arya

Vince_SAS · Posted 11-12-2018 11:02 AM

The "temp.pdf" file in the ZIP archive that you attached is not a PDF file. It is an HTML file. Adobe Reader cannot open HTML files.

You need to change the logic of your program to create a PDF file when that is the desired type of output.

Vince DelGobbo

SAS R&D

dipanarya1 · Posted 11-12-2018 11:12 AM

Hello @Vince_SAS,

Thanks for quick reply.

If you check the log file, i applied the _odsdest =pdf and commands to set "appsrv_header" to generate PDF and Initially i also mentioned that the PDF is generated but with the HTML tags. we are using same process to generate the excel and RTF which is working fine but for pdf it is exported with the HTML Tags.

Requesting your help.

Thanks and Regards,

Dipan Arya

Vince_SAS · Posted 11-12-2018 11:24 AM

Yes, I saw that. I also saw DATA step code that writes HTML to _WEBOUT:

MPRINT(MAC_REPORT):   data _null_;
MPRINT(MAC_REPORT):   file _webout;
MPRINT(MAC_REPORT):   PUT '<HTML>';
MPRINT(MAC_REPORT):   PUT '<HEAD>';
MPRINT(MAC_REPORT):   PUT '<STYLE>';
MPRINT(MAC_REPORT):   PUT 'TD {';
MPRINT(MAC_REPORT):   put 'font-family:arial;font-size:12px;BORDER-COLOR:BLACK;border-style:SOLID;border-width:1px;text-align: RIGHT;vertical-align: text-bottom; height: 25px';
MPRINT(MAC_REPORT):   put '}';

...

This is the HTML that I see at the beginning of what you think is a PDF file.

Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word can open HTML files, and I suspect that is why it "worked" there. You did not create true Excel or RTF files. When you opened the file with Excel and Word you probably got messages indicating that the file type didn't match the file contents. It is trying to tell you that you don't have the type of file that you think that you have.

Vince DelGobbo

SAS R&D

dipanarya1 · Posted 11-12-2018 12:13 PM

Thanks again @Vince_SAS.

We have to used the HTML tags due to some specific requirements.

Can you please suggest an approach to generate PDF while using the HTML tags in _webout.

Thanks and Regards,
Dipan Arya

Vince_SAS · Posted 11-12-2018 12:15 PM

You probably need to get a product that converts HTML to PDF, and then return the resulting PDF file.

Vince DelGobbo

SAS R&D

dipanarya1 · Posted 11-12-2018 12:41 PM

Can you please suggest any product?

Vince_SAS · Posted 11-12-2018 12:52 PM

I have never used any. You will have to search the Web for a product.

Vince DelGobbo

SAS R&D

SAS Innovate 2025: Register Now

SAS Training: Just a Click Away