How to Modify Dolibarr Invoices

Dolibarr is an open-source ERP and CRM. When we needed to change the design and text of its invoices, there were two options: edit the ODT template file, or edit the PHP code directly. As PHP developers, we chose the PHP route, and this guide shares what we learned.

Getting started: the file you need

All the changes are made in one PHP file. On our server it was:

/public_html/db/core/modules/facture/doc/pdf_crabe.modules.php

The path depends on your installation. Make a backup copy before you edit it.

How to change the date format

To show dates as DD/MM/YYYY instead of MM/DD/YYYY, write a small helper that swaps the first two parts, and wrap the existing date output in it:

function _changeDateFormat($date) {
    $parts = explode("/", $date);
    return $parts[1] . "/" . $parts[0] . "/" . $parts[2];
}

This assumes the date always has three parts separated by slashes.

How to change or insert text

Text passed to $outputlangs->transnoentities is what gets printed, so to change a label, find its string in the code and replace it. To add new text, use the MultiCell method:

$pdf->MultiCell($widthrecbox, 5, "Your Text Here", 0, 'L');

Formatting, styling and layout

Font size

$pdf->SetFont('', '', $default_font_size - 1);

Draw a rectangle

The four parameters are the X position, Y position, width and height.

$pdf->Rect($posx, $posy, $widthrecbox, $hautcadre);

Set the position

$pdf->SetXY($posx+2, $posy-5);

Fill and text colors

$pdf->SetFillColor(224, 224, 224);
$pdf->SetTextColor(0, 0, 60);

Keep your changes safe

Core files are overwritten when you upgrade Dolibarr. Keep a copy of your changes, or move them into a custom module. If you need a tailored ERP or CRM solution, see our custom software development services.