FillODT.exe

FillODT is a command-line utility that processes an ODT (Open Document Text) template containing placeholders like @@name and [@@name (W|*) (H|*)]. It replaces these placeholders with values from a provided JSON or XML file, generating a new ODT file with all substitutions applied (see example).

• Supports text, simple HTML fragments, images and QRCode generation.
• Handles array data for table row expansion.
• Allows image sizing.
• Can output to PDF (requires LibreOffice).
• Includes options for overwriting, empty placeholder replacement, and sanitizing ODT.
• Conditional annotation regions: If the ODT template contains an annotation with a key placeholder (e.g. <office:annotation>@@show_section</office:annotation> ... <office:annotation-end/>), and the corresponding key in your data does not resolve to true, the entire annotated region (including the annotation, its content, and the annotation-end) will be removed from the generated document.
• If the data file contains the incomplete key set to 1, the generated document's filename will have two underscores appended before the extension (for example, document__.pdf). This indicates that the document is incomplete.

Download the latest Windows executable

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Real-world Usage

FillODT is used as a backend tool in web servers to generate PDFs on demand for business documents such as:

• Shipping labels
• Plates
• Certificates
• Datasheets
• Picking lists
• ...and more

This makes it ideal for automated document workflows, e-commerce, logistics, and manufacturing applications where dynamic PDF generation is required.

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Image placeholder syntax

To indicate that a placeholder represents an image, wrap the key in square brackets: [@@name]. You can control the image size using the syntax [@@name (W|*) (H|*)], where W and H are the width and height in centimeters. Use * to automatically scale the dimension based on the image's aspect ratio. If no size is specified, the default is [@@name * 2.54] (height of 2.54 cm, width auto). The value for an image placeholder can be any of the following:

• A local file:
  Specify a path to an image file on disk.

  "myphoto": "./media/photo.png"

• A URL (https):
  Provide an HTTPS URL to an image. The image will be downloaded automatically.

  "myimage": "https://example.com/image.jpg"

• A QR code:
  Use the qrcode:// prefix followed by the text or URL you want encoded. FillODT will generate a QR code image.

  "myqrcode": "qrcode://https://example.com"

Run the App

$ FillODT.exe --template template.odt --json data.json --destfile output.odt

Usage

FillODT.exe --template <template.odt> --json <data.json> --destfile <output.odt> [options]
FillODT.exe --template <template.odt> --xml <data.xml> --destfile <output.odt> [options]

You must provide a data source using either a JSON file (--json data.json) or an XML file (--xml data.xml). Both template and data files can be specified as local paths or remote URLs.

Options:

Option	Description
--overwrite	Overwrite the output file if it exists.
--pdf	Also generate a PDF (requires LibreOffice).
--novalue <text>	Replace any unreplaced placeholders with the given text.
--sanitize	Remove useless <text:style> introduced in the ODT during editing. FillODT should be run in sanitize mode on a ODT template after it has been edited.

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Example

FillODT.exe --template template.odt --json data.json --destfile output.odt --pdf

See template.odt, data.json and output.pdf

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Print Capabilities

FillODT can send the generated PDF directly to a printer, supporting both standard and thermal printers.

How It Works

• Use the --print "<printer name>" option to send the output PDF to a printer after generation.
• FillODT automatically detects if the printer is a thermal printer (e.g., Zebra, Bixolon) and optimizes the PDF using Ghostscript if needed.
• Printer profiles and advanced options (copies, duplex, color mode, paper size, etc.) can be configured in printers.json.

Example Usage

FillODT.exe --template [template.odt](http://_vscodecontentref_/0) --json [data.json](http://_vscodecontentref_/1) --destfile output.odt --print "HP LaserJet M1536"

Printer Configuration Example

Here is an example of a printer configuration that can be used with FillODT:

{
  "label": "Test HP M1536",
  "printerName": "HP LaserJet M1536",
  "ghostscriptProfile": "/screen",
  "optimizePdf": true,
  "copies": 1,
  "paperSize": "A4",
  "docType": "Test",
  "driverConfig": {
    "duplex": true,
    "colorMode": "black-and-white"
  }
}

For custom label sizes, FillODT automatically translates sizes like "4x6" to the correct printer settings.

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License

This project is licensed under the MIT License. See the LICENSE file for details.

This project was developed with the assistance of GitHub Copilot.

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