How to Create a Python Popup Using ctypes, easygui, and Poper (Step-by-Step Guide)

I’m always looking for ways to make user interaction smoother and more effective. Popups can be a powerful tool, but they need to be implemented thoughtfully.

Here are a few methods I recommend, from simple Python scripts to integrating with your web projects using Poper.

What is a Python Popup?

A Python popup is a small window that appears on the user’s screen to display a message, ask for input, or provide notifications. These popups can be used in desktop applications using libraries like ctypes or easygui, or in web applications by integrating tools like Poper to dynamically engage users.

Creating Python Popups with ctypes

The ctypes library is a built-in Python module that allows you to call functions from C-compatible libraries. This gives you access to lower-level system functionality, including displaying message boxes.

Step 1: Import the ctypes Library

Start by importing ctypes into your Python script. This makes the necessary functions available.

import ctypes

Step 2: Call the MessageBoxW Function

This function is part of the Windows API, so this approach is specific to Windows systems. We're going to use it to display the popup.

ctypes.windll.user32.MessageBoxW(0, "Your text", "Your title", 1)

Let’s break down the arguments of MessageBoxW:

Step 3: Customize the Popup Style

The last number (in the example above, 1) determines the buttons displayed on the popup. Here’s a breakdown:

You can also add icons by adding the following values to the button style number:

For example, if you want to display a warning popup with an "OK" button, use 16:

ctypes.windll.user32.MessageBoxW(0, "This is from Poper", "Warning", 16)

Creating Python Popups with easygui

easygui is a Python module that makes it incredibly easy to create simple GUI interfaces like popups. It's great for quick scripts where you need basic user interaction.

Step 1: Install easygui

First, you'll need to install the easygui library. You can do this using pip:

pip install easygui

Step 2: Import the easygui Library

Import easygui into your Python script.

import easygui

Step 3: Use the Popup Functions

easygui offers several functions for creating different types of popups:

easygui.ynbox('Shall I continue?', 'Title', ('Yes', 'No'))

This displays a popup with the message "Shall I continue?", the title "Title", and Yes/No buttons. It returns `True` if the user clicks "Yes" and `False` if they click "No".

easygui.msgbox('This is from Poper.', 'Title')

This displays a popup with the message "This is a basic message box." and the title "Title Goes Here". It returns "OK" when the user clicks the "OK" button.

easygui.buttonbox('Click on your favorite flavor.', 'Favorite Flavor', ('Chocolate', 'Vanilla', 'Strawberry'))

This displays a popup with the message "Click on your favorite flavor.", the title "Favorite Flavor", and buttons labeled "Chocolate", "Vanilla", and "Strawberry". It returns the text of the button that the user clicked.

Using Python Popups for Websites Built in Flask or Django

If you're building websites with Flask or Django, Poper can be a powerful tool for adding engaging popups. This allows you to handle popups through a user-friendly interface without directly coding them into your web application.

Step 1: Create a Poper Account

Signup to get started.

Step 2: Add Your Domain

Once you're logged in, add the domain of your website to Poper. This will allow Poper to track and manage popups on your site.

Step 3: Create a New Popup

Click the "New Popup" button and choose "Choose from Templates" to get started quickly.

Step 4: Select a Template

Browse the templates and select one that matches your campaign goal. For example, if you're promoting a 20% discount, select the "Sales Offer" template. You can also create a custom popup from scratch if you prefer.

Step 5: Customize the Popup

Use the popup editor to customize the design. You can change fonts, colors, images, and text to match your branding.

Step 6: Configure Display Conditions

Click "Next" to go to the "Display Conditions" page. Here, you can set triggers for when the popup should appear, such as:

You can also target specific pages, audience demographics, and more. This ensures your popup is shown to the right people at the right time.

Step 7: Save and Publish

Once you're satisfied with your popup and display conditions, save and publish it.

Step 8: Get the Poper Code

Go to your Poper Dashboard, click on "Code," and then "Custom Code." Copy the provided code snippet.

Step 9: Paste the Code into Your Website

Paste the copied code snippet into the <head> section of your website's HTML. If you're using Flask or Django, this typically involves editing the base template or the specific template where you want the popup to appear.

Step 10: Save and Test

Save the changes to your website's HTML and test the popup to ensure it's working correctly.

Comparison of Python Popup Methods: ctypes vs. easygui vs. Poper

Best Practices for Python Popups