How to use FPDF to generate PDF files in php?

FPDF is a PHP class library used to generate PDF (Portable Document Format) files. It can generate various types of PDF documents in PHP websites, including tables, graphics, images, text, etc. Using FPDF makes it easy to create customized PDF files without using any special software or plug-ins.

In this article, we will introduce in detail how to use FPDF to generate PDF files, including installation, creating PDF documents, adding text and images, setting page layout and styles, etc.

1. Install the FPDF class library

First, we need to download and install the FPDF class library. The latest version of the FPDF class library can be downloaded from the FPDF official website (http://www.fpdf.org/). Once downloaded, unzip the downloaded file into your PHP application and name the directory "fpdf".

2. Create PDF documents

Before we start using FPDF to create PDF documents, we need to use the PHP language to instantiate the FPDF class. First, create a new PHP file and add the following code at the beginning of the PHP file:

<?php
require('fpdf/fpdf.php');
$pdf = new FPDF();
$pdf->AddPage();
$pdf->SetFont('Arial','B',16);
$pdf->Cell(40,10,'Hello World!');
$pdf->Output();
?>

In the code, we first load the FPDF class library, then instantiate the FPDF class, and use the AddPage() method to add a new page and set the font and size.

Finally, use the Cell() method to add text and the Output() method to output the PDF file to the browser or save it to the server.

3. Add text and images

Next, we will learn how to add text and images to PDF files.

To add text to a PDF file, use the Cell() method. The first parameter of the Cell() method is the width of the cell, the second parameter is the height of the cell, and the third parameter is the text contained in the cell.

$pdf->Cell(40,10,'This is a cell');

To add an image to a PDF file, you can use the Image() method. The following is a sample code:

$pdf->Image('image.png',10,10,30);

In the code, the first parameter is the path to the image file to be added, the second and third parameters are the X and Y coordinates of the image, and the fourth parameter is the image width. If the fourth parameter is omitted, the image will retain its original size.

4. Set page layout and style

You can use a variety of methods to set the layout and style of PDF documents.

To set the page size and direction, you can use the AddPage() method. Its first parameter is the page direction, and the second parameter is the page size. For example:

$pdf->AddPage('L','A4');

In the code, The first parameter is set to 'L' to indicate that the page is landscape orientation, and the second parameter is set to 'A4' to indicate that the page size is A4.

To set the font and style, you can use the SetFont() method. The first parameter of the SetFont() method is the font name, the second parameter (optional) is the font style (bold, italic, etc.), and the third parameter is the font size.

$pdf->SetFont('Arial','B',16);

To set page margins, you can use the SetMargins() method.

$pdf->SetMargins(20,20,20);

In the code, the first parameter is the left margin, the second parameter is the top margin, and the third parameter is the right and bottom margins.

5. Output PDF file

After completing the creation and setting of the PDF file, we need to use the Output() method to output the PDF file to the browser or save it to the server.

$pdf->Output();

If you want to save the PDF file to a specific directory in the server, you can use the following code:

$pdf->Output('doc.pdf','D');

In the code, the first parameter is the name of the PDF file, and the second parameter is output method. The "D" here means downloading the PDF file to the browser instead of outputting it to the screen.

6. Summary

By using the FPDF class library, we can easily generate PDF files without using any special software or plug-ins. This article introduces the knowledge of creating PDF documents, adding text and images, setting page layout and styles, and outputting PDF files. With an in-depth understanding of the FPDF class library, you can create your own custom PDF files to add more functionality and value to your PHP website.

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