> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.apryse.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.apryse.com/xamarin/basic-operations/open.md).

# Open a document

Learn how to open and display PDFs using Xamarin for Android, iOS, and Forms. Choose from various options like DocumentActivity, ViewController, or Document Viewer. Start viewing documents now! The Ap

You have a few options to open a document using Xamarin - Please choose one of Android, iOS and Forms to start with viewing a document

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Android" %}

## Open & display PDFs with Xamarin.Android

We can include the images from the basics open document overview here

[Show document in an activity](/xamarin/guides/android/basics/open.md) You can open a document in a DocumentActivity with configurable preset UI

[Show document in a fragment](/xamarin/guides/android/basics/open.md) You can open a document in a PdfViewTabHostFragment with a higher degree of customizability and interactive UI

[Show document in a view](/xamarin/guides/android/basics/open.md) Start with PdfViewCtrl, the most basic viewing element and build the UI and functionality yourself
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="iOS" %}

## Open & display PDFs with Xamarin.iOS

[Show document in an ViewController](/xamarin/guides/ios/basics/open.md) You can open a document in a DocumentViewController with configurable preset UI

[Show document in a multi-tabbed ViewController](/xamarin/guides/ios/basics/open.md) You can open a document in a DocumentTabbedViewController to be able to to switch between interacting with multiple files quickly

[Show document in a view](/xamarin/guides/ios/basics/open.md#view) Start with PTPPDFViewCtrl, the most basic viewing element and build the UI and functionality yourself
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Forms" %}

## Open & display PDFs with Xamarin.Forms

[Show document in an Document Viewer](/xamarin/guides/forms/basics/open.md#document) Open a document in a Document Viewer with annotation and other tools preset

[Show document in a Basic Viewer](/xamarin/guides/forms/basics/open.md#basic) Ember the viewing component for Xamarin.Forms
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}


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