PHP and FPDF: Generating PDF Files in PHP

In this tutorial, we will learn how to generate PDF files in PHP using the FPDF library. FPDF is a free and open-source PHP class that provides an easy way to create and manipulate PDF documents programmatically. By the end of this tutorial, you should be able to generate a simple PDF file with text, images, and basic styling.

Installing FPDF
Creating a Basic PDF
Adding Text to the PDF
Styling Text
Adding Images to the PDF
Generating and Saving the PDF

1. Installing FPDF

First, we must download and install the FPDF library. You can download it from the official website at www.fpdf.org or install it via Composer:

composer require setasign/fpdf

After downloading or installing the library, include it in your PHP script:

require 'path/to/fpdf.php';

Now you're ready to start creating PDF documents using FPDF!

2. Creating a Basic PDF

Create a new PHP file and include the FPDF library. Then, create a new instance of the FPDF class:

require 'path/to/fpdf.php'; $pdf = new FPDF();

Next, add a new page to the PDF document:

$pdf->AddPage();

Now, you can start adding content to the PDF document.

3. Adding Text to the PDF

To add text to the PDF, use the Cell() method:

$pdf->SetFont('Arial', '', 12); $pdf->Cell(0, 10, 'Hello World!', 0, 1);

The SetFont() method sets the font, style, and size of the text. The Cell() method takes the following parameters:

Width: Width of the cell
Height: Height of the cell
Text: The content of the cell
Border: Border type (0 for no border, 1 for a full border)
Next line: Where the cursor should move after the cell (0 for right, 1 for a new line)

4. Styling Text

You can style the text using the SetFont() method. The first parameter sets the font family, the second parameter sets the font style, and the third parameter sets the font size:

$pdf->SetFont('Arial', 'B', 14);

In this example, we set the font family to Arial, the font style to bold (B), and the font size to 14.

5. Adding Images to the PDF

To add an image to the PDF, use the Image() method:

$pdf->Image('path/to/image.jpg', 10, 30, 50, 50);

The Image() method takes the following parameters:

File: Path to the image file
X: X-coordinate of the upper-left corner of the image
Y: Y-coordinate of the upper-left corner of the image
Width: Width of the image
Height: Height of the image

6. Generating and Saving the PDF

Finally, generate the PDF and save it to a file or output it to the browser:

// Save the PDF to a file $pdf->Output('F', 'filename.pdf'); // Output the PDF to the browser $pdf->Output('I');

Now you should be able to generate a basic PDF document with text and images using FPDF in PHP. There are many more features and methods available in the FPDF library, so be sure to check the official documentation for more information.

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Glossary

Cell() method

In the FPDF library, the Cell() method is used to add text to a PDF. This method takes parameters for the width and height of the cell, the content of the cell, the border type, and where the cursor should move after the cell.

FPDF

FPDF is a PHP library that allows you to generate and manipulate PDF files programmatically. It provides functions for adding text, images, and basic styling to the PDF. It is free and open-source.

Image() method

In the FPDF library, the Image() method is used to add an image to a PDF. This method takes parameters for the path to the image file, as well as the x-coordinate, y-coordinate, width, and height of the image.

Output() method

In FPDF library, the Output() method is used to generate the PDF and save it to a file or output it to the browser. It can be used to either save the PDF to a file by specifying 'F' as the first parameter and the filename as the second parameter, or output the PDF to the browser by specifying 'I' as the first parameter.

SetFont() method

In the FPDF library, the SetFont() method is used to set the font, style, and size of the text that is added to a PDF using the Cell() method. The first parameter sets the font family, the second parameter sets the font style, and the third parameter sets the font size.