Skip to main content

Troubleshooting

While PDF Generator for Joomla is designed to provide a seamless PDF generation experience, you may encounter certain issues or challenges. This section addresses some common problems and offers solutions to help you overcome them.

Differences Between GrapesJS Visual Editor and Dompdf Output​

Issue: You may encounter situations where what is displayed within the GrapesJS Visual Editor during template design differs from what is generated by the Dompdf library in the final PDF output.

Solution: To manage discrepancies between the GrapesJS editor and Dompdf output:

  • Simplified Template Design: Consider simplifying your template design within the GrapesJS Visual Editor. Sometimes, overly complex layouts or styling can lead to inconsistencies in the final PDF output.
  • Manual Tweaks: If specific elements or styling properties are not rendering correctly in the PDF, you may need to manually adjust the HTML and CSS within your template. Carefully review the code to identify and correct any inconsistencies.
  • Testing and Iteration: Regularly test your templates with real content to identify any discrepancies early in the design process. This allows you to make adjustments and fine-tune your templates for accurate PDF generation.
  • Stay Informed: Keep an eye on updates for the PDF Generator extension. Updates may include improvements to PDF rendering and compatibility, helping to reduce discrepancies over time.
  • Community Support: If you encounter specific rendering differences that are challenging to resolve, take a look at the PDF Generator support page, or consider reaching out to the Joomla community forums, or experienced Joomla developers for guidance and assistance.

While striving for the best consistency possible between the GrapesJS editor and the final PDF output is our goal, it's important to recognize that some variations may occur due to differences in rendering engines and the limitations of the Dompdf library. Regular testing, careful template design, and community support can help you manage and minimize these differences effectively.

Limited CSS Support in Dompdf​

Issue: Dompdf primarily supports CSS 2.1 and some CSS 3 properties. As a result, advanced layout techniques like Flexbox and CSS Grid may not work as expected, and certain CSS properties may not be fully supported.

Solution: To address CSS compatibility issues:

  • Avoid Advanced CSS Techniques: When designing templates, avoid using advanced CSS layout techniques such as Flexbox and CSS Grid. Stick to CSS 2.1 and basic CSS 3 properties for consistent PDF rendering.
  • Test and Iterate: Regularly test your templates with Dompdf to identify any specific CSS properties or features that may not render correctly. Make adjustments as needed.

To view the complete list of CSS compatibility with Dompdf, please click here.

Blank Pages or Incorrect PDF Displays​

Issue: Dompdf, the library used for PDF generation, can have difficulty splitting large tables over multiple pages. This may result in blank pages being inserted or the PDF displaying incorrectly.

Solution: To mitigate this issue, consider the following workarounds:

  • Split Large Tables: If you have large tables in your content, try splitting them into smaller tables. This can make it easier for Dompdf to handle pagination without introducing blank pages.
  • Adjust Template Layout: Review your template layout to see if there are any elements causing layout problems in the PDF. Sometimes, altering the template structure can improve PDF generation.

Shortcodes (Item Fields) Compatibility and Ongoing Improvements​

Issue: Shortcodes representing item fields, especially those from FLEXIcontent, can face challenges due to the extensive variety of fields available and the potential for custom user-created field plugins. In somcases, users

may encounter differences between their expectations and the actual output when using these fields. This discrepancy arises from the need to determine appropriate outputs for fields that haven't undergone exhaustive testing or standardization.

Solution and Ongoing Efforts:

  • Output Decisions: To address this diversity, the PDF Generator extension must make output decisions when encountering various fields. These decisions aim to ensure that the generated PDF remains coherent and functional.
  • Alignment with Expectations: Users may find that the output for certain fields doesn't align with their expectations, especially for complex or custom fields. This situation occurs because defining a one-size-fits-all output for every field type is impossible.
  • Ongoing Improvement: The development team is committed to improving field compatibility and output consistency. Regular updates may enhance field rendering and alignment with user expectations.
  • User Feedback: User feedback is invaluable for pinpointing field-related issues and guiding improvements. If you encounter challenges with specific fields or have suggestions for better compatibility, consider reaching out to the development team or community channels to share your insights.
  • Documentation: As part of the ongoing efforts, documentation updates may provide clearer guidance on working with various fields, including custom and complex types.

Our development team is dedicated to enhancing compatibility and seeking user input to refine field outputs. Continued testing and user involvement are crucial to addressing field-related challenges effectively.

Template Rendering Issues​

Issue: Templates may not render as expected in the PDF, leading to inconsistencies or unexpected results.

Solution: To troubleshoot template rendering issues:

  • Ensure that your templates are correctly designed using the GrapesJS Visual Editor. Verify that all elements are appropriately placed and formatted within the template.
  • Double-check your template's HTML and CSS to identify any potential issues that might affect PDF rendering.
  • Test the template with different article/items to ensure compatibility.

PDF Generation Errors​

Issue: You may encounter errors during the PDF generation process.

Solution: When dealing with PDF generation errors:

  • Review the template and file configurations to ensure they are correctly set up.
  • Check for any missing or incorrect shortcodes in your templates that could cause issues during PDF generation.
  • Examine the template's HTML and CSS for any syntax errors that may affect rendering.

File Association Problems​

Issue: Files may not associate correctly with articles or content items.

Solution: To address association problems:

  • Verify that the content type and data type settings in your templates match those in your articles or content items.
  • Ensure that files are linked to the correct articles or content items.
  • If associations are still problematic, consider recreating the file from scratch.

PDF Display in Frontend​

Issue: The PDF download buttons may not display correctly in your website's frontend.

Solution: To resolve frontend display issues:

  • Confirm that the associated PDF files and catalogs are published and generated. Without this, the download buttons will not appear.
  • Check the module settings for the Download File Module and Download Catalog Module to ensure they are correctly configured.

These troubleshooting steps should help you address common issues that may arise when using PDF Generator. If you encounter more specific or technical problems, you may need to consult our support, Joomla community forums, or a Joomla developer for further assistance.