mySQL database entries to .doc

beezZa

A client of mine runs a site (www.resumeref.com) thats creates resumes from the information that users enter from a form. It is running in ASP. The customer wants to join my hosting company and has asked me to re do the design in PHP. I have the basic design up, the forms for the data to be entered, and the database(mySQL) that holds all the different fields. What i want to figure out now is how to retrieve that information from the database(mySQL) and put it into a formatted MS document(.doc) that looks professional. Actually id like to have 2-3 different word templates for them to choose from.

I am new to PHP and I'm looking for maybe some code examples or any references for this process. Any help is appreciated. Seriously, anything.

bpat1434

Nothing really easy with Word.... there is the Excel writer class in PEAR, but for word you just have to use a COM object. I don't use it much, but it sounds like that'd be your best bet. The other option is to use a RTF and save it as a RTF file instead of doc.

NogDog

Theoretically it's also possible with OpenOffice and some assorted add-on libraries if on a non-Windows host, but it's enough to make your head spin trying to figure it all out.

beezZa

bpat1434 wrote:
Nothing really easy with Word.... there is the Excel writer class in PEAR, but for word you just have to use a COM object. I don't use it much, but it sounds like that'd be your best bet. The other option is to use a RTF and save it as a RTF file instead of doc.

Thats what ive been seeing across the board with my research thus far. Do you have anything on RTF, maybe i can make due with that?

NogDog

RTF is a plain text file. What you can do is put together a dummy document in Word, then save it as RTF and open it up in a plain text editor. Then you can see how it's structured and cut it up into the pieces you need to create your dynamic document. It may take some trial and error to figure out some of the specifics, but it can be done. (At least, I did it a couple years ago for a client. 🙂 )

beezZa

So am i correct in thinking that i could use php commands to write the inputed text (stored in a database) along with some markup (bold, underline, spacing) to a file and save it as .rtf? Then tell people to open it with whatever processor and all the markup will there.

SpeedBird

Reference: PDF document describing the Rich Text Format.

I can't help but think that HTML would be a better option, though.

SpeedBird

beezZa wrote:
So am i correct in thinking that i could use php commands to write the inputed text (stored in a database) along with some markup (bold, underline, spacing) to a file and save it as .rtf? Then tell people to open it with whatever processor and all the markup will there.

Yes. Look up fopen(), fwrite() and related functions.

beezZa

Thanks everyone.