Launching pdf from C#.NET

Question

How do I launch a pdf file after creating it in a Windows application C#.NET?

robin 0 · Answer

if you need just to start Acrobat reader without any further control of it - you can use first method, but keep in mind, that not on all computers it will work - for example, on my own you can't just tell "Acrobat.exe" - you need to tell full path to Acrobat Reader... So, anyway, it's better to use StartInfo object to let system find proper application to use on pdf file by it's own. Using process object is good because of ability to control your child process, you can close it, control it's closing etc. If you don't need it - use static Start, but I highly recommend you to use StartInfo object; something like this: ProcessStartInfo si = new ProcessStartInfo(); si.FileName = @"C:	est.pdf"; si.UseShellExecute = true; Process.Start(si);

mstoddard · Answer

Through some trial and error, I found that this single line: Process.Start("Acrobat.exe", "c:\test.pdf"); works also. I'm not sure of the implications for doing it this way with one line of code versus: Process myProcess = new Process(); myProcess.StartInfo.FileName = "c:\test.pdf"; myProcess.StartInfo.UseShellExecute=true; myProcess.Start(); With the first, I did not need to create a new object, but in the second you must in order to get to the StartInfo method Any thoughts?

robin 0 · Answer

You can always save it and start through Process.Start();, setting Process.StartInfo.FileName to pdf file name and Process.StartInfo.UseShellExecute = true;

Launching pdf from C#.NET

Answers (3)