[Proven] 4 Methods To Convert PDF To Base64

The world of coding is a complicated one, especially if you are looking from the outside. You may have encountered Base64 encoding and wondered what that term means. Suppose you want to ship binary data across a network. It would be wise to refrain from streaming the bits and bytes in their raw format.

The best thing to do would be to encode the data into a Base64 format. Encoding also prevents your binary data from being damaged. Stick around to learn four efficient methods to convert your PDF to Base64.

What Is Base64?

Base64 is an encoding scheme representing a sequence of 8-bit bytes in sequences of 24 bits. These bits are then classified into four 6-but digits in the Base64 format. Base64 is commonly used in the World Wide Web and helps developers embed binary assets and other image files into textual assets.

Another everyday use for Base64 is sending email attachments. Simple Mail Transfer Protocol was initially designed to transport 7-bit ASCII characters. Unfortunately, this encoding system led to a high percentage of overhead due to inserted line breaks. Base64 has proven to be a more reliable way to send email attachments.

The moment you have a good grasp on Base4, you can apply it to OpenSSL, Kubernetes secrets, and email applications. You can also be in a better position to understand how data is stored in the tools you use every day.

Why Use Base64?

Some various mediums and protocols cannot handle data in the binary format. Base64 converts binary data into printable text that is simple to read and recognizable to these mediums.

Where ASCII uses 8 bits to represent individual characters, Base64 uses six. The 8-bit chunks are too large for some mediums to handle, making it necessary to break them down into 6-bit chunks, which are smaller. You can use an ASCII-to-binary conversion table to look up the values of each character. The final step would be to use a Base64 table to convert the 6-bit values to simple text.

Method 1. PDF to Base64 Converter Software

Developers have been working round the clock to design software to help users like you convert pdf to Base64 online. There are so many options in the market that you can barely exhaust them all. The first efficient software converter you can use is Base64 Encoder.

Base64 Encoder was released six (6) years ago and is a product of Sourceforge, which was founded in 1999 to be a complete software platform for business and open-source software. It can encode any file you want, including .txt and .exe files, meaning you don't have to worry about the software not recognizing the file you want to convert. Here are some other excellent features that come with this software.

• A lowered net dependency to 2.0
• Base64 image decoder
• 32bit and 64bit version
• Drag and drop compatibility

Below is a simple guide to help you use Base64 Encoder to convert a PDF to Base64 file format.

Step 1 Select "Open File" on the software and browse the PDF file you want to convert from your internal storage.

Step 2 The software will instantly convert the selected file and display it in the output text box.

Step 3 Copy the Base64 string and save it as a text file.

Method 2. PDF to Base64 Converter Online

Apart from software, you can use online converter tools to help you transform your PDF to Base64 file format. These tools are highly convenient because you can perform all your conversions on the cloud without downloading any apps or software to your device. Based on our research, we have discovered that Aspose is one of the best online tools to convert your PDF to Base64.

If you are looking for a powerful online tool that is user-friendly and highly efficient, then Aspose is a perfect choice. As we mentioned earlier, there is no need to install desktop software. This platform is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android devices. You can even use this online tool with your smartphone and obtain the same results.

Aspose guarantees that your files are safe from prying eyes because it deletes all files 24 hours after conversion. The download links will also stop working after the time limit has lapsed. Aspose APIs within the platform ensure that the conversion quality is top-tier, leaving you with a polished document.

Use the guide below to help you convert your PDF to Base64 online with Aspose.

Step 1 Go to the Aspose website and select "Upload or Drop your files."

Step 2 Navigate to the "Save as" tab and select Base64 as the output format.

Step 3 Click the green "Convert" button to initiate the process.

Method 3. Convert PDF to Base63 String in Python

Python is a high-level programming language characterized by dynamic semantics, exceptions, modules, and dynamic typing. One striking fact about Python is that it combines syntax with incredible power. Python also interfaces with many windows systems, libraries, and system calls. Last but not least, Python is extensible to both C and C++ programming languages.

Here is a list of code you can use with Python 3 to convert PDF to Base64 string.

Step 1 The following is a list of codes you could use to import the PDF file you want to convert.

Step 2 This is what the output should look like.

Step 3 Save the Base64 file in the desired output folder on your device, as shown.

Method 4. Use Java To Convert PDF to Base64

James Gosling designed Java in 1995 as a programming language mainly for coding web applications. Over the years, Java has grown in popularity, and most developers prefer to use it over other programming languages in the market.

You can use Java in the Internet of things, cloud computing, developing games, artificial intelligence, data processing engines, and server-side technologies. Since Java is a network-centric, object-oriented language, you can use the platform the way it is,

This section of the article will show you how to use Java to convert your PDF to Base64 file format.

Step 1 Pass the PDF through java.util.Base64.Encoder to transform the digital document into bytes. Here is the code to help you achieve that.

Step 2 If you have limited memory and are converting large files, you can perform the encoding method using a stream, as shown below.

It May Interest You – Edit PDF Before Encoding to Base4

At the beginning of this article, you may have had some reservations about the Base64 file format. Now you can see that the process is very straightforward, especially if you have the right tools and software.

Suppose you want to make changes to your PDF before you convert it to a Base64 file format. You will have to repeat the entire process if you notice a mistake you should have corrected in the converted file. Wondershare PDFelement is an excellent editing tool to make changes to your PDF before encoding it to a Base64 file.

The Edit feature within this platform allows you to quickly fix typos within your digital document and edit text with the same formatting as the original. You can also use the Edit feature to change the text's size, alignment, color, and font. The built-in spell check ensures that the changes you make to the PDF are free from grammatical or spelling errors.

With Wondershare PDFelement, you can fill forms or create fillable fields, edit PDF pages by splitting, combining, deleting, or rotating pages, and convert an image within your PDF to editable text.

There is no limit to what you can do with Wondershare PDFelement. This platform is truly your one-stop solution for all your PDF-editing needs. To learn more about PDFelement, watch the video below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Before we wind this article up, here are some answers to frequently asked questions about Base64 and PDF file formats.

Q1. Can You Convert Any File to Base64?

Yes, you can convert any file format to a Base64 file effortlessly. All you need is an efficient converter to help make your work easier. Browserling is an excellent example of an online tool to help you convert any file to Base64.

Converting any file to Base64 with Browserling is as easy as dragging and dropping the file to their server. Within a few clicks, your desired file will be converted to Base64, ready for download. The input file you want to convert doesn't have to be static.

Browserling also supports the conversion of mp3 and mp4 files to Bas64. One major perk about using this online tool to convert your files is that you don't have to deal with pesky ads blocking your entire screen.

Q2. How To Use C# To Convert PDF to Base64?

The first step to using C# to convert a PDF to Base64 is loading the file to File.ReadAllBytes. This first step breaks the file into an array of bytes. You can then encode the byte array as you normally would using Convert.ToBase64String(bytes). The second step converts the bytes into a Base64 string, transforming the file into a Base64 file format.

Q3. Can a PDF Be Converted?

You can effortlessly convert a PDF file to any other format you want. However, you need an offline or online tool to help you achieve this task. Wondershare PDFelement is the best tool to have in your arsenal if you want to convert files fast without losing the formatting of the original.

The Convert feature on this platform allows you to transform your PDF into an office file, image, and other file formats such as HTML, EPUB, and RTF. Wondershare PDFelement supports many file formats and is free to download on your Windows, macOS, and iOS devices. If you don't want to use the desktop version, you can opt for the online version and skip installing software on your device.

Conclusion

Base64 might seem like a complicated encoding system at first glance. However, once you interact with it, you quickly discover that it is almost a walk in the park. The online tools and software we have discussed eliminate the need for you to dabble in coding and go straight to converting your file without breaking a sweat.