Report generation (notebooks to HTML/PDF) in Data Analysis Python - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

What is the output of this nbconvert command?

Given a Jupyter notebook file named analysis.ipynb, what will be the result of running this command in the terminal?

jupyter nbconvert --to html analysis.ipynb

A Converts the notebook to a PDF file named <code>analysis.pdf</code> using LaTeX.

B Runs the notebook and saves the output cells back into <code>analysis.ipynb</code>.

C Generates an HTML file named <code>analysis.html</code> with the notebook content rendered as a webpage.

D Starts a Jupyter server and opens <code>analysis.ipynb</code> in a browser.

💡 Hint

The --to option specifies the output format for nbconvert.

The command jupyter nbconvert --to html analysis.ipynb converts the notebook into an HTML file named analysis.html. It does not produce PDF or run the notebook.

❓ data_output

intermediate

What file is created by this nbconvert command?

You run this command:

jupyter nbconvert --to pdf report.ipynb

What is the expected output file?

A A PDF file named <code>report.pdf</code> generated from the notebook.

B An HTML file named <code>report.html</code> generated from the notebook.

C A Python script named <code>report.py</code> extracted from the notebook.

D No file is created; this command only checks the notebook syntax.

💡 Hint

The --to pdf option converts the notebook to PDF format.

The --to pdf option tells nbconvert to create a PDF file from the notebook. The output file has the same base name but with .pdf extension.

🔧 Debug

advanced

Why does this nbconvert PDF conversion fail?

You run:

jupyter nbconvert --to pdf data_analysis.ipynb

But get an error about missing LaTeX installation. What is the cause?

A The system does not have a LaTeX distribution installed, which is required for PDF conversion.

B The notebook file <code>data_analysis.ipynb</code> is corrupted and cannot be read.

C The <code>--to pdf</code> option is deprecated and no longer supported.

D The command requires internet connection to convert to PDF.

💡 Hint

PDF conversion via nbconvert uses LaTeX under the hood.

Nbconvert converts notebooks to PDF by first converting to LaTeX and then compiling it. Without a LaTeX distribution installed (like TeX Live or MiKTeX), this process fails.

🚀 Application

advanced

How to automate report generation from notebooks?

You want to automatically convert multiple Jupyter notebooks in a folder to HTML reports every day. Which approach is best?

A Rename all notebooks to <code>.html</code> extension and open them in a browser.

B Manually open each notebook and export to HTML using the Jupyter interface.

C Use <code>jupyter notebook</code> command with <code>--to html</code> option to start a server that auto-converts notebooks.

D Write a Python script that uses <code>nbconvert</code> API to convert all notebooks and schedule it with a cron job.

💡 Hint

Automation requires scripting and scheduling.

Using the nbconvert Python API in a script allows batch conversion. Scheduling with cron or task scheduler automates daily runs. Manual or renaming approaches do not automate.

🧠 Conceptual

expert

What is a key limitation of nbconvert PDF export?

Which of these is a common limitation when converting Jupyter notebooks to PDF using nbconvert?

A The PDF output always includes the notebook's source code hidden by default.

B Complex notebook outputs like interactive widgets or JavaScript do not render in the PDF.

C Nbconvert requires an internet connection to convert notebooks to PDF.

D PDF conversion automatically removes all markdown cells.

💡 Hint

Think about static vs interactive content.

PDF is a static format. Interactive elements like widgets or JavaScript cannot be rendered in PDF output. Nbconvert includes source code by default but can be configured. Internet is not required. Markdown cells are included.