PyInstaller failing to include some modules from C:\Python27\Lib

Question

I\'ve been repeatedly making good PyInstaller executables of a Tkinter utility program, and suddenly this morning the resulting executable fails with a \"can\'t import\" error f

Answer 1

I encounter similar issues while packaging a Python script imported openpyxl. Here is my solution.

Step 1: install the python module, openpyxl

$ wine python.exe Scripts/pip.exe install openpyxl

Step 2: add the openpyxl path

Append the openpyxl path (~/.wine/drive_c/Python27/Lib/site-packages) to pathex in the Analysis object in the application spec file (e.g.,ProcessSpreadsheet.spec).

a = Analysis(['ProcessSpreadsheet.py'],
             pathex=['C:\\Python27\\Scripts', '~/.wine/drive_c/Python27/Lib/site-packages'],
             binaries=None,
             datas=None,
             hiddenimports=[],
             hookspath=[],
             runtime_hooks=[],
             excludes=[],
             win_no_prefer_redirects=False,
             win_private_assemblies=False,
             cipher=block_cipher)

Step 3: rebuild

$ wine pyinstaller.exe ProcessSpreadsheet.spec

Refer to here for the detailed description.

Answer 2

For unix/linux users, make sure the that you are referencing the same packages when compiling as the application do. This issue mainly occurs when using a virtual environment. For that purpose spot the installed package folder and edit the myapp.spec. Then run

pyinstaller myapp.spec

Answer 3

Found a fix, if not the cause. Here's my updated build line:

pyinstaller --hidden-import=timeit --hidden-import=bisect -F MyMainModule.py

Still not sure why PyInstaller suddenly forgot how to find these two modules (and only these two modules) among over 20 other modules correctly included in the build.