September 10, 2025

PHP Word Document Generation: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

PHP Word Document Generation

Introduction:

PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) is one of the well-known open-source server-side scripting languages. It is widely used in web development, dynamic websites, and e-commerce platforms. PHP is essential to many of the websites and apps that we use daily, from handling sessions and processing form data to communicating with databases.

Not just a database, PHP can also handle various tasks, such as generating documents. One of the most common and widely used cases is creating Microsoft Word files automatically from PHP code. This is useful for generating invoices, reports, contracts, or any kind of template-based document.

PHP is also supported with the help of libraries like PHPWord. Developers can easily create files, fill the data, and even style them, all from the server-side code itself.

As PHP can store, delete, and change the information in a database, it becomes a strong foundation for creating web applications, including content management systems (CMS) and community portals.

If you’re looking for more tools? Check out our list of the Top 10 Document Generation Software Tools to Automate Your Business in 2025.

Key Takeaway:

➔ Why gePHP offers multiple reliable tools for generating Word documents, each with its own advantages.

➔ Tools like PerfectDoc Studio, PHPWord, and Docmosis work well for different types of projects and budgets.

➔ Both simple and advanced libraries (like PHPWord) support a broad range of document features and complexity.

Generate a Word document with PHP

  1. Create a document from the start or from a template.
  2. You can add text, images, art, and videos.
  3. You can research a topic and find credible sources.  
  4. It can have easy access to documents from a computer, tablet, or phone via OneDrive.
  5. You can share your documents with others.
  6. Track and review changes.

Want to understand why document generation software is essential for businesses? Read our blog on Why Document Generation Software Is So Important for Any Organization.

Prerequisites for setting up PHP:

To create a Word document using PHPWord, all you need is the following resources installed in your system:

● PHP version 5.3.3+

● Composer for managing PHP dependencies.

● A default extension is enabled, which is an XML parser extension.

● Install the Zend Escaper component using the following command (code).

composer require zendframework/zend-escaper

● Again, install the Zend stdlib component using the following command (code).

composer require zendframework/zend-stdlib

https://blog.fileformat.com/file-formats/create-a-word-document-using-phpword/

Refer to the link for detailed prerequisites.

PHP libraries for Word document generation:

What are PHP libraries?

PHP is a popular backend language. It is popular because of its developer-friendly web functions and the readable programming structure.

Yes, PHP uses libraries just like any other language or software.

Libraries are nothing but pre-written collections of code to optimize tasks. Standard PHP library, which is a group of classes and interfaces, is designed to address the common issues. 

Few benefits:
  1. Increased efficiency.
  2. Community collaboration.
  3. Better security.
  4. Improved scalability.
  5. Extended functionality.

PHPWord:

It is a library written in pure PHP that provides a set of classes to write to different document file formats. It includes Microsoft Office Open XML (OOXML), OASIS, Open Document Format (ODF), and rich text format (RTF).

It is an open-source project.

Features of PHPWord include setting document properties, adding sections, headers, footers, customized font styles, images, lists, hyperlinks, tables, form fields, and template-based document creation.  

requires PHP 7.1+ and several PHP extensions, including GD for images, Zip for OOXML, XML Parser, and optionally dompdf for PDF generation.

It is installed using Composer and allows for dynamic content creation and a great deal of customization.

It is actively maintained and has robust documentation and a large community.

Not every feature of Microsoft Word is implemented in PHPWord, but the available features are a lot to work on.

Check out the video on how to generate Word documents with PHP and the phpword library.

PHPdocX:

This is also a very powerful, cross-platform PHP library for generating and manipulating Microsoft Word documents. It allows easy access to developers to create, update, store, convert, and secure Word files from data in databases and templates. Compatible with PHP 5.3 and higher, offering extensive functionality aimed at professional reporting and document automation scenarios.

PHPDocX supports HTML/CSS to DOCX conversion and offers features for document protection, merging, and exporting to other formats like PDF. It is compatible with other languages and also other operating systems, providing a comprehensive API to manage the text, image, tables, charts, and other elements within the Word document.

The features of PHPDocx are that it creates documents from scratch, it works with Linux, Windows, and various PHP environments. It also offers customization and paid licenses (advanced, premium, bureau)  for more sophisticated capabilities.

Learn how personalized documents are created by reading our blog on What Is Dynamic Document Generation? Best Methods in 2025.

How to Install PHP Libraries:

Installing PHP libraries like PHPWord might sound technical, but with the help of Composer (a PHP tool for managing packages), it becomes easy even if you’re not a developer. You just need access to your hosting control panel (cPanel), SSH access to run commands, and a bit of guidance. Once Composer is set up, you can install any library you need and start generating dynamic documents.

The process works like:

  1. Log in to cpanal: access the hosting account and open the software
  2. Enable SSH access: if you are unable to access, contact your hosting provider and request access.
  3. Connect via SSH: use the terminal feature, or you can download PuTTY and log in using your credentials.
  4. Navigate your project folder: use this command code.
cd public_html/your_project_folder

5. Download Composer: use this command code.

curl -sS https://getcomposer.org/installer | php

6. Make Composer Globally Accessible: type this code.

mv composer.phar /usr/local/bin/composer

7. Install Any PHP Library (e.g., PHPWord): use the tool

composer require phpoffice/phpword

Explore this Comprehensive Guide to Installing PHP Libraries Using Composer on cPanel Hosting for a step-by-step walkthrough directly from Domain India’s help center.

Now, replace document_name with your desired file name.

Step 5: Add your HTML content below the PHP headers.

➔ After the PHP headers, write the HTML content that will appear in your Word document. For example:

<h1>Welcome to My Word Document</h1>
<p>This content will appear in the Word file generated by PHP .</p>

Step 6: Save and run the PHP script.

➔ Save the index.php file.

➔ Open your web browser and navigate to http://localhost/index.php.

➔ Your browser will prompt you to download the Word file with the name you specified.

Step 7: Open and review your Word document.

➔ Use Microsoft Word or another compatible word processor to open the downloaded .doc file.

➔ The content you wrote in the PHP file will appear as a Word document.

Check out this video on how to create a Word document in PHP without using any libraries.

<?php

header(“Content-type: application/vnd.ms-word”);

header(“Content-Disposition: attachment;Filename=document_name.doc”);

?>

Now, replace document_name with your desired file name.

Step 5: Add your HTML content below the PHP headers.

➔ After the PHP headers, write the HTML content that will appear in your Word document. For example:

<h1>Welcome to My Word Document</h1>
<p>This content will appear in the Word file generated by PHP .</p>

Step 6: Save and run the PHP script.

➔ Save the index.php file.

➔ Open your web browser and navigate to http://localhost/index.php.

➔ Your browser will prompt you to download the Word file with the name you specified.

Step 7: Open and review your Word document.

➔ Use Microsoft Word or another compatible word processor to open the downloaded .doc file.

➔ The content you wrote in the PHP file will appear as a Word document.

Check out this video on how to create a Word document in PHP without using any libraries.

Steps to generate a Word document from a template using PHPWord:

  1. Prepare the Template

● Create a Word document (e.g., in Microsoft Word) and add placeholders for the dynamic content using curly braces, such as ${name} or ${date}.

● Save this file, for example, as Template.docx, and upload it to your server.

  2. Install PHPWord

● Instruct your developer or hosting provider to run this command in your project folder:

composer require phpoffice/phpword

● This will install the PHPWord library.

3. Write the PHP Script

● Here is some sample code to use in your PHP file:

<?php

require_once ‘vendor/autoload.php’; // Include PHPWord

use PhpOffice\PhpWord\TemplateProcessor;

// Load the template file

$templateProcessor = new TemplateProcessor(‘Template.docx’);

// Replace the placeholders with actual values

$templateProcessor->setValue(‘name’, ‘John Smith’);

$templateProcessor->setValue(‘date’, date(‘Y-m-d’));

// Save the resulting document

$templateProcessor->saveAs(‘GeneratedDocument.docx’);

?>

● This PHP code loads the template, fills in the placeholders with your data, and saves a new Word document with the filled-in information.

  4. Download or Use the Generated Document

● After running the script, the new Word document (e.g., GeneratedDocument.docx) will be saved on the server.

● You can then download it or send it to users.

Check out our blog on How to Automate Template-Based Document Creation: 3 Must-Try Tools Revealed

After your PHP generates a Word document or any other type of file, you can make it simple for users to download it. This involves posting links for downloads and keeping the generated files on your server. These links can be made with PHP, which can also make the browser download the file instead of opening it. You can make sure users receive their documents safely and promptly by following a few easy steps.

Let’s discuss the step-by-step process of file downloads.

  1. Store Your Files: Save the Word or other documents that are created in a folder on your server (e.g., /files/).
  2. Create Download Links: Write a PHP script that checks if the file exists and creates clickable download links for users.
  3. Set Permissions: ensure your server has the correct permissions to access these files.
  4. Access via Browser: Place your PHP script on the server (e.g., download.php) and access it through a browser to trigger downloads.

For a detailed, step-by-step guide on creating downloadable links for various file types using PHP, including ready-to-use code examples, check out this Quora post on downloadable file links with PHP.

Advantages of using PHP for Word document generation from the user’s point.

  1. Simple to Use and Learn – it is easy for non-developers to generate and create files.
  2. Fast to build and deploy – You can create a functional document generator or web app in just a few hours.
  3. Web- native language –  PHP was designed for the web; it handles forms, file downloads, and dynamic content (such as Word documents created by users) with ease.
  4. Active Community Support – Tons of tutorials, documentation, and open-source solutions are available for document generation tasks. 

To learn how to generate PDFs with PHP, explore this comprehensive guide on how to generate PDFs with PHP.

Disadvantages of using PHP for Word document generation from the user’s point.

  1. Inconsistent language design –  The naming and parameter orders of PHP’s built-in functions are frequently inconsistent, which can be confusing when formatting documents.
  2. Lack of Built-In Word Support – PHP doesn’t natively support Word formats, which leads you to third-party libraries, which may have limitations.
  3. Less Ideal for Large-Scale Systems – PHP might not be as efficient as languages like Python or Node.js for processing documents with high volume.
  4. Bad Practices – PHP’s flexibility makes it easy to write poor-quality or insecure code, especially when user-generated content is involved.

You can read more opinions in this Reddit discussion on PHP’s strengths and weaknesses.

Alternatives to Word Document Generation using PHP.

Perfect Doc Studio is a business document generation tool designed to dynamically create Word and PDF documents from templates. It functions by utilizing pre-established templates, combining them with the data, and producing customised documents.

Perfect Doc Studio is the correct place for connections with current systems and databases to retrieve essential data like customer information, pricing details, or product specifications. Subsequently, users can edit the templates to match their requirements, including formatting, styles, and content.  

This process is very easy to understand and usually only needs simple technical knowledge. With just a few clicks, users can start the document generation procedure, rendering it user-friendly for employees across various departments and proficiency levels.

How does document generation work?

Step 1: Choose a template – Start by selecting a dynamic smart template from the content library based on your document type. 

Step 2: edit the template – Use the drag-and-drop interface to customize the template.

Step 3:connect data sources – Integrate with CRMs, Excel sheets, APIs, or other data sources.

Step 4: Select languages – Perfect Doc Studio supports automated content creation in up to 108 languages, so it allows multilingual document generation.

Step 5: real-time generation – Set up the process to run instantly or at scheduled times.

Step 6: Export the Final Document – Export the completed document as DOCX or PDF, ready for download or email.

Curious to know about AI-based document generation? Click on the blog to know the top 10 AI-based document generation software.

Docmosis is an easy-to-use document generation engine that integrates with your software application to provide the seamless production of documents and reports using data supplied by your application.

The documents are produced in one or more of the following formats: MS Word, OpenOffice Writer, LibreOffice Writer, Adobe PDF, and HTML using your custom-made templates. Docmosis delivers a reporting engine by providing cross-platform compatibility, portability, and scalability.

How does document generation work?

Step 1: Choose a template – Create templates using Microsoft Word or LibreOffice Writer.

Step 2: Add Placeholders – Add plain-text placeholders for all dynamic content, just by typing.

Step 3: insert and control content – Inject text/images/tables; conditionally add/remove any content; perform calculations; loop over repeating data; format data/numbers and much more.

Step 4: Export the Final Document – Output the generated documents as PDF, DOCX, ODT, and TXT.

Interested in generating a Word document using Python? Read our blog on how to generate Word documents using Python: a step-by-step guide.

Perfect Doc Studio is a tool that offers automated Word document creation and can be integrated into a PHP workflow automation, especially ideal for non-technical users, simply because of how easy it is to handle and use. Try Perfect Doc Studio for free! It offers a low-code/no-code solution with data binding features and support for output to Word, HTML, and PDF formats. It adds more power and flexibility by expanding upon an intuitive interface, which makes it a good option for non-developers handling structured documents.

Conclusion:

Generating a Word document dynamically in PHP is now easier, all because of the specialized tools. Even if your project demands a robust open-source library, an advanced-level toolkit like Perfect Doc Studio, docmosis is the right choice that enables automation, professional formatting, and easy integration into any workflow. By following clear steps, even complex document generation can become approachable and efficient, ensuring users experience reliability and flexibility in their PHP applications.

FAQs

Yes, PHPWord supports using existing Word document templates (DOCX). You can add placeholders (like ${name}) in the template file. In your PHP code, use the setValue() method to replace those placeholders with actual data. This makes it easy to generate dynamic documents like invoices or reports. It’s a flexible and efficient way to work with templates in PHP.

To generate a Word document, go to the File tab in Microsoft Word. Click on New to start a new document. You can select Blank document or choose from available templates. You can also search for templates online by typing in the search box. Press Enter to load and start editing your document.

Yes, Notepad can be used to write and edit PHP files. It supports basic text editing, allowing you to create and save .php files. Students can use keyboard shortcuts to speed up their workflow. It also helps with simple file organization during projects. However, it doesn’t offer syntax highlighting or advanced features like other code editors.

To generate a Word document based on a template, open Microsoft Word and go to File > New. Then click on the Personal (or Custom) tab to view your saved templates. Select the template you want to use for your new document. Word will create a fresh copy based on that template, ready for editing. This helps maintain consistent formatting across multiple documents.

In Windows 10, custom Word templates are usually stored in a specific folder on your computer. To find them, paste %appdata%\Microsoft\Templates\ into the search bar (Cortana) and press Enter. This will open the folder where your personal templates are saved. In older versions of Windows, you can access this by clicking Start > Run and pasting the same path. This location stores templates you’ve created or downloaded for future use.