CandidPDFTable (Candid PDF Table Builder) is a deterministic, colspan-aware table builder designed specifically for TCPDF. It provides a clean and predictable API to construct HTML tables for TCPDF::writeHTML() using explicit, cell-owned borders and late-stage layout computation. The library is built for programmatic table generation where precise control over rows, columns, colspans, borders, and serial numbering is essential.
Building complex tables directly in TCPDF becomes difficult once HTML is rendered. CandidPDFTable solves this by adopting a cell-centric model where each cell independently owns its borders and styles. It supports colspan-aware addressing, avoids implicit or shared borders, computes widths and layout only at render time, and ensures fully deterministic and predictable behavior.
Requirements: PHP 7.4 or higher and TCPDF available at runtime.
Installation: composer require hadleen/candid-pdf-table
Render Lifecycle: Layout is resolved only during render.
Features
- Deterministic, programmatic table generation for TCPDF
- Colspan-aware row and column addressing
- Cell-centric design where each cell owns its borders and styles
- No implicit or shared borders between cells
- Late-stage layout and width computation during render
- Predictable and consistent output across renders
- Designed for complex, structured PDF tables
- Clean and minimal API for TCPDF::writeHTML() integration
- Ideal for serial numbering, reports, invoices, and data tables