Python is used in automation, data generation, and conversion to various formats, including the widely used PDF. Here is a step-by-step example of building an automation that runs Python script from a file to generate a PDF.

As PDFs are easily portable, it makes them ideal for viewing data across different devices and platforms. Python offers a diverse range of libraries for PDF generation, each with its unique features and capabilities. For example, FPDF, ReportLab, Pyppeteer, and Pdfkit.

Prerequisites

  • To run Python script in Automation 360, you must already have the latest version of Python 3.x installed on your device.
  • This example uses the FPDF library to generate the PDF. FPDF, a python library that has been ported from PHP, is a powerful tool for generating PDFs. It offers a range of functionalities, from generating PDFs from text files to writing your data formats to generate PDFs. Therefore, install it before you start building this automation by copying and pasting the following line in the Windows command prompt:
    pip install fpdf
    See FPDF project page.

Procedure

  1. Create a file in a standalone folder to hold the following Python script: 
    from fpdf import FPDF
import os

def create_pdf(args):
    text, font, size, align, output_path, page_orientation, unit, format_ = args

    os.makedirs(os.path.dirname(output_path), exist_ok=True)

    pdf = FPDF(orientation=page_orientation, unit=unit, format=format_)
    pdf.add_page()
    pdf.set_font(font, size=size)
    pdf.cell(200, 10, txt=text, ln=1, align=align)
    pdf.output(output_path)
    return f"PDF successfully created at: {output_path}"
    In this case, the argument is passed as a list variable.
    Note: If you are uploading a script from a file on your PC, the file and any dependencies must be in a standalone folder. When you select a file for upload, all files and folders at the same folder level are uploaded.
  2. Create a new bot:
    1. On the left panel, click Automation.
    2. Click + Create > Task Bot.
    3. Select the required platform as the target runtime environment. For example, Windows or macOS.
      Note: Windows is the default pre-selected platform.
    4. In the Create Task Bot window, enter the bot name.
    5. Accept the default folder location: \Bots\
      To change the default bot storage location, click Choose and follow the prompts.
    6. Click Create and edit.
      When you create a bot, the platform type is also logged in the audit entry. The event type is logged as Create bot.
    Note: The default maximum size for individual bot is 50 MB.
  3. Provide the script with a Python Script > Open action:
    1. Double-click or drag the Python Script > Open.
    2. Select the Import existing file option.
    3. Click Browse to select the .py file you created in Step 1.
  4. Use a Python Script > Execute script action to tell the bot to run the script:
    1. Double-click or drag Python Script > Execute script.
    2. Enable the Throw an exception if the python script fails check box.
      Note: Enabling this check box ensures that the bot displays the same runtime exception as the Python script instead of a generic bot error if the Python script fails.
  5. Close the script execution session with a Python Script > Close action:
    1. Double-click or drag Python Script > Close.
    2. Click Save.
  6. Click the Run icon.
    The automation creates a PDF on the specified folder with the text Go Be Great!.

    To review the bot launcher logs, navigate to C:\ProgramData\AutomationAnywhere\BotRunner\Logs\<current month>\Bot_Launcher-<today's date>.log.zip. Each zipped folder contains a file with data on the code execution, which is useful for debugging.

    If the automation does not create a file, change the last line in the Python script and make sure you have write access to the folder location specified:
    pdf.output(r"C:/Temp/sample_demo.pdf")