How to Install Customtkinter: Step-by-Step Guide for Various IDEs

Customtkinter is a powerful library that extends the functionality of the standard Tkinter library in Python, allowing you to create custom and highly interactive graphical user interfaces (GUIs). In this tutorial, we will explore how to install customtkinter on various Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) and provide solutions to common installation issues.

Installing Customtkinter on Python IDLE:

Python IDLE is a popular IDE that comes bundled with Python installations. Follow these steps to install customtkinter on Python IDLE:

1. Open your Python IDLE.
2. Click on “File” and then “New File” to create a new Python file.
3. In the new file, enter the following command to install customtkinter:

pip install customtkinter

4. Press “Enter” to execute the command.
5. Once the installation is complete, you can import customtkinter in your Python programs using the import customtkinter statement.

Installing Customtkinter on PyCharm:

PyCharm is a popular cross-platform IDE for Python development. To install customtkinter on PyCharm, follow these steps.

1. Open PyCharm and create a new Python project or open an existing one.
2. Open the terminal within PyCharm.
3. In the terminal, execute the following command to install customtkinter:

pip install customtkinter

4. Wait for the installation to complete.
5. Once installed, you can import customtkinter in your PyCharm projects using the import customtkinter statement.

If you get any “Permission denied” or “Access denied” error during installation, run PyCharm as an administrator or use elevated privileges during the installation process.

Installing libraries through PyCharm’s GUI:

In addition to using the terminal, PyCharm also provides a user-friendly graphical interface to install libraries. Here’s how you can install customtkinter through PyCharm’s GUI:

1. Open your Python project in PyCharm.
2. Click on “File” -> “Settings” (or “Preferences” on macOS) to open the Settings/Preferences window.
3. In the left-hand panel, navigate to “Project” -> “Project Interpreter.”
4. In the Project Interpreter section, click on the “+” button to add a new package.
5. In the “Available Packages” search field, type “customtkinter.”
6. Select “customtkinter” from the list of available packages.
7. Click on the “Install Package” button to start the installation process.
8. Wait for PyCharm to download and install the customtkinter package.
9. Once the installation is complete, you can import customtkinter in your PyCharm projects using the import customtkinter statement.

Installing Customtkinter on Visual Studio Code (VS Code):

Visual Studio Code is a lightweight and versatile IDE with excellent Python support. Here’s how to install customtkinter on VS Code (same as the Python IDLE)

1. Launch VS Code and open your Python project or create a new one.
2. Open the terminal within VS Code.
3. In the terminal, execute the following command to install customtkinter:

pip install customtkinter

4. Wait for the installation to complete.
5. Once installed, you can import customtkinter in your VS Code projects using the import customtkinter statement.

Common Problems and Fixes:

Here are a few common issues faced by users when installing python libraries such as customtkinter.

Problem: “pip command not recognized.”

Solution: This problem often occurs when the pip command is not recognized by your system. Here are a few possible solutions:

1. Verify Python Installation: Ensure that Python is installed correctly on your system. Sometimes, the Python installation may not include pip by default. Reinstalling Python with the “Add Python to PATH” option selected usually resolves this issue.
2. Check PATH Environment Variable: Confirm that Python and pip are added to your system’s PATH environment variable. The PATH variable allows the operating system to locate executable files. To check this:
   • On Windows: Open the Start menu, search for “Environment Variables,” and open the “Edit the system environment variables” option. In the System Properties window, click on the “Environment Variables” button. Look for the “Path” variable under the “System variables” section and make sure it includes the paths to the Python and pip executables.
   • On macOS/Linux: Open a terminal and enter the following command to check the PATH variable: echo $PATH
   • Ensure that the PATH variable includes the paths to the Python and pip executables.
3. Use Full Path to pip: If the pip command is still not recognized, you can try using the full path to the pip executable. For example, instead of using “pip install customtkinter,” you would use something like “C:\Python\Scripts\pip install customtkinter” on Windows or “/usr/local/bin/pip install customtkinter” on macOS/Linux. The exact file path will vary based on where your installation folder is located. First verify the installation folder location, adjust the commands if needed, then execute it.
4. Use Python Launcher: On some systems, the Python Launcher can help manage different Python versions and their associated packages. Try running the pip command using the Python Launcher by prefixing it with “py -m.” For example, you would use “py -m pip install customtkinter” instead of “pip install customtkinter.”

Problem: “No module named ‘customtkinter’ found.”

Solution: If you encounter this error message, it indicates that the customtkinter module was not installed correctly. Here are some steps to resolve the issue:

1. Verify Installation Command: Double-check that you have executed the correct pip installation command for customtkinter. Ensure that there are no typos or misspellings in the command.
2. Reinstall customtkinter: If the installation command was correct but the module still cannot be found, try reinstalling customtkinter. Uninstall the existing installation using the command:

pip uninstall customtkinter

Then re-install it using:

pip install customtkinter

1. Check for Installation Errors: During the installation process, carefully check the output in the terminal for any error messages or warnings. Sometimes, issues such as network connectivity, package conflicts, or missing dependencies can cause installation problems.
2. Create a Virtual Environment: Consider creating a virtual environment specifically for your project and install customtkinter within that environment. Virtual environments provide isolated Python environments, reducing the chances of conflicts with other packages or installations.

By following these solutions, you can overcome common installation problems and successfully install customtkinter on Python IDLE.

Once you have completed the installation successfully, head over to our main tutorial on custom tkinter to learn more about it.

This marks the end of the “How to install CustomTkinter” tutorial. Any suggestions or contributions for CodersLegacy are more than welcome. Questions regarding the tutorial content can be asked in the comments section below.