How to generate a PDF from an HTML / CSS (including images) source in Python?

Question

Let's say I've got an HTML / CSS page with some images in it, and I wanted to generate a PDF from that source in Python - possible?

Answer 1

http://www.xhtml2pdf.com/

install was a little quirky for me, but otherwise it worked fine.

Answer 2

You can do something like this using Pisa:

def receipt(request, id):
    import ho.pisa as pisa
    from django.template.loader import render_to_string
    from datetime import datetime

    r = get_or_404(id, request.affiliate)    
    now = datetime.now()
    contents = render_to_string('home/reservations/receipt.html', {
        'reservation': r,
        'today': now
    })
    filename = now.strftime('%Y-%m-%d') + '.pdf'
    response = HttpResponse(mimetype='application/pdf')
    response['Content-Disposition'] = 'attachment; filename=' + filename
    pdf = pisa.CreatePDF(contents, response)
    if pdf.err:
        message(request, 'Unable to generate the receipt.')
        return HttpResponseRedirect(reverse('view_reservation', args=[r.id]))    
    else:
        return response

(This is a Django view that generates a receipt but obviously you can use Pisa in whatever setting)

You're going to have to tweak the HTML to make it play as nice as possible with Pisa, though.