I created atlas-status.docx in the working folder and reopened it with python-docx to check the structure. I didn't check how it looks on the page.
What I confirmed from the reopened file
- Page size: A4, 21.0 × 29.7 cm.
- Title and headings: The title uses the Title style, followed by a "Prepared for the Steering Group" line. The three section headings (Summary, Milestones, Key Risks) use Heading 1.
- Summary: One paragraph.
- Table: A real Word table with a bold header row (Milestone, Owner, Due date, Status) and 4 milestone rows. The heading says "(sample data)" and a caption under the table says the rows are illustrative. Owners are placeholders ("A. Example" and so on), and the dates and statuses are made up.
- Risks: 3 items in the List Bullet style.
- Header and footer: The header reads "Project Atlas". The footer holds "Page" followed by a PAGE field.
What I didn't check
- Page numbers: The number is a field, so it only displays when you open the file in Word. I confirmed the field exists, not what it shows.
- Layout and page count: LibreOffice isn't installed here, so I couldn't convert to PDF. I can't say how the document looks or how many pages it runs to.
Before circulating: replace the sample milestone rows and the risk wording with real project content. The summary paragraph is generic text I wrote, since you gave no project details.
Files: the build script is scripts/build_docx.py and the check script is scripts/verify_docx.py, both in the working folder. My first attempt put the script in /tmp, which the sandbox blocked, so I used scripts/ instead.
Test run: a fictional status report built with python-docx 1.2.0 in a temporary folder. The run was allowed to write files and run python3 only. The model re-opened the file and checked page size, styles, the table, the bullets, the header and the page-number field. LibreOffice was not installed, so layout and page count were not checked. All content is sample.
What it does
Writes and runs a Python script that builds or changes a .docx so it stays clean and editable. New documents use real headings, lists and tables from styles instead of manual formatting. Edits to an existing file start with an outline, change only what you asked, keep the template's styles, headers and footers, and save under a new name. It can also extract text and structure. Page numbers and tables of contents are Word fields, so it adds the field and tells you they fill in when the file is opened in Word. After saving it re-opens the file and reports what it checked: page size, headings in order, tables, bullets, header and footer.
Output
The .docx file, the script that made it, a verification report, what was not checked, and any placeholders you need to fill.
Good for
Reports, memos, letters and templated documents generated or edited from data, without opening Word by hand.
Medium risk: instructions only, no scripts of its own, but it writes and runs Python that creates files in your working folder and may suggest installing python-docx in a virtual environment. It never overwrites your original and creates no macros or external fetches. Test-run once in a temporary folder with sample content: it built a status report and re-opened it to check structure; layout and page numbers were not checked because LibreOffice was missing. Check the file in Word before sending it. Original by AIBars (MIT).