[Tut] Python to .exe – How to Make a Python Script Executable?

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[Tut] Python to .exe – How to Make a Python Script Executable? - xSicKxBot - 03-13-2023

Python to .exe – How to Make a Python Script Executable?

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I have a confession to make. I use Windows for coding Python.

[Image: image.gif]

This means that I often need to run my practical coding projects as Windows

Code:
.exe

files, especially if I work with non-technical clients that don’t know how to run a Python file.

In this tutorial, I’ll share my learnings on making a Python file executable and converting them to an

Code:
.exe

so that they can be run by double-click.

PyInstaller

[Image: image-140.png]

To make a Python script executable as a

Code:
.exe

file on Windows, use a tool like

Code:
pyinstaller

. PyInstaller runs on Windows 8 and newer.

Pyinstaller is a popular package that bundles a Python application and its dependencies into a single package, including an

Code:
.exe

file that can be run on Windows without requiring a Python installation.

Here are the general steps to create an executable file from your Python script using Pyinstaller:

Install Pyinstaller by opening a command prompt and running the command:
Code:
pip install pyinstaller
or
Code:
pip3 install pyinstaller
depending on your Python version.
Navigate to the directory where your Python script is located in the command prompt using
Code:
cd
(command line) or
Code:
ls
(PowerShell).
Run the command:
Code:
pyinstaller --onefile your_script_name.py
. This command creates a single executable file of your Python script with all its dependencies included.
After the command completes, you can find the executable file in a subdirectory called
Code:
dist
.
You can now distribute the executable file to users, who can run it on their Windows machines by double-clicking the
Code:
.exe
file.

What Does the –onefile Option Mean?

The

Code:
--onefile

file specifier is an option for Pyinstaller that tells it to package your Python script and all its dependencies into a single executable file.

By default, Pyinstaller will create a directory called

Code:
dist

that contains your script and a set of related files that it needs to run. However, using the

Code:
--onefile

option, Pyinstaller will generate a single

Code:
.exe

file, which is more convenient for the distribution and deployment of the application.

1-Paragraph Summary

To convert a Python file

Code:
my_script.py

to an executable

Code:
my_script.exe

using Pyinstaller, install Pyinstaller using

Code:
pip install pyinstaller

, navigate to the script directory in the command prompt, run

Code:
pyinstaller --onefile my_script.py

, then locate the executable file in the

Code:
dist

folder.

If you want to keep improving your coding skills, check out our free Python cheat sheets!