FPDF MultiCell() in PHP for Wrapped Multi-line Text

FPDF MultiCell() displays text across one or more lines inside a fixed width. When the text reaches the available width, FPDF automatically wraps the remaining text onto the next line.

This makes MultiCell useful when the length of the text is not known in advance. A normal Cell() does not automatically wrap long text.

$pdf->MultiCell(width,line_height,text,border,align,fill);

FPDF MultiCell() Syntax and Parameters Top ↑

$pdf->MultiCell(w,h,txt,border,align,fill);

Difference between FPDF Cell() and MultiCell() Top ↑

The following example displays similar text first with Cell() and then with MultiCell().

<?php
require 'fpdf.php';

$pdf=new FPDF();
$pdf->AddPage();
$pdf->SetFont('Arial','B',16);

$pdf->SetX(50);
$pdf->Cell(
    60,
    10,
    'This is Cell - Welcome to plus2net.com',
    1,
    1,
    'L',
    false
);

$pdf->Ln(20);
$pdf->SetX(50);

$pdf->MultiCell(
    60,
    10,
    'This is MultiCell - Welcome to plus2net.com',
    'LRTB',
    'L',
    false
);

$pdf->Output('I','my_file.pdf');

Understanding the Height of MultiCell() Top ↑

The second parameter supplied to MultiCell() controls the height of each line.

$pdf->MultiCell(
    60,
    10,
    'Long text that may wrap to several lines',
    1,
    'L'
);

If the text occupies one line, the vertical space is approximately 10 units. If it wraps to two lines, the MultiCell consumes approximately 20 units. With three lines it consumes approximately 30 units.

Total vertical space = number of rendered lines x line height

This behavior is different from Cell(), where the text remains on a single line even when it is longer than the Cell width.

Add Borders to MultiCell() Top ↑

The border parameter can draw all sides or selected sides of the MultiCell.

• 1 - border on all sides.
• 0 - no border.
• 'L' - left border only.
• 'RT' - right and top borders.
• 'BTL' - bottom, top and left borders.
• 'LRTB' - all four sides.

$pdf->MultiCell(
    100,
    10,
    'Text with selected borders',
    'LRT',
    'L'
);

FPDF MultiCell Text Alignment Top ↑

MultiCell supports the following common text alignment values:

• 'L' - left alignment.
• 'C' - center alignment.
• 'R' - right alignment.
• 'J' - justified text.

<?php
require 'fpdf.php';

$pdf=new FPDF();
$pdf->AddPage();
$pdf->SetFont('Arial','B',16);

$pdf->SetX(50);
$pdf->MultiCell(100,10,'Alignment = L',1,'L',false);

$pdf->Ln(10);
$pdf->SetX(50);
$pdf->MultiCell(100,10,'Alignment = R',1,'R',false);

$pdf->Ln(10);
$pdf->SetX(50);
$pdf->MultiCell(100,10,'Alignment = C',1,'C',false);

$pdf->Ln(10);
$pdf->SetX(50);
$pdf->MultiCell(
    100,
    10,
    'Longer text is useful when demonstrating justified alignment inside an FPDF MultiCell.',
    1,
    'J',
    false
);

$pdf->Output('I','my_file.pdf');

Add Background Fill Color to MultiCell() Top ↑

Use SetFillColor() to define the RGB background color and pass true as the final MultiCell parameter.

<?php
require 'fpdf.php';

$pdf=new FPDF();
$pdf->AddPage();
$pdf->SetFont('Arial','B',16);

$pdf->SetX(50);
$pdf->MultiCell(
    100,
    10,
    'Fill value is false',
    1,
    'C',
    false
);

$pdf->Ln(10);
$pdf->SetFillColor(1,255,255);
$pdf->SetX(50);
$pdf->MultiCell(
    100,
    10,
    'SetFillColor(1,255,255)',
    1,
    'C',
    true
);

$pdf->Ln(10);
$pdf->SetFillColor(255,255,1);
$pdf->SetX(50);
$pdf->MultiCell(
    100,
    10,
    'SetFillColor(255,255,1)',
    1,
    'C',
    true
);

$pdf->Ln(10);
$pdf->SetFillColor(255,1,255);
$pdf->SetX(50);
$pdf->MultiCell(
    100,
    10,
    'SetFillColor(255,1,255)',
    1,
    'C',
    true
);

$pdf->Output('I','my_file.pdf');

X and Y Position after MultiCell() Top ↑

MultiCell changes the current PDF cursor position differently from Cell.

• The Y coordinate moves down according to the number of lines rendered.
• After MultiCell finishes, the X coordinate returns to the current left margin.
• Use SetX(), SetXY() or margins when you need to position the next block manually.

The following example reads the current coordinates using GetX() and GetY().

<?php
require 'fpdf.php';

$pdf=new FPDF();

$pdf->SetLeftMargin(50);
$pdf->SetTopMargin(30);
$pdf->AddPage();
$pdf->SetFont('Arial','B',16);

$line_height=15;
$width=100;

for($i=1;$i<=3;$i++){
    $x=$pdf->GetX();
    $y=$pdf->GetY();

    $pdf->MultiCell(
        $width,
        $line_height,
        'Before MultiCell: X='.round($x).', Y='.round($y),
        'LRTB',
        'L',
        false
    );
}

$x=$pdf->GetX();
$y=$pdf->GetY();

$pdf->MultiCell(
    $width,
    $line_height,
    'X='.round($x).', Y='.round($y).
    ' - Extra text is added here so the content wraps onto another line and increases the final Y position.',
    'LRTB',
    'L',
    false
);

$pdf->Output('I','my_file.pdf');

We use the Plus2net PHP round() tutorial here to display shorter coordinate values.

Set Font Size relative to MultiCell Line Height Top ↑

FPDF does not automatically calculate the font size from the MultiCell height. However, for a controlled layout we can calculate a font size from the chosen line height.

$line_height=15;
$font_size=$line_height*0.75;

$pdf->SetFont(
    'Arial',
    'B',
    $font_size
);

A complete demonstration:

<?php
require 'fpdf.php';

$pdf=new FPDF();
$pdf->SetLeftMargin(50);
$pdf->SetTopMargin(30);
$pdf->AddPage();

$width=100;

$line_height=35;
$font_size=0.75*$line_height;
$pdf->SetFont('Arial','B',$font_size);
$pdf->MultiCell(
    $width,
    $line_height,
    'line height='.$line_height.', font size='.$font_size,
    'LRTB',
    'L',
    false
);

$line_height=25;
$font_size=0.75*$line_height;
$pdf->SetFont('Arial','B',$font_size);
$pdf->MultiCell(
    $width,
    $line_height,
    'line height='.$line_height.', font size='.$font_size,
    'LRTB',
    'L',
    false
);

$line_height=10;
$font_size=0.75*$line_height;
$pdf->SetFont('Arial','B',$font_size);
$pdf->MultiCell(
    $width,
    $line_height,
    'line height='.$line_height.', font size='.$font_size,
    'LRTB',
    'L',
    false
);

$pdf->Output('I','my_file.pdf');

Estimate Font Size from Text Length Top ↑

The existing Plus2net example also demonstrates a simple calculation based on text length, width and line height:

$cell_data="Welcome to plus2net, PHP section,
read more on how to generate PDF documents here";

$chars_no=strlen($cell_data);

$font_size=0.75*($width/$chars_no)*($line_height/5);

$pdf->SetFont('Arial','B',$font_size);

$pdf->MultiCell(
    $width,
    $line_height,
    $cell_data,
    'LRTB',
    'L',
    false
);

FPDF MultiCell() Video Tutorial Top ↑

Common Problems with FPDF MultiCell() Top ↑

Text still appears on only one line Top ↑

The text will wrap only when it requires more width than the MultiCell provides. Reduce the width or use a longer string to demonstrate wrapping.

The next element starts at the left margin Top ↑

This is normal MultiCell behavior. After MultiCell finishes, X returns to the current left margin. Use SetX() or SetXY() before drawing the next element if another horizontal position is required.

The MultiCell is taller than expected Top ↑

The height argument is the height of each line. When text wraps onto several lines, the total vertical space increases accordingly.

The background color is not displayed Top ↑

Call SetFillColor() and set the MultiCell fill argument to true.

Justified alignment is difficult to see Top ↑

Justification is most visible when the text wraps across multiple lines. A short single-line string does not demonstrate it well.

Font size calculated from strlen() is inaccurate Top ↑

strlen() counts characters but does not measure their rendered width. Characters such as W and i occupy different amounts of space, so character-count formulas should be treated as approximations.

Related FPDF Tutorials Top ↑

Frequently Asked Questions Top ↑

Subhendu Mohapatra

Author & Instructor at plus2net

I write and maintain practical tutorials on Python, PHP, SQL, JavaScript, HTML, jQuery, and web development at plus2net. The tutorials focus on clear explanations, working examples, and code that readers can test and adapt while learning.

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