Dompdf: How to create elegant PDFs in PHP?

Table of Contents

Introduction to Dompdf

Dompdf is a PHP library that allows you to generate PDF files from HTML content. This solution is very useful for generating reports, invoices or any other document in PDF format. In this article, we will discover the basic features of Dompdf and learn how to use it to create elegant and functional PDFs.

Prerequisites

Before installing Dompdf, make sure you have the following:

PHP: Dompdf requires PHP >= 5.4. It is compatible with versions 7.x of PHP.
PHP extensions: Make sure you have enabled the following PHP extensions: mbstring, DOM and GD. These extensions are essential for the proper functioning of Dompdf.
Compose : Dompdf is distributed via Composer, which is a dependency manager for PHP. Make sure you have Composer installed on your system.

Dompdf installation

To install Dompdf, follow the following steps:

Create a new PHP project: If you don’t already have an existing project, create a new one using the basic structure of your choice.
Add the Dompdf dependency via Composer: Open a console and navigate to your project directory. Run the following command to add Dompdf to your project:
```
composer require dompdf/dompdf
```
This command will automatically download and install Dompdf along with its dependencies.

Use Dompdf in your application: You can now use Dompdf in your project. There are many ways to create PDF files with Dompdf, but here’s a basic example to get you started:

// Include the Composer autoloader
require 'vendor/autoload.php';

// Create a new Dompdf object
$dompdf = new Dompdf();

// Load HTML content from a file or string
$html = 'My first PDF document with Dompdf';
$dompdf->loadHtml($html);

// Render the PDF document
$dompdf->render();

// Send PDF document to output
$dompdf->stream('document.pdf');

This example creates a new PDF document with a title and uploads it as a “document.pdf” file. You can customize the HTML content according to your needs.

Now that you have Dompdf installed, you can start generating elegant and functional PDF files in your web applications. Dompdf offers many advanced features for customizing PDF rendering, such as managing images, custom fonts and CSS styles.

Creating an Elegant PDF in PHP

Another method of installing and using Dompdf

Here are the steps to follow:
1. Download the latest version of Dompdf from the official website.
2. Extract the downloaded files and place them in your PHP project.
3. Include the Dompdfautoload.php file to load the library into your PHP script.

Creating a PDF from an HTML template

Now that we have installed Dompdf, we will see how to create a PDF using an HTML template. Follow these steps:

1. Create an HTML file containing the structure and layout you want for your PDF.
2. Use CSS features to style your document, using properties like font-family, font-size, border, etc.
3. Include dynamic data using Dompdf-specific tags, such as “{{name}}” or “{{address}}”.
4. Use the Dompdf class to generate the PDF using the HTML template you created.

Managing images and fonts

When creating stylish PDFs, it is often necessary to include images or use specific fonts. Here’s how to do it with Dompdf:

1. Include images in your HTML template using the tag .
2. Please note that Dompdf does not include all fonts by default. You can add custom fonts using @font-face in your CSS or using fonts provided by Dompdf.

Optimizing rendering and fixing Dompdf issues

Sometimes you may encounter issues with rendering your PDF or generating the files. Here are some tips for solving them:

1. Check that your HTML template is correctly constructed and valid.
2. Make sure all external resources (images, fonts, etc.) are accessible from the server.
3. Debug your code by activating Dompdf debug mode and checking the displayed errors.
4. See the Dompdf documentation for more information on common configurations and issues.

Using Dompdf, you can provide an enhanced user experience by delivering professional and well-formatted PDF documents. Whether generating reports, invoices or other types of documents, Dompdf is a reliable and powerful choice.

In conclusion, installing Dompdf is quick and easy thanks to Composer. Once installed, you can start creating high-quality PDF files to meet your web application needs. Don’t forget to check out the official Dompdf documentation to learn more about its features and available customization options.