Create PDF file using PL SQL

Question

Hello All:
I have an requirement of generating a PDF file using Oracle PL SQL program. Can anyone please let me know the procedure/code of doing this?
Thanks,
k Ramesh Gupta

Answer 1

I have steps to generate Excel sheet output, apply appropriate content-type for PDF in the PL/SQL written below, to get the same in PDF. i suppose it should be application/pdf
1. Create a custom DAD if required using Enterprise Manager Console of MidTier for HTTP Server or use Portal DAD itself to implement the solution.
2. Create a new procedure (a webdb solution) to stream the HTML for the excel sheet report which will be downloaded.
a. Login to Portal schema through SQL*Plus or the respective DAD based schema if custom DAD is created. (below example is created in custom DAD - 'scott').
SQL>CREATE OR REPLACE
PROCEDURE generateCsv
as
cursor p_emp is select * from PORTAL_DEMO.EMP;
begin
owa_util.mime_header( 'application/vnd.ms-excel', False ); -- Here change the content-type to PDF Format accordingly
htp.print('Content-Disposition: attachment;filename="pvasista.csv"');
owa_Util.Http_Header_Close;
for v_emp_cur in p_emp
LOOP
htp.p (v_emp_cur.ename || ',' || v_emp_cur.deptno || chr(13));
END LOOP;
end;
SQL> grant execute on generateCsv to public;
For education purpose getting the report of employee and deptno of al employees from PORTAL_DEMO.EMP table. Implement the necessary query/ Business Logic accordingly.
b. Now access http://midtier_host:port/pls/dad_name/generateCsv, will download a .csv based excel file report as shown in the screenshot below,
3. Open the Portal Page where the link is to be added, createa URL Item Link and add the above URL, select option "Open in new browser window"
4. It can also be enhanced to have filtering enabled on the report by using Portal Form using Option, "Form based on stored procedure" and selecting the above stored procedure.