Report Lab Introduction

During the past weekend, my task involved developing a report using Excel. This report, ultimately converted into a PDF, encompassed three tables, footnotes, titles, and graphics. The fulfillment of this task involved liaising with various individuals who furnished me with a summary of financial report data. I proceeded to transfer this data into an Excel spreadsheet to generate the report. While the entire operation was simple and direct, my interest was piqued to explore a new Python package. After some initial exploration, I chose to delve into the world of reportlab.

Reportlab is a Python library utilizing an x and y coordinate-based layout system. Essentially, this implies that the page layout is dictated by points, with one inch containing 72 points. The page's bottom-left corner is demarcated as x = 0 and y = 0. If one desires to insert an item halfway up an 8.5 by 11-inch page, x = 612 / 2 or x=305 can be used. Furthermore, it provides a float-based system, which proves more practical when incorporating multiple items like text paragraphs.

Reportlab objects can be classified into two categories: static and dynamic. Although dashboards are increasingly trending, PDFs retain their convenience for sharing documents across different systems, making them a staple in the business sphere. Despite not being the most preferred document format, PDFs have always fascinated me since my initial computer class in middle school. I've been drawn to the concept of crafting this universal document format accessible to anyone, regardless of their system.

The first step involves defining our working space, referred to as the canvas in reportlab terms. Subsequently, we strategize about the placement of items on the page. Using the x and y system, we inscribe items onto the canvas using a syntax that includes the object type followed by parentheses and the necessary parameters. For instance, invoking platypus involves using ('My Great Text', x, y) to position the text at the indicated x and y coordinates.

For the initial example, which involves recreating the original static PDF, I prefer the x and y method. Despite the bi-monthly changes, this method can potentially generate hundreds of reports at once. I liken this function to a picture frame that can accommodate anyone's picture. It allows for looping through lists of states, counties, and colleges, generating invoices, among other functionalities. Reportlab opens a world of possibilities for report creation.

Due to the substantial scope of the reportlab module, I will partition this blog post into four segments: 1) pinpointing items on a single page, 2) interacting with tables, 3) handling graphics, and 4) managing platypus items that dynamically extend over pages.