· tutorials · 5 min read

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

Explore six powerful Python libraries for PDF generation: FPDF, ReportLab, Pyppeteer, Python-Wkhtmltopdf, PDFKit, and WeasyPrint. Learn their key features, installation, and usage to choose the best tool for your PDF creation needs.

Explore six powerful Python libraries for PDF generation: FPDF, ReportLab, Pyppeteer, Python-Wkhtmltopdf, PDFKit, and WeasyPrint. Learn their key features, installation, and usage to choose the best tool for your PDF creation needs.

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.

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

Terminal window
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

Terminal window
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

Terminal window
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

Terminal window
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

Terminal window
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

Terminal window
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:

FeatureReportLabPyppeteerPDFKitFPDFPython-WkhtmltopdfWeasyPrint
Primary Use CaseComplex PDF layouts, graphics, and chartsWeb scraping, browser automationHTML to PDF conversionSimple PDF generationHTML to PDF conversionHTML/CSS to PDF conversion
CapabilitiesHigh-quality PDFs, dynamic contentRenders PDFs from web pagesConverts HTML to PDFBasic PDF features, customizableConverts HTML with accurate renderingExcellent CSS support, precise rendering
Syntax ComplexityModerate to complexRequires async programming knowledgeSimple and intuitiveVery simple, beginner-friendlySimple, acts as a wrapperModerate, requires CSS knowledge
Supported PlatformsCross-platformCross-platformCross-platform (needs wkhtmltopdf)Cross-platformCross-platform (needs wkhtmltopdf)Cross-platform
Installation ComplexityRequires only Python and the libraryRequires Node.js and possibly browser binariesRequires wkhtmltopdf installationJust Python and FPDFRequires wkhtmltopdf installationRequires Python and some system libraries
Unique FeaturesExtensive customization, powerful layoutsFull browser automationStraightforward API, robust renderingPure Python, no external dependenciesLeverages wkhtmltopdf for web renderingStrong CSS support, no browser required

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.

For those looking for a more comprehensive solution, Templated offers powerful PDF generation API and conversion tools that can be easily integrated into your workflow.

Sign up for a free account today and streamline your PDF generation process!

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