Exporting Fonts as Base64 Using XSLT

Learn how to export fonts as `Base64` using XSLT and create custom @ font-face styles for your projects.
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Exporting Fonts as Base64 Using XSLT: A Step-by-Step Guide

When creating web pages using XSLT and CSS, you may encounter the challenge of ensuring that custom fonts are loaded correctly. One common issue arises when the desired font isn't available on the hosting system, leading to substitution by a fallback font. In this guide, we will explore how to export a font as Base64 using XSLT and include it effectively in your CSS through the @ font-face rule.

The Problem Defined

In many cases, when styling HTML elements, such as in a generated output from a .fo file, you may need to specify a custom font. However, if that font is not available in the standard font directory, your browser will substitute it with a different font. The objective here is to define a way to embed that font directly into your CSS using Base64 encoding.

Example of the Problem

Let’s say you have the following CSS for a specific element:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

If the font ITCFranklinGothicStd-Book is not found, it will be replaced with a default font instead of displaying the intended typography.

The Solution: Using XSLT to Embed Fonts

The solution involves using XSLT to read the font file and convert it into Base64. This encoded data can then be embedded in your CSS using the @ font-face rule to ensure the font renders correctly in web browsers.

Step 1: Use the Right XSLT Processor

To implement this solution, make sure you are using an XSLT processor that supports the EXPath file module. One recommended processor is Saxon-PE, which allows you to read binary files with ease.

Step 2: Reading the Font File

You can use the following template to read the font file and convert it to Base64:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Breakdown of the Code

<xsl:template name="fontexport">: This declares a new template named fontexport that you can call later.

<xsl:param name="font"/>: This parameter takes the path of the font file you want to convert.

<xsl:param name="fontname"/>: This parameter receives the name of the font that you want to use in the CSS.

@ font-face: This CSS rule is where you declare your custom font using the passed parameters.

Step 3: Expected Output

Once you call this template with the appropriate parameters, it will generate CSS output like this:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Conclusion

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully embed custom fonts using Base64 encoding in your XSLT-generated HTML. This approach not only ensures that your chosen typography is consistently rendered but also enhances the visual appeal of your web projects. Always test your implementation on different browsers to ensure font compatibility.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further assistance on this subject!

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Is it possible to export a font as base64 using xslt?, css, xslt, fonts, xslt 2.0, xsl fo