How to Add Annotations using Custom API Calls to PDF.co from Zapier?

Sep 2, 2024·5 Minutes Read

In this tutorial, we will show you how you can add text, images, text fields, unchecked checkbox, checked checkbox to an existing PDF file using the Custom API Call. To do this, we will call the /pdf/edit/add endpoint which is also known as PDF Filler in PDF.co for Zapier. You can read about the other endpoints in our API Docs.

The Custom API Call is designed for advanced users. There are additional customizations available here compared to PDF Filler in PDF.co Action plugin for Zapier. If you are not looking for advanced settings, you can use the PDF Filler in PDF.co Action in the plugin. Here is the tutorial to see it in action: How to Add Text and Images with Links to a PDF using Zapier.

Sample PDF File To Add Annotations — Screenshot of Source PDF file

IN THIS TUTORIAL

Set Up Zapier Action

Configure the Custom API Call

Test & Review

Copy & Paste URL to Browser to See Output

Step 1: Set Up Zapier Action

Kindly select PDF.co as the App and Custom API Call as the Action Event.

Set Custom API Call In PDF.co As The Action Step

Step 2: Set Up Zapier Action

Select PDF.co as the App and Custom API Call as the Action Event.

Step 3: Configure the Custom API Call

In the PDF.co API Endpoint field, select v1/pdf/edit/add.
In the Input JSON field, enter the JSON code. Below is the complete JSON code that we will use to add our annotations. Check out the API docs for more information about PDF.co API endpoints and its samples in the API Docs.

{
    "async": false,
    "encrypt": true,
    "name": "newDocument",
    "url": "https://bytescout-com.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/files/demo-files/cloud-api/pdf-edit/sample.pdf",
    "annotations": [
        {
            "text": "Testing, one, two, three.",
            "x": 20,
            "y": 480,
            "size": 12,
            "pages": "0-"
        },
        {
            "text": "Testing Clickable Links \r\n(CLICK ME!)",
            "x": 200,
            "y": 170,
            "size": 24,
            "pages": "0-",
            "color": "CCBBAA",
            "link": "https://bytescout.com/"
        },
        {
            "text": "Simple text label (default type)",
            "x": 100,
            "y": 520,
            "size": 12,
            "pages": "0-",
            "type": "Text"
        },
        {
            "text": "sample prefilled text",
            "x": 10,
            "y": 500,
            "size": 12,
            "pages": "0-",
            "type": "TextField",
            "id": "textfield1"
        },
        {
            "x": 100,
            "y": 550,
            "size": 12,
            "pages": "0-",
            "type": "Checkbox",
            "id": "checkbox2"
        },
        {
            "x": 100,
            "y": 570,
            "size": 12,
            "pages": "0-",
            "link": "https://bytescout-com.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/files/demo-files/cloud-api/pdf-edit/logo.png",
            "type": "CheckboxChecked",
            "id": "checkbox3"
        }
    ],
    "images": [
        {
            "url": "https://bytescout-com.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/files/demo-files/cloud-api/pdf-edit/logo.png",
            "x": 350,
            "y": 30,
            "pages": "0"
        },
        {
            "url": "https://bytescout-com.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/files/demo-files/cloud-api/pdf-edit/logo.png",
            "x": 350,
            "y": 100,
            "width": 50,
            "height": 50,
            "pages": "0"
        },
        {
            "url": "bytescout-com.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/files/demo-files/cloud-api/pdf-edit/logo.png",
            "x": 200,
            "y": 250,
            "pages": "0",
            "link": "www.pdf.co"
        }
    ]
}