11
Fri, Oct
6 New Articles

TechTip: Creating PDF Files with PHP, Part I

Web Languages
Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times

Learn a free and easy way to create PDF files from within your PHP script.

 

Some time ago, I had a project in which I needed to create PDF files from within a PHP script. I checked php.net to find the functions needed for my project. I was very surprised to discover that PDF creation is not a free part of PHP but is maintained and controlled by pdflib.com.

 

I have no problem paying for things I need, but in the spirit of open source, I asked Miss Google if there were any alternatives and came across the FPDF Library at fpdf.org.

 

Before I go into the details, let me tell you that the project I was working on was a price-list-generation project that would generate hundreds of PDF files, and to this day I have not had any problems whatsoever.

What Is FPDF?

The Web site says, "FPDF is a PHP class which allows [you] to generate PDF files with pure PHP, that is to say without using the PDFlib library. F from FPDF stands for Free: you may use it for any kind of usage and modify it to suit your needs."

 

That was just what I needed, so I read the documentation (or enough to get me started), and off I went.

 

One new thing I had to learn was how to work with classes, which is something an old RPG programmer is not used to. I am not an expert, but in my brain, the class FPDF uses is like a virtual object you declare. You then add properties to it, and when you're done, you print it to your browser or to disk.

 

So with that knowledge in your pocket, let's hit the road and dig into the wonderful world of FPDF.

Download and Install

FPDF is very easy to install: no Web server changes, no php.ini changes. Just download and install it in your root directory somewhere, and then refer to it using an include statement in your PHP script. That's all!

 

Point your browser to fpdf.org and go the Download section. At the time of writing, the current version is 1.6. It comes in a zipped file that contains the documentation and the class files needed to create the PDF files.

 

Create a directory in your root directory called fpdf and copy fpdf.php and the directory named font into your new directory. Voila! You are now ready to start creating PDF files, so let's create one right away.

One PDF File Coming Up

Because I have limited space here, I will not go into a long explanation of all the features in FPDF. Instead, I'll show you a few examples just to get you started.

 

Let's first create a small working directory. In your root directory, create a directory called createPDF and, inside that, create a file called 1.php. Open it in your editor of choice and insert the following code:

 

<?php

 

//=====================================================================

//

// Mcpressonline - Creating PDF files with PHP – part one

//

//=====================================================================

 

include_once("../fpdf/fpdf.php"); // Include the class // Include the fpdf class

 

$pdf = new FPDF(); // (1)

$pdf->AddPage(); // (2)

$pdf->SetFont("Arial", "B", 10); //  (3)

$pdf->Cell(0,0, "My Aim Is True...",0); //  (4)

$pdf->Output(); //  (5)

 

?>

 

Save it and run it in your browser. A PDF file like the one in Figure 1 will show up.

 

082010Jorgensenpic1
Figure 1: You're off to a good start.

 

Here's what we did:

 

  1. Defined a Constructor and created a new PDF document. If you want to use landscape view or change the page size, this is the place. Default is in A4 portrait, and unit of measure is millimeter.
  2. Because the document is empty, we had to add a page in the document with AddPage, which can also be used to change page orientation or format.
  3. Set a font. This is mandatory. If not set, you'll get an error.
  4. Wrote some text.

 

Now, send the document to the browser. Here, you have various options. A common one is Output(name, dest), where dest is one of the following:

 

  • I—Send the file inline to the browser. The plug-in is used if available. The name given by name is used when one selects the "Save as" option on the link generating the PDF.
  • D—Send to the browser and force a file download with the name given by name.
  • F—Save to a local file with the name given by name (may include a path).
  • S—Return the document as a string. Name is ignored.

 

Not that hard, is it?

 

Now let's add a little more to the PDF file. Create a file called 2.php and enter the following:

 

<?php

 

//=========================================================================

//

// MC Press Online - Creating PDF files with PHP – part one

//

// Ex 2

//=========================================================================

 

include_once("../fpdf/fpdf.php"); // Include the class // Include the fpdf class

 

$pdf = new FPDF('L'); // (1)

$pdf->SetAuthor('Jan Jorgensen'); // (2)

$pdf->SetTitle('MC Press Online - Creating PDF files with PHP - part one'); // (3)

$pdf->SetSubject('Get the basics for a free and easy way to create PDF files from within your PHP script'); // (4)

$pdf->AddPage(); // (5)

$pdf->SetTextColor(0,0,255); // (7)

$pdf->SetFont('Arial','U'); // (8)

$pdf->Write(0, "My Aim Is True...","http://www.elviscostello.com"); // Write something (9)

$pdf->Output(); // Create the PDF document (10)

 

?>

 

As you can see, I added a few more FPDF function calls. At 2,3, and 4, I added some document info. To see the info, click in the PDF document and select Document Properties. The following will be shown (mine is in Danish):

 

082010Jorgensenpic2

Figure 2: Moving right along! (Click image to enlarge.)

 

On 7, I changed the text color to blue; on 8, I changed the current font to underline; and on 9, I  added a link to the text so that, when you click it, you will be sent to the homepage of Elvis Costello.

 

I am sure you are getting the hang of it.

 

Now, we will do the following:

 

  1. Add a picture. The function is Image().
  2. Add some text in a specific place in the document and write out a text box. The functions are SetXY() and MultiCell().
  3. Set a default name and open a dialog box to save the PDF file.

 

Here is how this is done:

 

<?php

 

//=========================================================================

//

// MC Press Online - Creating PDF files with PHP – part one

//

// Ex 3

//=========================================================================

 

include_once("../fpdf/fpdf.php"); // Include the class

 

// Set some text

$textString =

"I Hope You're Happy Now

\n

He's a fine figure of a man and handsome too

With his eyes upon the secret places he'd like to undo

Still he knows who knows who and where and how

And I hope you're happy now

\n

He's got all the things you need and some that you will never

But you make him sound like frozen food, his love will last forever

Still he knows what you want and what you don't allow

And I hope you're happy now

\n

I hope that you're happy now like you're supposed to be

And I know that this will hurt you more than it hurts me

In his turquoise pajamas and motorcycle hat

I hope you're happy now because you'll soon put pay to that

I knew then what I know now I never loved you anyhow

And I hope you're happy now

\n

";

 

// Create the PDF document

$pdf = new FPDF('P');

$pdf->SetAuthor('Jan Jorgensen');

$pdf->SetTitle('MC Press Online - Creating PDF files with PHP - part one');

$pdf->SetSubject('Get the basics for a free and easy way to create PDF files from within your PHP script');

$pdf->AddPage();

 

// (2)

$pdf->SetXY(5,5);

$pdf->Image("images/trust.jpg");

 

// (3)

$pdf->SetXY(100,5);

$pdf->SetFont("Arial", "B", 15);

$pdf->SetTextColor(0,0,255);

$pdf->SetFont('','U');

$pdf->Write(0, "Elvis Costello - I Hope You're Happy Now","http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwGdB4Gj7Js");

 

// (4)

$pdf->SetXY(90,10);

$pdf->SetFont("Arial", "B", 10);

$pdf->SetTextColor(0,0,0);

$pdf->MultiCell(120,5,$textString,'1','C');

 

// (5)

$pdf->Output();

//$pdf->Output('ex3.pdf','D'); // (16)

 

?>

 

Here is what we did:

 

  1. Defined a long text section with some line breaks (\n).
  2. Placed the picture at 5mm from the top margin and 5mm from the left margin, and inserted a picture called trust.jpg in dir images.
  3. Placed the header and added a link.
  4. Used the MultiCell function to print the text with line breaks and a border.
  5. Set the default name to ex3.pdf and showed the dialog window (depending on how your browser is configured to handle PDF files, various things might happen).

 

You can download all the files and the directory structure used in this tip here.

Wrapping It All Up

I hope this TechTip has given you an idea of what you can do with FPDF.

 

In future TechTips, you will learn how to control overflow when printing from an MySQL table and how use templates by extending the fpdf class. But if you cannot wait, point your browser to the www.fpdf.org Web site and start learning it by yourself.

 

Till next time, happy PDFing.

Jan Jorgensen

Jan Jorgensen is one of the owners of www.reeft.dk, which specializes in mobile and i5 solutions. He works with RPG, HTML, JavaScript, Perl, and PHP. You can reach him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS

LATEST COMMENTS

Support MC Press Online

$

Book Reviews

Resource Center

  • SB Profound WC 5536 Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application. You can find Part 1 here. In Part 2 of our free Node.js Webinar Series, Brian May teaches you the different tooling options available for writing code, debugging, and using Git for version control. Brian will briefly discuss the different tools available, and demonstrate his preferred setup for Node development on IBM i or any platform. Attend this webinar to learn:

  • SB Profound WP 5539More than ever, there is a demand for IT to deliver innovation. Your IBM i has been an essential part of your business operations for years. However, your organization may struggle to maintain the current system and implement new projects. The thousands of customers we've worked with and surveyed state that expectations regarding the digital footprint and vision of the company are not aligned with the current IT environment.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT Generic IBM announced the E1080 servers using the latest Power10 processor in September 2021. The most powerful processor from IBM to date, Power10 is designed to handle the demands of doing business in today’s high-tech atmosphere, including running cloud applications, supporting big data, and managing AI workloads. But what does Power10 mean for your data center? In this recorded webinar, IBMers Dan Sundt and Dylan Boday join IBM Power Champion Tom Huntington for a discussion on why Power10 technology is the right strategic investment if you run IBM i, AIX, or Linux. In this action-packed hour, Tom will share trends from the IBM i and AIX user communities while Dan and Dylan dive into the tech specs for key hardware, including:

  • Magic MarkTRY the one package that solves all your document design and printing challenges on all your platforms. Produce bar code labels, electronic forms, ad hoc reports, and RFID tags – without programming! MarkMagic is the only document design and print solution that combines report writing, WYSIWYG label and forms design, and conditional printing in one integrated product. Make sure your data survives when catastrophe hits. Request your trial now!  Request Now.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericForms of ransomware has been around for over 30 years, and with more and more organizations suffering attacks each year, it continues to endure. What has made ransomware such a durable threat and what is the best way to combat it? In order to prevent ransomware, organizations must first understand how it works.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericIT security is a top priority for businesses around the world, but most IBM i pros don’t know where to begin—and most cybersecurity experts don’t know IBM i. In this session, Robin Tatam explores the business impact of lax IBM i security, the top vulnerabilities putting IBM i at risk, and the steps you can take to protect your organization. If you’re looking to avoid unexpected downtime or corrupted data, you don’t want to miss this session.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericCan you trust all of your users all of the time? A typical end user receives 16 malicious emails each month, but only 17 percent of these phishing campaigns are reported to IT. Once an attack is underway, most organizations won’t discover the breach until six months later. A staggering amount of damage can occur in that time. Despite these risks, 93 percent of organizations are leaving their IBM i systems vulnerable to cybercrime. In this on-demand webinar, IBM i security experts Robin Tatam and Sandi Moore will reveal:

  • FORTRA Disaster protection is vital to every business. Yet, it often consists of patched together procedures that are prone to error. From automatic backups to data encryption to media management, Robot automates the routine (yet often complex) tasks of iSeries backup and recovery, saving you time and money and making the process safer and more reliable. Automate your backups with the Robot Backup and Recovery Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAManaging messages on your IBM i can be more than a full-time job if you have to do it manually. Messages need a response and resources must be monitored—often over multiple systems and across platforms. How can you be sure you won’t miss important system events? Automate your message center with the Robot Message Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAThe thought of printing, distributing, and storing iSeries reports manually may reduce you to tears. Paper and labor costs associated with report generation can spiral out of control. Mountains of paper threaten to swamp your files. Robot automates report bursting, distribution, bundling, and archiving, and offers secure, selective online report viewing. Manage your reports with the Robot Report Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAFor over 30 years, Robot has been a leader in systems management for IBM i. With batch job creation and scheduling at its core, the Robot Job Scheduling Solution reduces the opportunity for human error and helps you maintain service levels, automating even the biggest, most complex runbooks. Manage your job schedule with the Robot Job Scheduling Solution. Key features include:

  • LANSA Business users want new applications now. Market and regulatory pressures require faster application updates and delivery into production. Your IBM i developers may be approaching retirement, and you see no sure way to fill their positions with experienced developers. In addition, you may be caught between maintaining your existing applications and the uncertainty of moving to something new.

  • LANSAWhen it comes to creating your business applications, there are hundreds of coding platforms and programming languages to choose from. These options range from very complex traditional programming languages to Low-Code platforms where sometimes no traditional coding experience is needed. Download our whitepaper, The Power of Writing Code in a Low-Code Solution, and:

  • LANSASupply Chain is becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable. From raw materials for manufacturing to food supply chains, the journey from source to production to delivery to consumers is marred with inefficiencies, manual processes, shortages, recalls, counterfeits, and scandals. In this webinar, we discuss how:

  • The MC Resource Centers bring you the widest selection of white papers, trial software, and on-demand webcasts for you to choose from. >> Review the list of White Papers, Trial Software or On-Demand Webcast at the MC Press Resource Center. >> Add the items to yru Cart and complet he checkout process and submit

  • Profound Logic Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application.

  • SB Profound WC 5536Join us for this hour-long webcast that will explore:

  • Fortra IT managers hoping to find new IBM i talent are discovering that the pool of experienced RPG programmers and operators or administrators with intimate knowledge of the operating system and the applications that run on it is small. This begs the question: How will you manage the platform that supports such a big part of your business? This guide offers strategies and software suggestions to help you plan IT staffing and resources and smooth the transition after your AS/400 talent retires. Read on to learn: