Update Built-In Properties in PDFs using .NET

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will learn how to use GroupDocs.Metadata for .NET to update built-in properties of PDF documents. This library provides a powerful set of tools to manipulate metadata within various document formats. We’ll walk through the necessary steps to modify properties like author, title, creation date, keywords, creator, and producer in a PDF file using C#.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, ensure you have the following in place:

  • GroupDocs.Metadata for .NET Library: Download the library from here.
  • Visual Studio: Install Visual Studio to write and execute the C# code.
  • Basic Understanding of C#: Familiarity with C# programming language is recommended.

Import Namespaces

Start by including the necessary namespaces in your C# project:

using System;
using GroupDocs.Metadata;
using GroupDocs.Metadata.Formats.Document;

Step 1: Initialize Metadata Object

Begin by initializing a Metadata object with the path to your PDF file:

using (Metadata metadata = new Metadata("Your Input File Path"))
{
    // Your code will go here
}

Step 2: Access PDF Root Package

Next, retrieve the root package specifically for PDF using GetRootPackage<PdfRootPackage>():

var root = metadata.GetRootPackage<PdfRootPackage>();

Step 3: Update Document Properties

Now, update the desired properties of the PDF document within the PdfRootPackage:

root.DocumentProperties.Author = "New Author Name";
root.DocumentProperties.CreatedDate = DateTime.Now;
root.DocumentProperties.Title = "New Document Title";
root.DocumentProperties.Keywords = "keyword1, keyword2";
root.DocumentProperties.Creator = "Document Creator";
root.DocumentProperties.Producer = "Document Producer";

Step 4: Save Changes

After modifying the properties, save the changes back to the PDF file:

metadata.Save("Your Output File Path");

Step 5: Retrieve Updated Properties

To verify the changes, reload the metadata and retrieve the updated properties:

using (Metadata metadata = new Metadata("Your Output File Path"))
{
    var root = metadata.GetRootPackage<PdfRootPackage>();
    Console.WriteLine("Author: " + root.DocumentProperties.Author);
    Console.WriteLine("Created Date: " + root.DocumentProperties.CreatedDate);
    Console.WriteLine("Title: " + root.DocumentProperties.Title);
    Console.WriteLine("Keywords: " + root.DocumentProperties.Keywords);
    Console.WriteLine("Creator: " + root.DocumentProperties.Creator);
    Console.WriteLine("Producer: " + root.DocumentProperties.Producer);
}

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we explored how to leverage GroupDocs.Metadata for .NET to update built-in properties of PDF documents programmatically. By following the outlined steps, you can efficiently manage and modify metadata within PDF files using C#. Feel free to explore more features and capabilities offered by GroupDocs.Metadata for comprehensive metadata manipulation.

FAQ’s

Q: What is GroupDocs.Metadata for .NET?

A: GroupDocs.Metadata for .NET is a library that allows developers to read, edit, remove, and manipulate metadata in various document formats programmatically.

Q: Where can I find the documentation for GroupDocs.Metadata for .NET?

A: You can access the documentation here.

Q: How can I download GroupDocs.Metadata for .NET?

A: You can download GroupDocs.Metadata for .NET from this link.

Q: Is there a free trial available?

A: Yes, you can get a free trial version here.

Q: Where can I get support for GroupDocs.Metadata for .NET?

A: For support, visit the GroupDocs.Metadata forum here.