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Asked: 2024-09-25T01:55:14+05:30

How can I transfer the pdf.worker.js file from the pdfjs-dist build directory to my Create React App project?

I’m diving into this project where I’m trying to integrate PDF.js with my Create React App (CRA), and I’m hitting a bit of a wall when it comes to getting pdf.worker.js set up properly. I installed pdfjs-dist and figured out that it’s bundling a bunch of stuff for handling PDFs, which is super cool, but now I need to figure out how to get pdf.worker.js from the build directory into my CRA.

I’ve done some digging and saw that this worker file is essential for making sure the PDF rendering happens in a separate thread, which sounds like it could really boost performance. But here’s where I’m a little lost. The structure of pdfjs-dist is a bit different from what I expected, and I’m not really sure how to navigate through it to find that worker file. I get that it’s supposed to be in the build directory, but when I look there, it’s a bit of a maze.

So, how do I actually go about transferring the pdf.worker.js file into my project? Do I have to copy it manually, or is there a way to reference it directly from the node_modules folder? I want to keep everything as clean as possible, so I’m leaning towards just doing it the “right” way and not cluttering my project with files that don’t belong there.

Once I do find the file, what’s the best practice for using it in my CRA? Should I place it in the `public` folder, or does it belong somewhere else? I’m also a little curious about how to correctly set the workerSrc property in the PDF.js setup. It seems like that step is crucial for making everything work.

If anyone’s been through this before, I’d love to hear how you tackled it. Any tips on transferring the file and setting it up properly would be super appreciated. Thanks a bunch!

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    2 Answers






    1. Integrating PDF.js with Create React App

      Integrating PDF.js with Create React App

      It sounds like you’re on the right path with integrating PDF.js into your Create React App! Getting the pdf.worker.js set up can be a bit confusing, but I’ll try to break it down for you.

      Finding the pdf.worker.js

      First off, after installing pdfjs-dist, you should find pdf.worker.js in the following directory:

      node_modules/pdfjs-dist/build/pdf.worker.js

      Instead of copying it manually into your project, a cleaner approach is to reference it directly from the node_modules folder.

      Setting Up Workers in CRA

      To set up pdf.worker.js, you can follow these steps:

      1. In your JavaScript/React file, import PDF.js:
        2. import { PDFJS } from 'pdfjs-dist';
      2. Then set the workerSrc property like this:
        3. PDFJS.GlobalWorkerOptions.workerSrc = \'/pdf.worker.js\';
      3. Since you’re using CRA, a good spot to serve your worker file is the public folder. So, copy the pdf.worker.js file from node_modules/pdfjs-dist/build/ into your public folder.

      Final Touches

      After copying it, make sure your workerSrc path matches where you placed the file:

      PDFJS.GlobalWorkerOptions.workerSrc = '/pdf.worker.js';

      This way, your app will look for the worker script correctly.

      Additional Notes

      Using the public folder keeps your project organized and avoids clutter. Just remember that anything you place in public will be served at the root of your built app.

      I hope this helps clear things up a bit! It’s definitely a learning process, but you’re getting there!



    2. To integrate pdf.worker.js into your Create React App (CRA) using pdfjs-dist, you can streamline the process rather than moving the file manually. Since pdfjs-dist bundles the worker file, you can reference it directly from the node_modules folder. First, install pdfjs-dist if you haven’t already done so using npm install pdfjs-dist. Then, you can set the workerSrc property in your main PDF.js setup code as follows:
      pdfjs.GlobalWorkerOptions.workerSrc = require('pdfjs-dist/build/pdf.worker.entry');
      This method will ensure you’re using the correct worker file without the need to clutter your project structure with additional files.

      For best practices, avoid placing the worker file in the public folder; instead, keep your configuration clean by handling it through module imports. In your PDF component, after setting the workerSrc, you can use PDFJS.getDocument(url).promise to load your PDF document, which will now run the rendering process in a separate thread thanks to the worker setup. Always ensure to check for any updates in pdfjs-dist documentation for the latest practices, as paths and methods may change with updates. With this setup, you should have a clean and efficient PDF rendering system in your React application.


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