# Choosing Between RadFlowDocumentEditor, RadFixedDocumentEditor, and FixedContentEditor

## Environment

| Version    | Product                           | Author                                                                |
| ---------- | --------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| 2026.2.707 | PdfProcessing and WordsProcessing | [Yoan Karamanov](https://www.telerik.com/blogs/author/yoan-karamanov) |

## Description

You need to decide between `RadFlowDocumentEditor`, `RadFixedDocumentEditor`, and `FixedContentEditor` for document generation with the [Document Processing Libraries](https://www.telerik.com/document-processing-libraries/documentation/introduction). The three editors serve different layout models, come from different libraries, and offer different levels of control and convenience.

## Solution

Use this rule first:

* Choose `RadFlowDocumentEditor` when your source model is Word-like flow content (`RadFlowDocument`) and you need high-level editing.
* Choose `RadFixedDocumentEditor` when your output is PDF and you need flow-like authoring with automatic pagination.
* Choose `FixedContentEditor` when your output is PDF and you need precise, coordinate-based placement.

### Library and Model Differences

| Library                                                                                                                         | Main document model | What it is best at                                                         | Format notes                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [RadWordsProcessing](https://www.telerik.com/document-processing-libraries/documentation/libraries/radwordsprocessing/overview) | `RadFlowDocument`   | Word-processing scenarios: rich text, sections, paragraphs, fields, tables | Supports multiple import and export formats. PDF support is [export only](https://www.telerik.com/document-processing-libraries/documentation/libraries/radwordsprocessing/formats-and-conversion/formats-and-conversion). |
| [RadPdfProcessing](https://www.telerik.com/document-processing-libraries/documentation/libraries/radpdfprocessing/overview)     | `RadFixedDocument`  | Native PDF creation/import/edit/export                                     | Designed for fixed-layout PDF content and page-level control.                                                                                                                                                              |

### Editor Comparison

| Editor                                                                                                                                                  | Library            | Layout behavior                                                 | Pros                                                                                             | Cons                                                                                         | Best use cases                                                                        |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [RadFlowDocumentEditor](https://www.telerik.com/document-processing-libraries/documentation/libraries/radwordsprocessing/editing/radflowdocumenteditor) | RadWordsProcessing | Flow-based in Word document model                               | High productivity API; inserts content in logical order; good for structured document generation | Not a PDF-native editor; final PDF output depends on WordsProcessing PDF export capabilities | DOCX-first generation, templates, mail-merge-like content assembly                    |
| [RadFixedDocumentEditor](https://www.telerik.com/document-processing-libraries/documentation/libraries/radpdfprocessing/editing/radfixeddocumenteditor) | RadPdfProcessing   | Flow-like authoring for PDF with automatic sizing and page flow | Less manual layout work; convenient for text-heavy PDF reports; handles page flow automatically  | Less absolute control than coordinate-based drawing                                          | PDF reports, invoices, catalogs, long flowing documents                               |
| [FixedContentEditor](https://www.telerik.com/document-processing-libraries/documentation/libraries/radpdfprocessing/editing/fixedcontenteditor)         | RadPdfProcessing   | Fixed positioning on a specific PDF page/content root           | Maximum control over exact placement, size, transforms, and drawing                              | You must manage coordinates, available space, and overlap/cropping risks manually            | Pixel-precise layout, overlays, stamps, custom graphics, form-like positioned content |

### Practical Guidance

If you create content similar to a Word document, start with `RadFlowDocumentEditor`.
If you create a PDF directly and need easier layout flow, use `RadFixedDocumentEditor`.
If exact XY placement is mandatory, use `FixedContentEditor`.

For Word-to-PDF conversion scenarios, RadWordsProcessing exports PDF based on its supported feature matrix. If a source document uses unsupported or partially supported features, visual differences can appear in exported PDF. Review [Formats and Conversion](https://www.telerik.com/document-processing-libraries/documentation/libraries/radwordsprocessing/formats-and-conversion/formats-and-conversion) for details.

## See Also

* [RadWordsProcessing Overview](https://www.telerik.com/document-processing-libraries/documentation/libraries/radwordsprocessing/overview)
* [RadPdfProcessing Overview](https://www.telerik.com/document-processing-libraries/documentation/libraries/radpdfprocessing/overview)
* [RadFlowDocumentEditor](https://www.telerik.com/document-processing-libraries/documentation/libraries/radwordsprocessing/editing/radflowdocumenteditor)
* [RadFixedDocumentEditor](https://www.telerik.com/document-processing-libraries/documentation/libraries/radpdfprocessing/editing/radfixeddocumenteditor)
* [FixedContentEditor](https://www.telerik.com/document-processing-libraries/documentation/libraries/radpdfprocessing/editing/fixedcontenteditor)
* [RadWordsProcessing Formats and Conversion](https://www.telerik.com/document-processing-libraries/documentation/libraries/radwordsprocessing/formats-and-conversion/formats-and-conversion)