ReportLab PDF Generation

Overview

ReportLab is a powerful Python library for programmatic PDF generation. Create anything from simple documents to complex reports with tables, charts, images, and interactive forms.

Two main approaches:

Canvas API (low-level): Direct drawing with coordinate-based positioning - use for precise layouts
Platypus (high-level): Flowing document layout with automatic page breaks - use for multi-page documents

Core capabilities:

Text with rich formatting and custom fonts
Tables with complex styling and cell spanning
Charts (bar, line, pie, area, scatter)
Barcodes and QR codes (Code128, EAN, QR, etc.)
Images with transparency
PDF features (links, bookmarks, forms, encryption)

Choosing the Right Approach

Use Canvas API when:

Creating labels, business cards, certificates
Precise positioning is critical (x, y coordinates)
Single-page documents or simple layouts
Drawing graphics, shapes, and custom designs
Adding barcodes or QR codes at specific locations

Use Platypus when:

Creating multi-page documents (reports, articles, books)
Content should flow automatically across pages
Need headers/footers that repeat on each page
Working with paragraphs that can split across pages
Building complex documents with table of contents

Use Both when:

Complex reports need both flowing content AND precise positioning
Adding headers/footers to Platypus documents (use
```
onPage
```
callback with Canvas)
Embedding custom graphics (Canvas) within flowing documents (Platypus)

Quick Start Examples

Simple Canvas Document

python

from reportlab.pdfgen import canvas
from reportlab.lib.pagesizes import letter
from reportlab.lib.units import inch

c = canvas.Canvas("output.pdf", pagesize=letter)
width, height = letter

# Draw text
c.setFont("Helvetica-Bold", 24)
c.drawString(inch, height - inch, "Hello ReportLab!")

# Draw a rectangle
c.setFillColorRGB(0.2, 0.4, 0.8)
c.rect(inch, 5*inch, 4*inch, 2*inch, fill=1)

# Save
c.showPage()
c.save()

Simple Platypus Document

python

from reportlab.lib.pagesizes import letter
from reportlab.platypus import SimpleDocTemplate, Paragraph, Spacer
from reportlab.lib.styles import getSampleStyleSheet
from reportlab.lib.units import inch

doc = SimpleDocTemplate("output.pdf", pagesize=letter)
story = []
styles = getSampleStyleSheet()

# Add content
story.append(Paragraph("Document Title", styles['Title']))
story.append(Spacer(1, 0.2*inch))
story.append(Paragraph("This is body text with <b>bold</b> and <i>italic</i>.", styles['BodyText']))

# Build PDF
doc.build(story)

Common Tasks

Creating Tables

Tables work with both Canvas (via Drawing) and Platypus (as Flowables):

python

from reportlab.platypus import Table, TableStyle
from reportlab.lib import colors
from reportlab.lib.units import inch

# Define data
data = [
    ['Product', 'Q1', 'Q2', 'Q3', 'Q4'],
    ['Widget A', '100', '150', '130', '180'],
    ['Widget B', '80', '120', '110', '160'],
]

# Create table
table = Table(data, colWidths=[2*inch, 1*inch, 1*inch, 1*inch, 1*inch])

# Apply styling
style = TableStyle([
    # Header row
    ('BACKGROUND', (0, 0), (-1, 0), colors.darkblue),
    ('TEXTCOLOR', (0, 0), (-1, 0), colors.whitesmoke),
    ('FONTNAME', (0, 0), (-1, 0), 'Helvetica-Bold'),
    ('ALIGN', (0, 0), (-1, -1), 'CENTER'),

    # Data rows
    ('ROWBACKGROUNDS', (0, 1), (-1, -1), [colors.white, colors.lightgrey]),
    ('GRID', (0, 0), (-1, -1), 1, colors.black),
])

table.setStyle(style)

# Add to Platypus story
story.append(table)

# Or draw on Canvas
table.wrapOn(c, width, height)
table.drawOn(c, x, y)

Detailed table reference: See

references/tables_reference.md

for cell spanning, borders, alignment, and advanced styling.

Creating Charts

Charts use the graphics framework and can be added to both Canvas and Platypus:

python

from reportlab.graphics.shapes import Drawing
from reportlab.graphics.charts.barcharts import VerticalBarChart
from reportlab.lib import colors

# Create drawing
drawing = Drawing(400, 200)

# Create chart
chart = VerticalBarChart()
chart.x = 50
chart.y = 50
chart.width = 300
chart.height = 125

# Set data
chart.data = [[100, 150, 130, 180, 140]]
chart.categoryAxis.categoryNames = ['Q1', 'Q2', 'Q3', 'Q4', 'Q5']

# Style
chart.bars[0].fillColor = colors.blue
chart.valueAxis.valueMin = 0
chart.valueAxis.valueMax = 200

# Add to drawing
drawing.add(chart)

# Use in Platypus
story.append(drawing)

# Or render directly to PDF
from reportlab.graphics import renderPDF
renderPDF.drawToFile(drawing, 'chart.pdf', 'Chart Title')

Available chart types: Bar (vertical/horizontal), Line, Pie, Area, Scatter Detailed charts reference: See

references/charts_reference.md

for all chart types, styling, legends, and customization.

Adding Barcodes and QR Codes

python

from reportlab.graphics.barcode import code128
from reportlab.graphics.barcode.qr import QrCodeWidget
from reportlab.graphics.shapes import Drawing
from reportlab.graphics import renderPDF

# Code128 barcode (general purpose)
barcode = code128.Code128("ABC123456789", barHeight=0.5*inch)

# On Canvas
barcode.drawOn(c, x, y)

# QR Code
qr = QrCodeWidget("https://example.com")
qr.barWidth = 2*inch
qr.barHeight = 2*inch

# Wrap in Drawing for Platypus
d = Drawing()
d.add(qr)
story.append(d)

Supported formats: Code128, Code39, EAN-13, EAN-8, UPC-A, ISBN, QR, Data Matrix, and 20+ more Detailed barcode reference: See

references/barcodes_reference.md

for all formats and usage examples.

Working with Text and Fonts

python

from reportlab.platypus import Paragraph
from reportlab.lib.styles import ParagraphStyle
from reportlab.lib.enums import TA_JUSTIFY

# Create custom style
custom_style = ParagraphStyle(
    'CustomStyle',
    fontSize=12,
    leading=14,           # Line spacing
    alignment=TA_JUSTIFY,
    spaceAfter=10,
    textColor=colors.black,
)

# Paragraph with inline formatting
text = """
This paragraph has <b>bold</b>, <i>italic</i>, and <u>underlined</u> text.
You can also use <font color="blue">colors</font> and <font size="14">different sizes</font>.
Chemical formula: H<sub>2</sub>O, Einstein: E=mc<sup>2</sup>
"""

para = Paragraph(text, custom_style)
story.append(para)

Using custom fonts:

python

from reportlab.pdfbase import pdfmetrics
from reportlab.pdfbase.ttfonts import TTFont

# Register TrueType font
pdfmetrics.registerFont(TTFont('CustomFont', 'CustomFont.ttf'))

# Use in Canvas
c.setFont('CustomFont', 12)

# Use in Paragraph style
style = ParagraphStyle('Custom', fontName='CustomFont', fontSize=12)

Detailed text reference: See

references/text_and_fonts.md

for paragraph styles, font families, Asian languages, Greek letters, and formatting.

Adding Images

python

from reportlab.platypus import Image
from reportlab.lib.units import inch

# In Platypus
img = Image('photo.jpg', width=4*inch, height=3*inch)
story.append(img)

# Maintain aspect ratio
img = Image('photo.jpg', width=4*inch, height=3*inch, kind='proportional')

# In Canvas
c.drawImage('photo.jpg', x, y, width=4*inch, height=3*inch)

# With transparency (mask white background)
c.drawImage('logo.png', x, y, mask=[255,255,255,255,255,255])

Creating Forms

python

from reportlab.pdfgen import canvas
from reportlab.lib.colors import black, white, lightgrey

c = canvas.Canvas("form.pdf")

# Text field
c.acroForm.textfield(
    name="name",
    tooltip="Enter your name",
    x=100, y=700,
    width=200, height=20,
    borderColor=black,
    fillColor=lightgrey,
    forceBorder=True
)

# Checkbox
c.acroForm.checkbox(
    name="agree",
    x=100, y=650,
    size=20,
    buttonStyle='check',
    checked=False
)

# Dropdown
c.acroForm.choice(
    name="country",
    x=100, y=600,
    width=150, height=20,
    options=[("United States", "US"), ("Canada", "CA")],
    forceBorder=True
)

c.save()

Detailed PDF features reference: See

references/pdf_features.md

for forms, links, bookmarks, encryption, and metadata.

Headers and Footers

For Platypus documents, use page callbacks:

python

from reportlab.platypus import BaseDocTemplate, PageTemplate, Frame

def add_header_footer(canvas, doc):
    """Called on each page"""
    canvas.saveState()

    # Header
    canvas.setFont('Helvetica', 9)
    canvas.drawString(inch, height - 0.5*inch, "Document Title")

    # Footer
    canvas.drawRightString(width - inch, 0.5*inch, f"Page {doc.page}")

    canvas.restoreState()

# Set up document
doc = BaseDocTemplate("output.pdf")
frame = Frame(doc.leftMargin, doc.bottomMargin, doc.width, doc.height, id='normal')
template = PageTemplate(id='normal', frames=[frame], onPage=add_header_footer)
doc.addPageTemplates([template])

# Build with story
doc.build(story)

Helper Scripts

This skill includes helper scripts for common tasks:

Quick Document Generator

Use

scripts/quick_document.py

for rapid document creation:

python

from scripts.quick_document import create_simple_document, create_styled_table

# Simple document from content blocks
content = [
    {'type': 'heading', 'content': 'Introduction'},
    {'type': 'paragraph', 'content': 'Your text here...'},
    {'type': 'bullet', 'content': 'Bullet point'},
]

create_simple_document("output.pdf", "My Document", content_blocks=content)

# Styled tables with presets
data = [['Header1', 'Header2'], ['Data1', 'Data2']]
table = create_styled_table(data, style_name='striped')  # 'default', 'striped', 'minimal', 'report'

Template Examples

Complete working examples in

assets/

Invoice Template

assets/invoice_template.py

- Professional invoice with:

Company and client information
Itemized table with calculations
Tax and totals
Terms and notes
Logo placement

python

from assets.invoice_template import create_invoice

create_invoice(
    filename="invoice.pdf",
    invoice_number="INV-2024-001",
    invoice_date="January 15, 2024",
    due_date="February 15, 2024",
    company_info={'name': 'Acme Corp', 'address': '...', 'phone': '...', 'email': '...'},
    client_info={'name': 'Client Name', ...},
    items=[
        {'description': 'Service', 'quantity': 1, 'unit_price': 500.00},
        ...
    ],
    tax_rate=0.08,
    notes="Thank you for your business!",
)

Report Template

assets/report_template.py

- Multi-page business report with:

Cover page
Table of contents
Multiple sections with subsections
Charts and tables
Headers and footers

python

from assets.report_template import create_report

report_data = {
    'title': 'Quarterly Report',
    'subtitle': 'Q4 2023',
    'author': 'Analytics Team',
    'sections': [
        {
            'title': 'Executive Summary',
            'content': 'Report content...',
            'table_data': {...},
            'chart_data': {...}
        },
        ...
    ]
}

create_report("report.pdf", report_data)

Reference Documentation

Comprehensive API references organized by feature:

references/canvas_api.md
- Low-level Canvas: drawing primitives, coordinates, transformations, state management, images, paths
references/platypus_guide.md
- High-level Platypus: document templates, frames, flowables, page layouts, TOC
references/text_and_fonts.md
- Text formatting: paragraph styles, inline markup, custom fonts, Asian languages, bullets, sequences
references/tables_reference.md
- Tables: creation, styling, cell spanning, borders, alignment, colors, gradients
references/charts_reference.md
- Charts: all chart types, data handling, axes, legends, colors, rendering
references/barcodes_reference.md
- Barcodes: Code128, QR codes, EAN, UPC, postal codes, and 20+ formats
references/pdf_features.md
- PDF features: links, bookmarks, forms, encryption, metadata, page transitions

Best Practices

Coordinate System (Canvas)

Origin (0, 0) is lower-left corner (not top-left)
Y-axis points upward
Units are in points (72 points = 1 inch)
Always specify page size explicitly

python

from reportlab.lib.pagesizes import letter
from reportlab.lib.units import inch

width, height = letter
margin = inch

# Top of page
y_top = height - margin

# Bottom of page
y_bottom = margin

Choosing Page Size

python

from reportlab.lib.pagesizes import letter, A4, landscape

# US Letter (8.5" x 11")
pagesize=letter

# ISO A4 (210mm x 297mm)
pagesize=A4

# Landscape
pagesize=landscape(letter)

# Custom
pagesize=(6*inch, 9*inch)

Performance Tips

Use
drawImage()
over
drawInlineImage()
- caches images for reuse

Enable compression for large files:

canvas.Canvas("file.pdf", pageCompression=1)

Reuse styles - create once, use throughout document
Use Forms/XObjects for repeated graphics

Common Patterns

Centering text on Canvas:

python

text = "Centered Text"
text_width = c.stringWidth(text, "Helvetica", 12)
x = (width - text_width) / 2
c.drawString(x, y, text)

# Or use built-in
c.drawCentredString(width/2, y, text)

Page breaks in Platypus:

python

from reportlab.platypus import PageBreak

story.append(PageBreak())

Keep content together (no split):

python

from reportlab.platypus import KeepTogether

story.append(KeepTogether([
    heading,
    paragraph1,
    paragraph2,
]))

Alternate row colors:

python

style = TableStyle([
    ('ROWBACKGROUNDS', (0, 1), (-1, -1), [colors.white, colors.lightgrey]),
])

Troubleshooting

Text overlaps or disappears:

Check Y-coordinates - remember origin is bottom-left
Ensure text fits within page bounds
Verify
```
leading
```
(line spacing) is greater than
```
fontSize
```

Table doesn't fit on page:

Reduce column widths
Decrease font size
Use landscape orientation
Enable table splitting with
```
repeatRows
```

Barcode not scanning:

Increase
```
barHeight
```
(try 0.5 inch minimum)
Set
```
quiet=1
```
for quiet zones
Test print quality (300+ DPI recommended)
Validate data format for barcode type

Font not found:

Register TrueType fonts with
```
pdfmetrics.registerFont()
```
Use font family name exactly as registered
Check font file path is correct

Images have white background:

Use
```
mask
```
parameter to make white transparent
Provide RGB range to mask:
```
mask=[255,255,255,255,255,255]
```
Or use PNG with alpha channel

Example Workflows

Creating an Invoice

Start with invoice template from
```
assets/invoice_template.py
```
Customize company info, logo path
Add items with descriptions, quantities, prices
Set tax rate if applicable
Add notes and payment terms
Generate PDF

Creating a Report

Start with report template from
```
assets/report_template.py
```
Define sections with titles and content
Add tables for data using
```
create_styled_table()
```
Add charts using graphics framework
Build with
```
doc.multiBuild(story)
```
for TOC

Creating a Certificate

Use Canvas API for precise positioning
Load custom fonts for elegant typography
Add border graphics or image background
Position text elements (name, date, achievement)
Optional: Add QR code for verification

Creating Labels with Barcodes

Use Canvas with custom page size (label dimensions)
Calculate grid positions for multiple labels per page
Draw label content (text, images)
Add barcode at specific position
Use
```
showPage()
```
between labels or grids

Installation

bash

uv pip install reportlab

# For image support
uv pip install pillow

# For charts
uv pip install reportlab[renderPM]

# For barcode support (included in reportlab)
# QR codes require: uv pip install qrcode

When to Use This Skill

This skill should be used when:

Generating PDF documents programmatically
Creating invoices, receipts, or billing documents
Building reports with tables and charts
Generating certificates, badges, or credentials
Creating shipping labels or product labels with barcodes
Designing forms or fillable PDFs
Producing multi-page documents with consistent formatting
Converting data to PDF format for archival or distribution
Creating custom layouts that require precise positioning

This skill provides comprehensive guidance for all ReportLab capabilities, from simple documents to complex multi-page reports with charts, tables, and interactive elements.

reportlab

NPX Install

Tags

SKILL.md Content

ReportLab PDF Generation

Overview

Choosing the Right Approach

Use Canvas API when:

Use Platypus when:

Use Both when:

Quick Start Examples

Simple Canvas Document

Simple Platypus Document

Common Tasks

Creating Tables

Creating Charts

Adding Barcodes and QR Codes

Working with Text and Fonts

Adding Images

Creating Forms

Headers and Footers

Helper Scripts

Quick Document Generator

Template Examples

Invoice Template

Report Template

Reference Documentation

Best Practices

Coordinate System (Canvas)

Choosing Page Size

Performance Tips

Common Patterns

Troubleshooting

Example Workflows

Creating an Invoice

Creating a Report

Creating a Certificate

Creating Labels with Barcodes

Installation

When to Use This Skill