Document authoring tool
Streamline PDF document creation and collaboration
Empower users with full document creation and editing capabilities — all within a web browser — with our document authoring tool. Modify text and images, control layout, and collaborate in real time with a fully featured document authoring experience.
Use cases
Create custom documents
Import a DOCX file as a foundation, or seamlessly integrate new, fully editable pages into existing PDF documents.
Edit documents in-app
Eliminate the need for third-party applications with page-based layouts for rich text editing, reminiscent of the familiar interfaces of Google Docs and MS Word.
Collaborate in real time
Leverage a robust suite of features to design, edit, annotate, and collaborate on complex documents from the convenience of a web browser.
Build templates for document creation
With immutable areas and support for repeating rows, templated fields, and arbitrary blocks, enable your users to design reports, invoices, contracts, and much more.
Ensure document fidelity
Open DOCX files in your app and then export edited documents to DOCX or PDF with identical rendering across all browsers and file formats.
Relied upon by industry leaders
features
How we help
Experience unmatched document creation and management with a Document Authoring Tool that adapts to your workflow and goes beyond what’s possible with other rich text libraries.
Knowledge center
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Frequently asked questions
What is Nutrient's Document Authoring SDK?
Nutrient's Document Authoring SDK is a web-based WYSIWYG editor that enables users to create, edit, and collaborate on documents directly within a web browser. It offers features comparable to desktop word processors like Google Docs and Microsoft Word.
What file formats does the SDK support for import and export?
The SDK supports importing and editing DOCX files, allowing users to modify documents seamlessly. Edited documents can be exported back to DOCX or converted to PDF, ensuring high fidelity across different formats.
Can the SDK be customized to match the look and feel of our application?
Yes, the SDK offers a fully customizable user interface, enabling developers to tailor toolbars, dialogs, and other UI components to align with their application's design and branding requirements.
Does the SDK support real-time collaboration features?
Yes, the SDK facilitates real-time collaboration, allowing multiple users to edit, annotate, and comment on documents simultaneously. This enhances teamwork and productivity within the application.
Is the SDK compatible with various platforms and browsers?
The SDK is designed with a browser-independent layout engine, ensuring consistent document rendering and functionality across all major web browsers. This guarantees that documents retain their formatting regardless of the user's browser choice.
What advanced editing features does the SDK offer?
The SDK provides advanced word processing capabilities, including the creation of complex tables, insertion of floating images, management of headers and footers, and implementation of sophisticated numbering systems. These features surpass the basic text editing functionalities of standard rich text editors.
How does the SDK handle document fidelity during editing and conversion?
The SDK ensures perfect fidelity when opening, editing, and exporting documents. Whether importing a DOCX file or exporting to DOCX or PDF, the document's layout and formatting remain consistent across all platforms and browsers.
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Document authoring tool
What is a document authoring tool?
A document authoring tool allows users to create, edit, and collaborate on rich documents directly in their web or mobile applications. Nutrient’s Document Authoring SDK gives developers everything they need to embed Word-like document creation into any app — complete with real-time collaboration, full styling control, and seamless DOCX/PDF export.
- Create and edit documents in the browser — no external apps needed.
- Supports DOCX imports and exports with perfect fidelity.
- Real-time collaboration, with inline commenting and chat.
- Drag-and-drop templating with immutable fields and smart logic.
- Export to PDF or DOCX with consistent formatting across platforms.
How to choose the right document authoring tool?
The best authoring tool should feel like Google Docs or Microsoft Word — without needing to leave your app. Here’s what to evaluate:
- Editing experience — Does it support rich text, layout tools, and image/media embedding?
- Collaboration features — Can users edit in real time with the ability track changes or leave comments?
- Template and layout control — Can you create dynamic templates with editable and locked regions?
- Format compatibility — Does it import/export DOCX and PDF without breaking layouts?
- Developer integration — Is the SDK flexible, well-documented, and easy to embed?
What are the best solutions to solve my document authoring needs?
There are several options on the market, but only a few combine full editing power with collaboration and format fidelity. Here’s how they compare:
- Nutrient SDK — Full-featured web authoring with DOCX support, collaboration, and templating in a single API.
- CKEditor / TinyMCE — Great for simple rich text but lack DOCX/PDF fidelity and collaboration.
- OnlyOffice / Collabora — Full-featured editing but heavier and harder to embed natively.
- Microsoft Graph API and Office Online — Enterprise-level, but complex to license and integrate.
What are the benefits of using Nutrient’s document authoring tool?
Nutrient’s SDK transforms your app into a full-featured document editor — ideal for internal tools, client portals, or workflow platforms where document creation is important.
- Browser-based editing — Rich text and layout tools built directly into your app.
- DOCX and PDF compatibility — Seamlessly open and export files with pixel-perfect fidelity.
- Built-in collaboration — Multiple users can co-edit, comment, and resolve feedback in real time.
- Smart templating — Create documents with dynamic sections, repeating rows, and immutable fields.
- White label-friendly — Fully customizable UI to match your app’s branding.
How does Nutrient’s SDK compare to other authoring solutions?
Nutrient stands apart by combining flexibility, performance, and fidelity in a lightweight SDK that’s built for developers.
- More format control — Create documents that render the same in DOCX and PDF.
- Faster embedding — Add full authoring with minimal setup or external dependencies.
- Better for collaboration — Inline comments, real-time editing, and history tracking.
- True WYSIWYG editing — What users see is exactly what gets saved/exported.
- Cross-platform consistency — Identical output across browsers, operating systems, and devices.