Sign PDF with Metadata

Introduction

In this tutorial, we’ll learn how to sign a PDF document with metadata using GroupDocs.Signature for .NET. Adding metadata to a PDF can provide additional information about the document, such as authorship, creation date, document ID, and more.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, make sure you have the following:

1. GroupDocs.Signature for .NET: You can download it from here.
2. A PDF Document: Have a sample PDF file ready for signing.
3. Basic Knowledge of C# Programming: Familiarity with C# syntax is required to understand the code examples.

Import Namespaces

First, ensure you import the necessary namespaces to access the required classes and methods:

using System;
using System.IO;
using GroupDocs.Signature;
using GroupDocs.Signature.Domain;
using GroupDocs.Signature.Options;

Step 1: Load the PDF Document

Load the PDF document you want to sign:

string filePath = "sample.pdf";

Step 2: Specify Output File Path

Define the output file path where the signed PDF with metadata will be saved:

string outputFilePath = Path.Combine("Your Document Directory", "SignPdfWithMetadata", "SignedWithMetadata.pdf");

Step 3: Create Signature Instance

Initialize a Signature instance by providing the path to the PDF document:

using (Signature signature = new Signature(filePath))
{
    // Signature related code will go here
}

Step 4: Define Metadata Options

Create MetadataSignOptions and add metadata fields with their respective values:

MetadataSignOptions options = new MetadataSignOptions();
options
    .Add(new PdfMetadataSignature("Author", "Mr.Sherlock Holmes")) // String value
    .Add(new PdfMetadataSignature("CreatedOn", DateTime.Now))       // DateTime values
    .Add(new PdfMetadataSignature("DocumentId", 123456))            // Integer value
    .Add(new PdfMetadataSignature("SignatureId", 123.456D))         // Double value
    .Add(new PdfMetadataSignature("Amount", 123.456M))              // Decimal value
    .Add(new PdfMetadataSignature("Total", 123.456F));              // Float value

Step 5: Sign the Document

Sign the PDF document with the specified metadata options and save the signed document:

SignResult result = signature.Sign(outputFilePath, options);
Console.WriteLine($"\nSource document signed successfully with {result.Succeeded.Count} signature(s).\nFile saved at {outputFilePath}.");

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we’ve covered how to sign a PDF document with metadata using GroupDocs.Signature for .NET. By following the step-by-step guide, you can easily add metadata information such as authorship, creation date, and more to your PDF files, enhancing their utility and traceability.

FAQ’s

Can I add custom metadata fields to my PDF documents?

Yes, you can add custom metadata fields by specifying the field name and its corresponding value using GroupDocs.Signature for .NET.

Is GroupDocs.Signature for .NET compatible with all versions of .NET Framework?

GroupDocs.Signature for .NET is compatible with various versions of .NET Framework, ensuring flexibility and ease of integration.

Does GroupDocs.Signature support signing other document formats apart from PDF?

Yes, GroupDocs.Signature supports a wide range of document formats, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more.

Can I sign multiple documents in bulk using GroupDocs.Signature for .NET?

Yes, you can sign multiple documents in bulk by iterating through a list of files and applying the signature process programmatically.

Is technical support available for GroupDocs.Signature users?

Yes, GroupDocs provides dedicated technical support through its forums. You can access the support forum here.