I have created a GUI (using Tkinter) in python and this runs python files on click of a button from GUI using os.system('python_file.py'). I wanted to bundle all these python files into single .exe file using pyinstaller by keeping the Tkinter file as main.

I created the .exe file by doing the following in command line:

pyinstaller --debug --onefile --noupx tkinter_app.py

Currently my .spec file looks like this:

# -*- mode: python -*-

block_cipher = None

a = Analysis(['tkinter_app.py'],pathex=['C:\\test'],binaries=[],datas=[],
hiddenimports=[],hookspath=[],runtime_hooks=[],excludes=[], win_no_prefer_redirects=False,
win_private_assemblies=False, cipher=block_cipher)

pyz = PYZ(a.pure, a.zipped_data, cipher=block_cipher)

exe = EXE(pyz, a.scripts, a.binaries, a.zipfiles, a.datas, name='tkinter_app', debug=True, strip=False, upx=False,console=True )

I'm not sure how to include the other python files in the above .spec file so that the whole application works. Can someone please help?

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up vote 0 down vote accepted

The best way is to use the array datas

For example like this:

a = Analysis(['.\\main.py'],
             pathex=['.'],
             binaries=None,
             datas=[ ('.\\Ressources\\i18n', 'i18n'),
             ('.\\Ressources\\file1.py', '.')],
             hiddenimports=[],
             hookspath=[],
             runtime_hooks=[],
             excludes=[],
             win_no_prefer_redirects=False,
             win_private_assemblies=False,
             cipher=block_cipher)

Note: Make sure to put it in the right relative path so your program will be able to access it

Edit: Given your error message, the problem is not in packaging with PyInstaller but in os.system command.

os.system is equivalent to opening a DOS command window and typping your command python_file.py

To access your python files, you have to know:

  • PyInstaller unpack your packed files in a temporary folder that you can access in sys._MEIPASS (only works from the .exe)
  • os.system can be used to launch python given the complete path to the file like this: os.system("python " + os.path.join(sys._MEIPASS, "python_file.py"))

    But be carefull, this will only work if python is installed on the system (and included in syspath) and from the exe. Executing directly your python file will send exception.

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  • Thanks for your answer. I'm still not able to run the supporting python files from GUI by making the changes suggested. I get a error like 'file1.py is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file'. SPEC FILE: a = Analysis(['C:\\Python27\\Scripts\\tkinter_app.py'], pathex=['.'], binaries=None, datas=[('C:\\Python27\\Tools\\i18n','i18n'), ('C:\\Python27\\Scripts\\file1.py','.'), ('C:\\Python27\\Scripts\\file2.py','.'), ('C:\\Python27\\Scripts\\file3.py','.'), ('C:\\Python27\\Scripts\\file4.py','.'), ('C:\\Python27\\Scripts\\file5.py','.'), ..... – sar678 Jul 21 '17 at 9:28
  • This works perfectly when python is installed in my computer. How can we run this application in computers where python is not installed? – sar678 Jul 26 '17 at 11:42
  • pack your python_file.py script into a function (called python_file() for example) and call it from your main script instead of os.system. – DFE Jul 27 '17 at 8:56
  • How do I include python libraries (numpy, pandas) when compiling using pyinstaller. As i'm running supporting python files using os.system, the libraries in these files are not being included in the exe file – sar678 Aug 3 '17 at 13:30
  • hiddenimports=[] is the key – DFE Aug 4 '17 at 14:18