Imagine you’ve just bought something online, and moments later, an invoice pops up in your inbox as a clean, professional-looking PDF. Behind the scenes, that PDF was likely generated by a few lines of code, and PHP probably did the heavy lifting. From invoices to contracts, PDFs are a go-to format because they’re reliable and look the same on any device.

Now, if you’re wondering how to create your own PDFs using PHP, you’re in the right place. PHP makes the whole process smooth, fitting right into your web app without breaking a sweat. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to generate PDFs with PHP—step by step, easy as pie. Let’s dive in!

Why Use PHP to Generate PDFs?

PHP makes generating PDFs super easy for both developers and businesses. It integrates smoothly into web apps, allowing you to automatically create things like invoices or contracts without any hassle. Whether your app runs on Windows, Mac, or Linux, PHP gets the job done everywhere. Plus, since PDFs always look the same no matter where they’re opened, they’re a perfect choice for sharing important documents.

With PHP, you can quickly automate PDF generation and make your processes more efficient, saving time and effort in the long run.

CxReports is absolutely great for developers, especially those who want a more streamlined, automated way to generate reports. It offers robust API integration, making it a perfect fit for developers who need advanced PDF generation without manually handling every detail in code. It's especially useful for developers working on larger projects that require consistent, branded reports or automation.

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Best Libraries and Tools for Generating PDFs in PHP

When generating PDFs with PHP, there are several tools to choose from. Let’s start with an advanced solution for developers and businesses alike:

1. CxReports: A Developer-Friendly, No-Code and API-Based Solution

• Features: CxReports is a powerful tool that simplifies PDF generation for both developers and non-developers. It offers an easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor while also providing strong API integration for developers who need to automate PDF creation. It supports multiple data sources (SQL, APIs) and allows for advanced scheduling and branding customization.
• Pros: API-friendly for developers, no need for manual coding if not desired, robust automation and integration features.
• Cons: Best suited for more complex PDF needs, rather than very basic documents.
• Use Case: Perfect for developers working on applications that require automated, pixel-perfect, and branded reports, but also ideal for teams that want to reduce manual coding.

If you're looking for more traditional code-based libraries, here are some other popular options:

2. TCPDF

• Features: TCPDF provides built-in support for HTML, images, and languages, making it great for detailed PDFs.
• Pros: No external dependencies, highly customizable.
• Cons: Slower for large, complex PDFs.
• Use Case: Great for developers who need full control over the PDF structure.

3. FPDF

• Features: FPDF is a lightweight library for creating PDFs with simple elements.
• Pros: Very easy to use, no installation needed.
• Cons: Lacks support for more advanced features like HTML or CSS styling.
• Use Case: Ideal for basic PDFs like invoices.

4. DomPDF

• Features: DomPDF converts HTML/CSS into PDFs, making it an excellent choice for developers who prefer web technologies.
• Pros: Easy to style PDFs with CSS.
• Cons: Struggles with more complex layouts or large files.
• Use Case: Perfect for developers comfortable with HTML and CSS.

How to Generate a PDF with PHP (Step-by-Step)

If you’re looking to generate PDFs with PHP, here’s a simple guide to get you started:

Step 1: Install a PHP PDF Library

First, you’ll need to install a PDF library like TCPDF, FPDF, or DomPDF. The easiest way is through Composer. Here’s how:

composer require dompdf/dompdf

This command installs DomPDF, but you can use the same approach for other libraries.

Step 2: Create a Basic PDF

Once the library is installed, you can start coding. Below is an example using DomPDF to create a simple PDF with text and an image:

require 'vendor/autoload.php';

use Dompdf\Dompdf;

$dompdf = new Dompdf();

$html = '

Welcome to PHP PDF Generation

This is a basic PDF created with PHP and DomPDF.

';

$dompdf->loadHtml($html);

$dompdf->render();

$dompdf->stream();

This will generate a PDF with a heading and paragraph. You can add more elements like tables or images to customize it further.

Step 3: Export the PDF

Exporting is as simple as calling the stream() method, as seen above. This will download the PDF directly in the browser.

CxReports: A Simpler, More Powerful Solution

While PHP libraries get the job done, CxReports makes the entire process easier—especially if you’re not a developer. With CxReports, you can skip coding altogether and use its drag-and-drop visual editor to create pixel-perfect PDFs. Here’s how:

1. Drag-and-Drop Editor: Simply add text, images, tables, and more without writing any code.
2. Data Integration: Pull in real-time data from SQL databases or APIs to populate your reports.
3. Automation: Set up scheduled report generation and delivery, saving you time and reducing manual work.

In just a few clicks, you can create and export reports without worrying about code or formatting. Perfect for both developers and non-developers alike.

Automating PDF Report Generation with CxReports

When it comes to automating PDF report generation, CxReports simplifies the process. From generating invoices to monthly reports or other documents, CxReports offers a powerful, user-friendly solution.

Key Features of CxReports for Automation:

• Pixel-perfect PDF Reports: Create beautifully designed reports using a drag-and-drop editor—no coding required. Customize the layout, fonts, images, and more to fit your branding perfectly.
• Data Integration: Easily connect CxReports to local databases, SQL, APIs, or other data sources. This ensures your reports are always updated with the latest information.
• Scheduled Report Generation: Set up automated schedules to generate and deliver reports via email daily, weekly, or monthly—saving time and reducing manual tasks.
• API Integration for Developers: For those looking to automate on a larger scale, CxReports provides API integration. This allows developers to export reports to PDF, retrieve data, and even embed the reporting functionality into their own applications.

Example Use Case: Automating Invoice Generation

Imagine you run a business that needs to send out invoices to clients at the end of each month. Instead of manually creating each invoice, you can automate the entire process with CxReports:

1. Data Integration: Connect CxReports to your SQL database where client data is stored.
2. Report Design: Use the drag-and-drop editor to create a branded invoice template.
3. Automation: Schedule CxReports to generate and email these invoices at the end of every month, ensuring they're sent out on time without any manual effort.

With CxReports, you can automate even the most complex reporting tasks, making your workflow more efficient and error-free.

Common challenges when generating PDFs with PHP

Generating PDFs with PHP can come with several real-world challenges, especially for businesses looking for consistency, accuracy, and automation. Let’s look at some common issues and how CxReports provides solutions:

1. Manual Formatting and Data Entry

One of the biggest headaches when generating PDFs is dealing with manual formatting and data entry. Manually entering data increases the risk of errors, slows down the process, and adds unnecessary complexity.

How CxReports Helps:CxReports eliminates manual entry by connecting directly to your data sources (SQL databases, APIs, etc.). Reports are automatically populated with the latest data, ensuring accuracy and efficiency. This removes the need for manual input and formatting, saving time and reducing errors.

2. Inconsistent Branding Across Documents

Maintaining consistent branding across multiple reports is a real challenge, especially when different people are responsible for generating documents.

How CxReports Helps:CxReports allows you to create reusable templates that enforce consistent branding, colors, fonts, and layouts across all your reports. Once you design your template, it can be applied to any report, ensuring your documents look polished and professional every time.

3. Programming Complexity for Non-Developers

For non-developers, writing PHP code to generate PDFs can be overwhelming. It requires technical skills, which often means relying on developers for even simple changes.

How CxReports Helps:CxReports simplifies this process with its no-code, drag-and-drop visual editor. Non-developers can easily create and customize reports without touching any code. At the same time, developers can still utilize the powerful API for advanced customizations.

CxReports not only solves these common challenges but also adds value by automating processes, ensuring consistent results, and making it easy for everyone—regardless of technical skill—to create pixel-perfect PDF reports.

Conclusion

Generating PDFs with PHP is a great solution for businesses and developers who need reliable, flexible document generation. With tools like TCPDF, FPDF, and DomPDF, you can handle anything from simple invoices to more complex reports. But if you're looking for a more automated, user-friendly approach, CxReports takes it to the next level. It simplifies everything with its no-code editor, powerful automation features, and seamless integration with your data sources.

Ready to Take Your PDF Generation to the Next Level?

Try CxReports for yourself and see how easy it is to create pixel-perfect, professional reports without the hassle of manual coding.👉 Explore the Live Demo Now or Schedule a Free Consultation to get started today!