Create word file (.doc) with python

Question

I have have to generate a 2003 compatible doc file from python without using external program like OpenOffice or embedded language like java using Jasper, but I have not found a way to do it. Creating a docx is quite simple and not suppose a problem, but the doc file is another history. As an alternative solution I tried to generate a rtf file, but the unicode incompatibility (there is a library out there solving this) and the lack of features don't allow me to go further and meet my needs. Any advice or solution? Thanks in advance!

2003 was 9 years ago. It's time for people to accept docx format. MS even makes an add-on available for versions of office that don't support it originally. — Marcin
– Marcin, Commented Apr 12, 2012 at 9:20

Paul Hiemstra · Accepted Answer · 2012-04-12 09:27:33Z

4

A google for python generate word document lead to a lot of good results. It seems that either py docx or win32com.client are useful libraries.

To read docx files with Word 2003 you have to install a plugin.

edited Apr 12, 2012 at 9:27

answered Apr 12, 2012 at 9:16

Paul Hiemstra

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5 Comments

Juri Robl Over a year ago

py docx generates docx files, which are not (direct) compatible with word 2003.

Paul Hiemstra Over a year ago

You can also read docx files in Word 2003, I added a link in the answer.

castledom04 Over a year ago

The project is multiplatform, it has to generate the doc file from linux or windows, so pywin32 is not an option. It seems that is not a proper library to create doc files... Plugin installation seems the best option... sigh...

Paul Hiemstra Over a year ago

I think installing the plugin is a good solution. This will enable all of your users to open docx files, also the ones they get from people other than you. Alternatively, you could work with the Open Document format, and install the plugin for that in MS Office....

castledom04 Over a year ago

Ok thanks, seems clients are still asking for futile things... I will use Latex in a future project ;)

Paul Jowett · Accepted Answer · 2012-04-17 10:07:53Z

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Because it's a binary format you have few options. JODReports or Docmosis might be both sit over OpenOffice so can generate real doc-format files. You should be able to run either from Python and optionally bridging into Java if that improves your performance.

answered Apr 17, 2012 at 10:07

Paul Jowett

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1 Comment

castledom04 Over a year ago

That was the best solution. For instance, I ended talking to our client to explain .docx was a better solution. He even installed IE8 and stopped using IE7... TT

sudoremo · Accepted Answer · 2012-04-12 09:48:17Z

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You could generate HTML first, then automatize pandoc to convert it into an ODT. Then, using the PyUNO bridge, convert it to a Doc. It's a pretty long chain but I did not figure out a better way of doing it. Also have a look at http://wiki.services.openoffice.org/wiki/Python.

The specification of .doc files is, in my opinion, quite a mess and won't be easy to generate it directly with python. Although there have been some attempts of python libs for writing doc files, they are in very early stage and might not serve you...

answered Apr 12, 2012 at 9:48

sudoremo

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castledom04 Over a year ago

In the project I can't use pyuno/openoffice, the file must be generated from python code. I had implemented this solution with great results, but the need of openoffice installed on the system is not allowed... :(

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