How To Create Standalone Application In Python

Looking to create an executable from Python script using pyinstaller?

If so, I'll show you the full steps to accomplish this goal in Windows.

Steps to Create an Executable from Python Script using Pyinstaller

Step 1: Add Python to Windows Path

To start, you may want to add Python to Windows path.

An easy way to add Python to the path is by downloading a recent version of Python, and then checking the box to 'Add Python to PATH' at the beginning of the installation:

install python

Step 2: Open the Windows Command Prompt

Next, open the Windows Command Prompt:

command prompt

Step 3: Install the Pyinstaller Package

In the Windows Command Prompt, type the following command to install the pyinstaller package (and then press Enter):

pip install pyinstaller

Step 4: Save your Python Script

Now you'll need to save your Python script at your desired location.

For illustration purposes, I created a simple Python script that will display 'Hello World!' when clicking the button:

import tkinter as tk  root= tk.Tk()  canvas1 = tk.Canvas(root, width = 300, height = 300) canvas1.pack()  def hello ():       label1 = tk.Label(root, text= 'Hello World!', fg='green', font=('helvetica', 12, 'bold'))     canvas1.create_window(150, 200, window=label1)      button1 = tk.Button(text='Click Me',command=hello, bg='brown',fg='white') canvas1.create_window(150, 150, window=button1)  root.mainloop()

I then saved the Python script in the following folder:

C:\Users\Ron\Desktop\MyPython

Where I named the Python script as 'hello'

Python Script

Step 5: Create the Executable using Pyinstaller

Now you'll be able to create the executable from the Python script using pyinstaller.

Simply go to the Command Prompt, and then type:

cd followed by the location where your Python script is stored

In my case, I typed the following in the command prompt:

cd C:\Users\Ron\Desktop\MyPython

This is how my command looked like (don't forget to press Enter after you typed the location where the Python script is stored on your computer):

Command Prompt Windows

Next, use the following template to create the executable:

pyinstaller --onefile pythonScriptName.py

Since in our example, the pythonScriptNameis 'hello', then the command to create the executable is:

pyinstaller --onefile hello.py

In the command prompt:

Create Executable from Python Script using Pyinstaller

Once you're done, press Enter for the last time.

Step 6: Run the Executable

Your executable should now get created at the location that you specified.

In my case, I went back to the location where I originally stored the 'hello' script (C:\Users\Ron\Desktop\MyPython). Few additional files got created at that location. To find the executable file, open the dist folder:

Executable Pyinstaller

Now you'll see the executable file:

How to Create Executable from Python Script using Pyinstaller

Once you click on the file, you should be able to launch your program (if you get an error message, you may need to install Visual C++ Redistributable).

For our example, once you click on the 'hello' executable, you'll see the following display with a single button:

Create Executable using Pyinstaller

If you click on the button, you'll see the expression of 'Hello World!'

Create Executable from Python Script using Pyinstaller

You can read more about pyinstaller by visiting the pyinstaller manual.