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

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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.



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



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:

1. 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.
   
   
2. Navigate to the directory where your Python script is located in the command prompt using
   Code:

   cd
   (command line) or
   Code:

   ls
   (PowerShell).
   
   
3. 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.
   
   
4. After the command completes, you can find the executable file in a subdirectory called
   Code:

   dist
   .
   
   
5. 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!