How to compile multiple python files into single .exe file using pyinstaller

Question

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?

You can follow this steps:stackoverflow.com/a/37140662/5114581 — Rohit Salunke

DFE DFE · Accepted Answer · 2017-07-20T09:31:17

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.

How to compile multiple python files into single .exe file using pyinstaller

3 Answers