Proforma Invoice Generator - Web Application

The Proforma Invoice Generator is a React-powered web tool designed to build, view, and save invoices in PDF format. It connects user inputs with automated calculations for totals, taxes, and summaries, offering a simple interface for handling billing details specific to engineering and tech services.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Design
• Tools Used
• Installation Guide
• File Organization
• Screens and Elements
• User Verification
• Data Handling
• Validation
• Hosting
• Issue Resolution
• Protection Measures
• Upcoming Enhancements
• Assistance

Introduction

This web app facilitates the creation of proforma invoices, allowing entry of client info, items, charges, and automatic computation of sums including VAT. Built with React for interactive elements, Vite for quick builds, and react-to-pdf for document export. Highlights include:

• Form-based data entry with expandable item lists.
• Real-time previews of invoice layouts.
• PDF generation matching custom formats.
• Support for currency formatting and tax rates.

Design

Elements

• React Framework: Constructs the single-page app using modular parts.
• CSS Styling: Applies custom rules for layout and appearance.
• PDF Export: Utilizes react-to-pdf to convert views to files.
• Data Flow: Employs hooks for state and form management.
• Visuals: Includes company branding and table displays.

Folder Layout

invoice-generator/
├── public/           # Public assets (e.g., icons)
├── src/              # Core code
│   ├── assets/       # Images and media
│   ├── components/   # Shared UI pieces (e.g., InvoiceForm.tsx)
│   ├── App.tsx       # Central component
│   ├── index.css     # Global styles
│   └── main.tsx      # Startup file
├── index.html        # Base HTML
├── package.json      # Dependencies list
├── tsconfig.json     # TypeScript settings
├── tsconfig.node.json# Vite TypeScript config
└── vite.config.ts    # Build config

Tools Used

• React: v18.3.1 - UI construction.
• Vite: v5.4.1 - Development server and bundler.
• react-to-pdf: v1.0.1 - PDF creation from components.
• TypeScript: v5.5.3 - Type safety.

Installation Guide

1. Download the code:

   git clone https://github.com/your-repo/invoice-generator
   cd invoice-generator

2. Add packages:

   npm install

3. Configure settings in .env if needed (none required by default).
4. Launch locally:

   npm run dev

5. View at http://localhost:5173.

File Organization

The app uses a modular setup:

• Shared Elements: InvoiceForm for inputs, InvoicePreview for displays.
• Main Logic: App.tsx manages previews and exports.
• Styles: index.css defines visuals consistently.
• Data: Local state tracks invoice details.

Screens and Elements

• Main Screen: Form for details, preview area, and export button.
• Form Component: Handles entries like numbers, dates, items.
• Preview Component: Shows formatted output with tables and totals.

User Verification

No authentication implemented; suitable for local or single-user scenarios.

Data Handling

• React Hooks: useState for form data, usePDF for exports.
• Calculations: Reduces arrays for sums, applies 18% VAT.

Validation

• Configuration: Add testing tools if desired:

  npm install --save-dev @testing-library/react jest

• Execute checks:

  npm test

  Covers rendering and interactions.

Hosting

1. Build Locally:

   npm run build

   Produces files in dist/.
2. Check Build:

   npm run preview

3. Rollout: Upload dist/ to platforms like Vercel or GitHub Pages. No backend needed.

Issue Resolution

• Form Errors: Shown via browser alerts.
• Export Issues: Log to console for debugging.

Protection Measures

• Input Checks: Browser validation on forms.
• No External Data: Client-side only, minimal risks.

Upcoming Enhancements

• Add item deletion options.
• Support multiple currencies.
• Include print optimizations.

Assistance

For support, refer to the repository's issue tracker or contact the maintainer via the provided channels in the repository.