Creating PDF Service Reports

Python
from reportlab.lib.pagesizes import letter
from reportlab.pdfgen import canvas
from reportlab.lib import colors

c = canvas.Canvas("service_report.pdf", pagesize=letter)
c.setTitle("HVAC Service Report")

# Header with company branding
c.setFillColor(colors.HexColor("#1B3A6B"))
c.rect(50, 750, 500, 40, fill=1)
c.setFillColor(colors.white)
c.setFont("Helvetica-Bold", 14)
c.drawCentredString(300, 765, "HVAC MAINTENANCE REPORT")

# Form field
c.acroForm.textfield(name="customer_name", x=100, y=700, width=200, height=20)
c.setFont("Helvetica", 10)
c.drawString(100, 715, "Customer Name:")

c.save()

Step 1: Plan Report Structure

• Identify required sections (customer info, work performed, signatures)
• Calculate page layout (letter = 612×792 pts, margins typically 50pt)
• Define brand colors and fonts
• List all form fields needed

Step 2: Set Up Canvas and Branding

• Initialize canvas with page size
• Create header with company logo area and title
• Set up footer with page numbers
• Define color scheme constants

Step 3: Build Form Fields

• Add text fields for customer data
• Create checkbox grids for options
• Add signature boxes
• Include notes/comments areas

Step 4: Generate Sections

• Draw section headers with numbering
• Position form elements using coordinate system
• Add borders and visual separators
• Test field positioning and sizing

Example 1: Customer Information Section

Python
# Input: Basic customer data collection
def create_customer_section(c, y_start):
    # Section header
    c.setFillColor(colors.HexColor("#1B3A6B"))
    c.rect(50, y_start-25, 500, 25, fill=1)
    c.setFillColor(colors.white)
    c.setFont("Helvetica-Bold", 12)
    c.drawString(60, y_start-18, "1. CUSTOMER INFORMATION")
    
    # Form fields
    fields = [
        ("Customer Name:", "customer_name", 250),
        ("Phone Number:", "phone", 150),
        ("Service Address:", "address", 300)
    ]
    
    y = y_start - 50
    for label, field_name, width in fields:
        c.setFillColor(colors.black)
        c.setFont("Helvetica", 10)
        c.drawString(60, y+15, label)
        c.acroForm.textfield(name=field_name, x=60, y=y, width=width, height=18)
        y -= 35
    
    return y  # Return position for next section

# Output: Professional form section with labeled fields

Example 2: Checkbox Grid for Services

Python
# Input: List of services to track
services = ["Filter Change", "Coil Cleaning", "Belt Inspection", 
           "Thermostat Check", "Ductwork Review", "System Test"]

def create_service_checkboxes(c, x, y, services):
    c.setFont("Helvetica-Bold", 10)
    c.drawString(x, y+15, "Services Performed:")
    
    cols = 2
    col_width = 200
    
    for i, service in enumerate(services):
        row = i // cols
        col = i % cols
        cb_x = x + (col * col_width)
        cb_y = y - (row * 25)
        
        # Checkbox
        c.acroForm.checkbox(name=f"service_{i}", x=cb_x, y=cb_y, size=12)
        # Label
        c.setFont("Helvetica", 9)
        c.drawString(cb_x + 20, cb_y + 3, service)
    
    return y - ((len(services) // cols + 1) * 25)

# Output: Grid layout with 2 columns of checkboxes

Example 3: Signature Box

Python
# Input: Signature area requirements
def create_signature_box(c, x, y, width, title):
    height = 80
    
    # Box border
    c.setStrokeColor(colors.HexColor("#B0BAC8"))
    c.rect(x, y-height, width, height, fill=0, stroke=1)
    
    # Title bar
    c.setFillColor(colors.HexColor("#1B3A6B"))
    c.rect(x+1, y-20, width-2, 18, fill=1)
    c.setFillColor(colors.white)
    c.setFont("Helvetica-Bold", 8)
    c.drawString(x+8, y-14, title)
    
    # Signature fields
    fields = [("Name:", 150), ("Signature:", 150), ("Date:", 100)]
    field_y = y - 35
    
    for label, field_width in fields:
        c.setFillColor(colors.black)
        c.setFont("Helvetica", 8)
        c.drawString(x+8, field_y+10, label)
        c.acroForm.textfield(
            name=f"{title.lower()}_{label.replace(':', '')}", 
            x=x+8, y=field_y-5, width=field_width, height=15
        )
        field_y -= 25

# Output: Professional signature box with name/signature/date fields