技术老小子
Python PDF Generation Practical Guide: fpdf Library Makes Document Creation Simple
2025-11-11
Python
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目录

Python PDF Generation Practical Guide: fpdf Library Makes Document Creation Simple
🔍 Problem Analysis
Why Choose fpdf?
💡 Solution
🚀 Environment Setup
🎨 Basic Usage Pattern
🔧 Code Practice
🧾 Tables and Multi-Data Source Integration
Complete Case
🎯 Conclusion

Python PDF Generation Practical Guide: fpdf Library Makes Document Creation Simple

In daily Python development, we frequently encounter scenarios where PDF document generation is required: automated reports, data exports, invoice generation, certificate creation, etc. While there are many PDF generation libraries available, for Windows developers, the fpdf library has become the preferred solution due to its lightweight and easy-to-use characteristics.

This article will guide you from zero to mastering the fpdf library through practical cases, solving common problems in Python PDF generation. Whether you want to generate simple text reports or create complex documents containing charts and tables, this article can provide you with complete solutions.

🔍 Problem Analysis

Why Choose fpdf?

In the Python PDF generation field, common libraries include:

  • reportlab: Powerful but steep learning curve
  • weasyprint: Many dependencies, complex configuration in Windows environment
  • fpdf: Pure Python implementation, lightweight, concise API

Core advantages of fpdf:

  • ✅ Pure Python implementation, no additional dependencies required
  • ✅ Simple API design, quick to learn
  • ✅ Supports Chinese fonts
  • ✅ Low memory usage, excellent performance

💡 Solution

🚀 Environment Setup

First install the fpdf library:

Bash
pip install fpdf2

Note: It's recommended to use fpdf2 instead of the original fpdf, as fpdf2 has fixed many bugs and added new features.

🎨 Basic Usage Pattern

Basic fpdf usage workflow:

Python
from fpdf import FPDF
from fpdf.enums import XPos, YPos

pdf = FPDF()
pdf.add_page()

# Add SimSun font, need to provide a font alias, e.g., SimSun
pdf.add_font('SimSun', '', r'C:\Windows\Fonts\Dengb.ttf')

# Set font to the newly added SimSun
pdf.set_font('SimSun', size=12)

pdf.cell(200, 10, 'Hello, World', new_x=XPos.LMARGIN, new_y=YPos.NEXT)

pdf.output('output.pdf')

image.png

🔧 Code Practice

🧾 Tables and Multi-Data Source Integration

Practical scenarios like web scraping, database data export to structured PDF reports. Example:

Python
from fpdf import FPDF

data = [
    ['Name', 'Department', 'Score'],
    ['John', 'Development', '88'],
    ['Jane', 'Testing', '92'],
]

pdf = FPDF()
pdf.add_page()

# Add font file, remember this is the absolute path of the font, confirm the file exists
pdf.add_font('SimSun', '', r'C:\Windows\Fonts\Dengb.ttf')

# Set font, call set_font first to activate the font
pdf.set_font('SimSun', size=12)

for row in data:
    for item in row:
        pdf.cell(40, 10, item, border=1)
    pdf.ln()

pdf.output('out_table.pdf')

image.png

Experience tip: Flexibly controlling cell width can make PDF tables adapt to any project requirements.

Complete Case

Python

# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
from fpdf import FPDF
from fpdf.enums import XPos, YPos
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import numpy as np
from datetime import datetime, timedelta
import os
import tempfile

# Set Chinese font support
plt.rcParams['font.sans-serif'] = ['SimHei', 'DejaVu Sans']  # Used to display Chinese labels normally
plt.rcParams['axes.unicode_minus'] = False  # Used to display negative signs normally

class ManufacturingReportPDF(FPDF):
    """Manufacturing Report PDF Generator"""

    def __init__(self):
        super().__init__()
        self.set_auto_page_break(auto=True, margin=15)
        # Add Chinese font support
        self.add_font('SimHei', '', 'C:/Windows/Fonts/Dengb.ttf')
        self.add_font('SimHei', 'B', 'C:/Windows/Fonts/Dengb.ttf')

    def header(self):
        """Header"""
        self.set_font('SimHei', 'B', 16)
        self.cell(0, 10, 'Manufacturing Production Report', new_x=XPos.LMARGIN, new_y=YPos.NEXT, align='C')
        self.ln(10)

    def footer(self):
        """Footer"""
        self.set_y(-15)
        self.set_font('SimHei', '', 8)
        self.cell(0, 10, f'Page {self.page_no()}', new_x=XPos.RIGHT, new_y=YPos.TOP, align='C')

    def add_title_section(self, title):
        """Add title section"""
        self.set_font('SimHei', 'B', 14)
        self.cell(0, 10, title, new_x=XPos.LMARGIN, new_y=YPos.NEXT, align='L')
        self.ln(5)

    def add_production_summary(self, production_data):
        """Add production summary"""
        self.add_title_section('Production Summary')

        # Basic information
        self.set_font('SimHei', '', 10)
        self.cell(60, 8, 'Report Date:', new_x=XPos.RIGHT, new_y=YPos.TOP, align='L')
        self.cell(60, 8, production_data['report_date'], new_x=XPos.LMARGIN, new_y=YPos.NEXT, align='L')

        self.cell(60, 8, 'Production Line:', new_x=XPos.RIGHT, new_y=YPos.TOP, align='L')
        self.cell(60, 8, production_data['production_line'], new_x=XPos.LMARGIN, new_y=YPos.NEXT, align='L')

        self.cell(60, 8, 'Shift:', new_x=XPos.RIGHT, new_y=YPos.TOP, align='L')
        self.cell(60, 8, production_data['shift'], new_x=XPos.LMARGIN, new_y=YPos.NEXT, align='L')

        self.ln(5)

        # Production metrics table
        self.set_font('SimHei', 'B', 10)
        self.cell(60, 8, 'Metric Item', border=1, new_x=XPos.RIGHT, new_y=YPos.TOP, align='C')
        self.cell(40, 8, 'Target', border=1, new_x=XPos.RIGHT, new_y=YPos.TOP, align='C')
        self.cell(40, 8, 'Actual', border=1, new_x=XPos.RIGHT, new_y=YPos.TOP, align='C')
        self.cell(40, 8, 'Achievement', border=1, new_x=XPos.LMARGIN, new_y=YPos.NEXT, align='C')

        self.set_font('SimHei', '', 10)
        for metric in production_data['metrics']:
            self.cell(60, 8, metric['name'], border=1, new_x=XPos.RIGHT, new_y=YPos.TOP, align='L')
            self.cell(40, 8, str(metric['target']), border=1, new_x=XPos.RIGHT, new_y=YPos.TOP, align='C')
            self.cell(40, 8, str(metric['actual']), border=1, new_x=XPos.RIGHT, new_y=YPos.TOP, align='C')
            achievement = f"{(metric['actual'] / metric['target'] * 100):.1f}%"
            self.cell(40, 8, achievement, border=1, new_x=XPos.LMARGIN, new_y=YPos.NEXT, align='C')

        self.ln(10)

    def add_quality_report(self, quality_data):
        """Add quality report"""
        self.add_title_section('Quality Control Report')

        # Quality inspection statistics
        self.set_font('SimHei', '', 10)
        self.cell(60, 8, 'Total Inspected:', new_x=XPos.RIGHT, new_y=YPos.TOP, align='L')
        self.cell(60, 8, str(quality_data['total_inspected']), new_x=XPos.LMARGIN, new_y=YPos.NEXT, align='L')

        self.cell(60, 8, 'Defective Products:', new_x=XPos.RIGHT, new_y=YPos.TOP, align='L')
        self.cell(60, 8, str(quality_data['defective']), new_x=XPos.LMARGIN, new_y=YPos.NEXT, align='L')

        self.cell(60, 8, 'Pass Rate:', new_x=XPos.RIGHT, new_y=YPos.TOP, align='L')
        pass_rate = (quality_data['total_inspected'] - quality_data['defective']) / quality_data['total_inspected'] * 100
        self.cell(60, 8, f"{pass_rate:.2f}%", new_x=XPos.LMARGIN, new_y=YPos.NEXT, align='L')

        self.ln(5)

        # Defect type statistics
        self.set_font('SimHei', 'B', 10)
        self.cell(80, 8, 'Defect Type', border=1, new_x=XPos.RIGHT, new_y=YPos.TOP, align='C')
        self.cell(40, 8, 'Count', border=1, new_x=XPos.RIGHT, new_y=YPos.TOP, align='C')
        self.cell(40, 8, 'Percentage', border=1, new_x=XPos.LMARGIN, new_y=YPos.NEXT, align='C')

        self.set_font('SimHei', '', 10)
        for defect in quality_data['defect_types']:
            self.cell(80, 8, defect['type'], border=1, new_x=XPos.RIGHT, new_y=YPos.TOP, align='L')
            self.cell(40, 8, str(defect['count']), border=1, new_x=XPos.RIGHT, new_y=YPos.TOP, align='C')
            percentage = f"{(defect['count'] / quality_data['defective'] * 100):.1f}%"
            self.cell(40, 8, percentage, border=1, new_x=XPos.LMARGIN, new_y=YPos.NEXT, align='C')

        self.ln(10)

    def add_equipment_status(self, equipment_data):
        """Add equipment status report"""
        self.add_title_section('Equipment Status Report')

        # Equipment status table
        self.set_font('SimHei', 'B', 10)
        self.cell(50, 8, 'Equipment Name', border=1, new_x=XPos.RIGHT, new_y=YPos.TOP, align='C')
        self.cell(30, 8, 'Status', border=1, new_x=XPos.RIGHT, new_y=YPos.TOP, align='C')
        self.cell(40, 8, 'Uptime (%)', border=1, new_x=XPos.RIGHT, new_y=YPos.TOP, align='C')
        self.cell(50, 8, 'Last Maintenance', border=1, new_x=XPos.LMARGIN, new_y=YPos.NEXT, align='C')

        self.set_font('SimHei', '', 10)
        for equipment in equipment_data:
            self.cell(50, 8, equipment['name'], border=1, new_x=XPos.RIGHT, new_y=YPos.TOP, align='L')

            # Status display - use color differentiation
            if equipment['status'] == 'Running':
                self.set_text_color(0, 128, 0)  # Green
            elif equipment['status'] == 'Maintenance':
                self.set_text_color(255, 165, 0)  # Orange
            else:
                self.set_text_color(255, 0, 0)  # Red

            self.cell(30, 8, equipment['status'], border=1, new_x=XPos.RIGHT, new_y=YPos.TOP, align='C')
            self.set_text_color(0, 0, 0)  # Reset to black

            self.cell(40, 8, f"{equipment['uptime']:.1f}%", border=1, new_x=XPos.RIGHT, new_y=YPos.TOP, align='C')
            self.cell(50, 8, equipment['last_maintenance'], border=1, new_x=XPos.LMARGIN, new_y=YPos.NEXT, align='C')

        self.ln(10)

    def add_production_chart(self, hourly_data):
        """Add production chart"""
        # Create temporary file to store chart
        with tempfile.NamedTemporaryFile(suffix='.png', delete=False) as tmp:
            chart_path = tmp.name

        # Generate chart
        fig, (ax1, ax2) = plt.subplots(2, 1, figsize=(10, 8))

        # Hourly production chart
        hours = [f'{i:02d}:00' for i in range(len(hourly_data['production']))]
        ax1.plot(range(len(hours)), hourly_data['production'], 'b-', marker='o', label='Production', linewidth=2)
        ax1.axhline(y=np.mean(hourly_data['production']), color='r', linestyle='--', label='Average')
        ax1.set_xlabel('Time')
        ax1.set_ylabel('Production (units)')
        ax1.set_title('Hourly Production Statistics')
        ax1.legend()
        ax1.grid(True, alpha=0.3)
        ax1.set_xticks(range(len(hours)))
        ax1.set_xticklabels(hours, rotation=45)

        # Equipment efficiency chart
        ax2.plot(range(len(hours)), hourly_data['efficiency'], 'g-', marker='s', label='Efficiency', linewidth=2)
        ax2.axhline(y=85, color='r', linestyle='--', label='Target Efficiency (85%)')
        ax2.set_xlabel('Time')
        ax2.set_ylabel('Efficiency (%)')
        ax2.set_title('Equipment Efficiency Statistics')
        ax2.legend()
        ax2.grid(True, alpha=0.3)
        ax2.set_xticks(range(len(hours)))
        ax2.set_xticklabels(hours, rotation=45)

        plt.tight_layout()
        plt.savefig(chart_path, dpi=150, bbox_inches='tight')
        plt.close()

        # Add chart to PDF
        self.add_title_section('Production Chart Analysis')
        self.image(chart_path, x=10, y=None, w=180)

        # Clean up temporary file
        os.unlink(chart_path)

def generate_manufacturing_report():
    """Generate manufacturing report PDF"""

    # Simulate production data
    production_data = {
        'report_date': datetime.now().strftime('%Y-%m-%d'),
        'production_line': 'Line A - Component Assembly',
        'shift': 'Day Shift (06:00-14:00)',
        'metrics': [
            {'name': 'Production Quantity', 'target': 1200, 'actual': 1150},
            {'name': 'Cycle Time (minutes)', 'target': 5.0, 'actual': 5.2},
            {'name': 'Material Utilization (%)', 'target': 95, 'actual': 92},
            {'name': 'Energy Consumption (kWh)', 'target': 800, 'actual': 760}
        ]
    }

    quality_data = {
        'total_inspected': 1150,
        'defective': 23,
        'defect_types': [
            {'type': 'Dimensional Deviation', 'count': 12},
            {'type': 'Surface Defects', 'count': 6},
            {'type': 'Assembly Errors', 'count': 3},
            {'type': 'Material Defects', 'count': 2}
        ]
    }

    equipment_data = [
        {'name': 'CNC Machine #1', 'status': 'Running', 'uptime': 98.5, 'last_maintenance': '2024-01-15'},
        {'name': 'Assembly Robot #2', 'status': 'Running', 'uptime': 96.2, 'last_maintenance': '2024-01-10'},
        {'name': 'Conveyor Belt #3', 'status': 'Maintenance', 'uptime': 87.3, 'last_maintenance': '2024-01-20'},
        {'name': 'Quality Scanner #4', 'status': 'Running', 'uptime': 99.1, 'last_maintenance': '2024-01-12'}
    ]

    # Generate hourly data
    np.random.seed(42)  # Ensure reproducible results
    hourly_data = {
        'production': np.random.randint(140, 160, 8).tolist(),
        'efficiency': np.random.uniform(82, 95, 8).tolist()
    }


    # Generate PDF report
    pdf = ManufacturingReportPDF()
    pdf.add_page()

    # Add each section
    pdf.add_production_summary(production_data)
    pdf.add_quality_report(quality_data)
    pdf.add_equipment_status(equipment_data)
    pdf.add_production_chart(hourly_data)

    # Save PDF
    output_filename = f'Manufacturing_Production_Report_{datetime.now().strftime("%Y%m%d_%H%M%S")}.pdf'
    pdf.output(output_filename)
    print(f"Manufacturing report generated: {output_filename}")

    return output_filename


if __name__ == "__main__":
    # Generate report
    try:
        report_file = generate_manufacturing_report()
    except Exception as e:
        print(f"Error generating report: {e}")
        print("Tip: If font file doesn't exist, please ensure Chinese fonts are installed on the system, or modify the font path")

image.png

image.png

🎯 Conclusion

Through this practical guide, you have mastered the core skills of generating PDFs with fpdf in Python development. Reviewing the three key points:

  1. fpdf is simple and flexible, suitable for various scenarios from host computer data export to automated reporting
  2. Custom fonts, easy Chinese support, achieving high-quality typesetting
  3. Multi-element integration (text, tables, images), quick project implementation

Whether you are a beginner committed to improving programming skills or a project developer pursuing efficiency, you can directly apply the above methods. Welcome to leave comments for discussion. In the future, more practical tips based on Python development and best practices for host computer development will be brought to you!

本文作者:技术老小子

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