ReportLab in Django

Question

I'm making a bar graph using ReportLab in Django. I'm able to get the pdf generated, but it is saved in my root directory. Instead I want that the PDF should opened in the browser itself. How can I do it?

from reportlab.graphics.shapes import Drawing
from reportlab.graphics.charts.barcharts import VerticalBarChart
from reportlab.graphics import renderPDF
from django.http import HttpResponse

def generate_report(request):
    drawing = Drawing(400, 200)
    data = [
    (13, 5, 20, 22, 37, 45, 19, 4)
    ]
    bc = VerticalBarChart()
    bc.x = 50
    bc.y = 50
    bc.height = 125
    bc.width = 300
    bc.data = data
    #bc.strokeColor = colors.black
    bc.valueAxis.valueMin = 0
    bc.valueAxis.valueMax = 50
    bc.valueAxis.valueStep = 10
    bc.categoryAxis.categoryNames = ['Jan-99','Feb-99','Mar-99',
    'Apr-99','May-99','Jun-99','Jul-99','Aug-99']
    drawing.add(bc)

    # this returns None, but the file is saved in the directory.
    return HttpResponse(renderPDF.drawToFile(drawing, 'example.pdf', 'lineplot with dates'))

EDIT

def generate_report(request):
    # Create the HttpResponse object with the appropriate PDF headers.
    ctx = { "power_energy_update_interval" : gv.power_energy_update_interval, \
            "comparison_graph_update_interval" : gv.comparison_graph_update_interval, \
            "hourly_update_interval" : gv.hourly_update_interval
          }

    if request.is_ajax():
        if request.POST.has_key('start_date'):
            response = HttpResponse(content_type='application/pdf')
            response['Content-Disposition'] = 'attachment; filename="somefilename.pdf"'

            # Create the PDF object, using the response object as its "file."
            p = canvas.Canvas(response)

            # Draw things on the PDF. Here's where the PDF generation happens.
            # See the ReportLab documentation for the full list of functionality.
            p.drawString(100, 100, "Hello world.")

            # Close the PDF object cleanly, and we're done.
            p.showPage()
            p.save()

            return response

    return render(request, 'generate_report/reports.html', ctx)

When trying inside the AJAX request response, it does not returns the response. Why?

This has been [asked before](http://stackoverflow.com/q/1156246/165103), please use the search before asking a new question. — Mahmoud Hanafy, Nov 26 '13 at 07:05
This does not solves my problem. Can you please provide a demo. Thanks — PythonEnthusiast, Nov 26 '13 at 07:58
Please reply to this thread. http://stackoverflow.com/questions/20343382/pyrhon-reportlabs-save-2-different-graphs-in-2-different-pages. Thanks — PythonEnthusiast, Dec 03 '13 at 05:25

score 1 · Answer 1 · edited Mar 23 '17 at 03:49

1

Try:

# code...
page = renderPDF.drawToFile(drawing, 'example.pdf', 'lineplot with dates')
response = HttpResponse(page, mimetype='application/pdf')

I'm using reportlab.pdfgen.canvas and it works great.
Keep in mind that it's client's browser (and/or OS) job to open your file in browser after recognizing it as a PDF.

EDIT:
That's how I present invoices on some Web2Print solution:

from django.http import HttpResponse
from reportlab.pdfgen import canvas

def invoice_to_response(request, invoice):
    response = HttpResponse(mimetype='application/pdf')
    p = canvas.Canvas(response, pagesize='A4', pageCompression=0)
    # here I draw on 'p' like p.setFillColor(black)
    p.showPage()
    p.save()
    return response

edited Mar 23 '17 at 03:49

Ramon Melo

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answered Nov 26 '13 at 07:24

McAbra

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It says `Failed to load PDF Document` – PythonEnthusiast Nov 26 '13 at 07:31
Initially, I was also using `reportlab.pdfgen.canvas `, but I didnt knew how to draw pie-charts or bar graphs using `reportlab.pdfgen.canvas`. Hence I switched to `Drawing`. – PythonEnthusiast Nov 26 '13 at 07:33
Any suggestions please. – PythonEnthusiast Nov 26 '13 at 07:34
Can you please provide me an example of yours where you are setting this response. Thanks – PythonEnthusiast Nov 26 '13 at 07:47
Where do I've write this? Can you please provide a demo. Thanks – PythonEnthusiast Nov 26 '13 at 11:26
Can you please provide an answer for this question... http://stackoverflow.com/questions/20213339/reportlabs-django-integration – PythonEnthusiast Nov 26 '13 at 11:27
It's a function-based view. – McAbra Nov 26 '13 at 13:08
Please reply to this thread. http://stackoverflow.com/questions/20343382/pyrhon-reportlabs-save-2-different-graphs-in-2-different-pages. Thanks – PythonEnthusiast Dec 03 '13 at 05:22
Please see my edited question. It does not works when returning the response within the AJAX request. – PythonEnthusiast Dec 09 '13 at 06:50
So, how should I bring the response back to the success function.? – PythonEnthusiast Dec 09 '13 at 06:55
I think it's another question. You didin't say what is not working. Errors? – McAbra Dec 09 '13 at 07:03
I 'guess' its working, but since I'm sending an AJAX response, hence I should handle this at the client side. I've posted a question http://stackoverflow.com/questions/20464921/how-to-open-a-pdf-file-while-returning-the-file-in-ajax-request-success-response . Please take a look. Thanks – PythonEnthusiast Dec 09 '13 at 07:05
You can finish this question if it's answered. For others to use. – McAbra Dec 09 '13 at 08:01

ReportLab in Django

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