Generate PDFs in Python with 6 Popular Libraries (New in 2024)

Introduction

Python has become an indispensable tool for developers, enabling them to handle various tasks, from automation and testing to web development and data analysis. Its versatility extends to working with multiple data formats, including converting and generating files in different formats like PDF.

PDFs are a universally accepted format, ideal for sharing documents across different platforms and devices without worrying about compatibility issues. In this article, we’ll explore how to generate PDFs in Python using popular libraries like FPDF, ReportLab, Pyppeteer, and PDFKit, and we’ll highlight the key differences between them.

Note: If you’re specifically interested in generating PDFs from HTML, check out our detailed guide: Convert HTML to PDF with Python.

Popular Libraries for PDF Generation in Python

Python offers numerous libraries to work with PDFs. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most commonly used libraries for generating PDFs.

1. FPDF

FPDF (Free-PDF) is a straightforward library ported from PHP that allows you to generate PDFs. It offers essential features like page formatting, adding images, links, colors, and automatic line and page breaks. However, its HTML support is limited, requiring the use of HTMLMixin for more advanced HTML features.

Installation

pip install fpdf

Example Usage

from fpdf import FPDF, HTMLMixin

class MyFPDF(FPDF, HTMLMixin):
    pass

pdf = MyFPDF()
pdf.add_page()
with open("file.html", "r") as file:
    data = file.read()

pdf.write_html(data)
pdf.output('generated_pdf.pdf')

2. ReportLab

ReportLab is a powerful library for creating PDFs, offering extensive features for dynamic PDF generation, including support for vector graphics, charts, and tables. It’s available in both an open-source version and a commercial version, with the latter supporting Report Markup Language (RML) for even more functionality.

Installation

pip install reportlab

Example Usage

from reportlab.pdfgen import canvas

c = canvas.Canvas("reportlab_pdf.pdf")
c.drawString(100, 100, "Hello, World!")
c.showPage()
c.save()

3. Pyppeteer

Pyppeteer is an unofficial port of Puppeteer, a popular JavaScript tool for browser automation. It allows you to generate PDFs by rendering web pages using the Chrome or Chromium browser, making it ideal for tasks that require precise web page rendering.

Installation

pip install pyppeteer

Example Usage

import asyncio
from pyppeteer import launch

async def main():
    browser = await launch()
    page = await browser.newPage()
    await page.goto('file://path_to_html_file.html')
    await page.pdf({'path': 'pyppeteer_pdf.pdf'})
    await browser.close()

asyncio.get_event_loop().run_until_complete(main())

4. Python-Wkhtmltopdf

Python-Wkhtmltopdf is a wrapper for the wkhtmltopdf command-line tool, which converts HTML pages to PDFs. It’s easy to use and effective for generating PDFs that closely resemble their HTML sources.

Installation

pip install py3-wkhtmltopdf

Example Usage

from wkhtmltopdf import wkhtmltopdf

wkhtmltopdf(url='https://example.com', output_file='output.pdf')

5. PDFKit

PDFKit is another wrapper for wkhtmltopdf, providing a simple interface for converting HTML files, strings, or URLs into PDFs. It supports a range of features, including vector graphics, image embedding, and PDF security options like encryption.

Installation

pip install pdfkit

Example Usage

import pdfkit

pdfkit.from_file('file.html', 'output.pdf')

6. WeasyPrint

WeasyPrint is a visual rendering engine for HTML and CSS that can export to PDF. It’s known for its excellent CSS support and ability to generate PDFs from HTML/CSS without relying on a browser engine.

Installation

pip install weasyprint

Example Usage

from weasyprint import HTML

HTML('https://example.com').write_pdf('weasyprint_output.pdf')

Comparing the 6 Libraries for PDF Generation in Python

With so many options available, choosing the right library for your project can be challenging. Here’s a detailed comparison of the six libraries based on different criteria:

This comparison table provides a quick overview of the key differences between the libraries. Here are some additional insights:

1. ReportLab is ideal for projects requiring complex layouts and precise control over PDF elements. It’s powerful but has a steeper learning curve.

2. Pyppeteer is excellent for scenarios where you need to render web pages exactly as they appear in a browser, including JavaScript-rendered content.

3. PDFKit and Python-Wkhtmltopdf are great choices for straightforward HTML to PDF conversion, with PDFKit offering a slightly more user-friendly API.

4. FPDF is perfect for simple PDF generation tasks and situations where you want to avoid external dependencies.

5. WeasyPrint stands out for its strong CSS support, making it an excellent choice for projects where maintaining the exact layout and styling of web pages is crucial.

When choosing a library, consider factors such as the complexity of your PDF requirements, the importance of HTML/CSS fidelity, installation constraints, and your team’s familiarity with different programming paradigms.

Conclusion

This guide introduced five popular Python libraries for generating PDFs: FPDF, ReportLab, Pyppeteer, Python-Wkhtmltopdf, and PDFKit. Each library has its strengths and is suited to different tasks, whether you’re generating simple documents, converting HTML, or creating complex, dynamic PDFs.

Choosing the right library depends on your specific needs. If you’re looking for a robust tool with extensive features, ReportLab is a solid choice. For simple and quick conversions from HTML, PDFKit and Python-Wkhtmltopdf are great options. Pyppeteer is ideal for those who need precise rendering of web pages, and FPDF is perfect for straightforward PDF generation with no external dependencies.

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