DOCX — Cover Letters, Resumes, and Professional Documents

Creating Documents — python-docx (Primary)

python-docx is the primary tool. It's already available in the Creane environment.

from docx import Document
from docx.shared import Inches, Pt, RGBColor, Twips
from docx.enum.text import WD_ALIGN_PARAGRAPH
from docx.oxml import OxmlElement
from docx.oxml.ns import qn

Page Setup (Always Set Explicitly)

doc = Document()
section = doc.sections[0]
section.page_width   = Inches(8.5)   # US Letter
section.page_height  = Inches(11)
section.left_margin  = section.right_margin = Inches(1.0)
section.top_margin   = section.bottom_margin = Inches(1.0)

Cover Letter Pattern

Three paragraphs: hook (why this role + company), evidence (1-2 concrete wins with numbers), close (call to action). No filler, no "I am writing to express my interest."

from docx import Document
from docx.shared import Pt, Inches
from docx.enum.text import WD_ALIGN_PARAGRAPH
from datetime import date

doc = Document()
sec = doc.sections[0]
sec.page_width = Inches(8.5); sec.page_height = Inches(11)
for attr in ('left_margin','right_margin','top_margin','bottom_margin'):
    setattr(sec, attr, Inches(1.0))

def para(doc, text="", bold=False, size=11, after=6, align=WD_ALIGN_PARAGRAPH.LEFT):
    p = doc.add_paragraph()
    p.alignment = align
    p.paragraph_format.space_after = Pt(after)
    r = p.add_run(text)
    r.bold = bold
    r.font.size = Pt(size)
    return p

# Header
para(doc, "JANE DOE", bold=True, size=14)
para(doc, "[email protected]  |  (555) 123-4567  |  linkedin.com/in/janedoe")
para(doc)  # spacer

# Recipient block
para(doc, date.today().strftime("%B %d, %Y"))
para(doc)
para(doc, "Hiring Manager")
para(doc, "Cleveland Clinic")
para(doc)

# Salutation
para(doc, "Dear Hiring Manager,")
para(doc)

# Body — write real, tailored content here
para(doc, "[Hook: why this role at this company — specific, not generic.]")
para(doc)
para(doc, "[Evidence: one or two accomplishments with numbers. 'I reduced X by 20%', 'managed Y patients per shift', etc.]")
para(doc)
para(doc, "[Close: enthusiasm + call to action. Keep it short.]")
para(doc)

# Sign-off
para(doc, "Sincerely,")
para(doc)
para(doc, "Jane Doe")

doc.save("cover_letter.docx")

Resume Pattern (ATS-Safe)

ATS systems fail on: tables, text boxes, columns, graphics, headers/footers. Use plain paragraphs only.

from docx import Document
from docx.shared import Pt, Inches, RGBColor, Twips
from docx.enum.text import WD_ALIGN_PARAGRAPH
from docx.oxml import OxmlElement
from docx.oxml.ns import qn

doc = Document()
sec = doc.sections[0]
sec.page_width = Inches(8.5); sec.page_height = Inches(11)
for attr in ('left_margin','right_margin','top_margin','bottom_margin'):
    setattr(sec, attr, Inches(1.0))

BLUE = RGBColor(0x1F, 0x49, 0x7D)

def section_heading(doc, text):
    """Section label with a colored bottom border — no table, ATS-safe."""
    p = doc.add_paragraph()
    r = p.add_run(text.upper())
    r.bold = True; r.font.size = Pt(11); r.font.color.rgb = BLUE
    p.paragraph_format.space_before = Pt(10)
    p.paragraph_format.space_after  = Pt(3)
    # Bottom border
    pPr = p._p.get_or_add_pPr()
    pBdr = OxmlElement('w:pBdr')
    bottom = OxmlElement('w:bottom')
    bottom.set(qn('w:val'), 'single')
    bottom.set(qn('w:sz'), '4')
    bottom.set(qn('w:space'), '1')
    bottom.set(qn('w:color'), '1F497D')
    pBdr.append(bottom)
    pPr.append(pBdr)

def bullet_item(doc, text):
    p = doc.add_paragraph(style='List Bullet')
    p.add_run(text).font.size = Pt(10.5)
    p.paragraph_format.space_after = Pt(2)

def job_line(doc, title_company, dates):
    """Job title + right-aligned dates on same line using tab stop."""
    p = doc.add_paragraph()
    r1 = p.add_run(title_company); r1.bold = True; r1.font.size = Pt(11)
    r2 = p.add_run(f"\t{dates}"); r2.font.size = Pt(10.5)
    p.paragraph_format.tab_stops.add_tab_stop(Twips(9360), WD_ALIGN_PARAGRAPH.RIGHT)
    p.paragraph_format.space_after = Pt(2)

# --- Name ---
name_p = doc.add_paragraph()
name_p.alignment = WD_ALIGN_PARAGRAPH.CENTER
nr = name_p.add_run("JANE DOE"); nr.bold = True; nr.font.size = Pt(18)

contact_p = doc.add_paragraph()
contact_p.alignment = WD_ALIGN_PARAGRAPH.CENTER
contact_p.add_run("[email protected]  |  (555) 123-4567  |  City, ST  |  linkedin.com/in/janedoe").font.size = Pt(10)

# --- Summary (2-3 lines max) ---
section_heading(doc, "Summary")
p = doc.add_paragraph()
p.add_run("Nursing student with clinical experience in ICU and med-surg. Strong patient advocate, 3.8 GPA.").font.size = Pt(10.5)

# --- Experience ---
section_heading(doc, "Experience")
job_line(doc, "Clinical Extern — Cleveland Clinic", "Jun 2024 – Present")
bullet_item(doc, "Assisted RNs with 8-12 patients per shift in 32-bed med-surg unit.")
bullet_item(doc, "Reduced patient call light response time by 18% through proactive rounding.")

# --- Education ---
section_heading(doc, "Education")
job_line(doc, "B.S. Nursing — Cleveland State University", "Expected May 2025")
p = doc.add_paragraph(); p.add_run("GPA: 3.8  |  Dean's List 3 semesters").font.size = Pt(10.5)

# --- Skills ---
section_heading(doc, "Skills")
doc.add_paragraph().add_run("Epic EMR, IV Therapy, Patient Assessment, HIPAA, BLS/ACLS Certified").font.size = Pt(10.5)

doc.save("resume.docx")

Tables (Non-Resume Documents Only)

from docx.shared import RGBColor
from docx.oxml import OxmlElement
from docx.oxml.ns import qn

def shade_cell(cell, hex_color, text_color=None):
    tcPr = cell._tc.get_or_add_tcPr()
    shd = OxmlElement('w:shd')
    shd.set(qn('w:val'), 'clear')
    shd.set(qn('w:fill'), hex_color)
    tcPr.append(shd)
    if text_color:
        for run in cell.paragraphs[0].runs:
            run.font.color.rgb = RGBColor.from_string(text_color)

table = doc.add_table(rows=1, cols=3)
table.style = 'Table Grid'

# Header row
hdr = table.rows[0].cells
for i, label in enumerate(["Column A", "Column B", "Column C"]):
    hdr[i].text = label
    shade_cell(hdr[i], '1F497D', 'FFFFFF')
    hdr[i].paragraphs[0].runs[0].bold = True

# Data rows
for row_data in [["A1", "B1", "C1"], ["A2", "B2", "C2"]]:
    row = table.add_row().cells
    for i, val in enumerate(row_data):
        row[i].text = val

Advanced: docx-js (Complex Formatting)

When python-docx can't do it (complex tab stops, multi-column layouts, automatic TOC), use docx-js.

npm install -g docx

const { Document, Packer, Paragraph, TextRun, AlignmentType,
        HeadingLevel, LevelFormat, TabStopType, TabStopPosition } = require('docx');
const fs = require('fs');

// CRITICAL: Always set US Letter — docx-js defaults to A4
const doc = new Document({
  sections: [{
    properties: {
      page: {
        size: { width: 12240, height: 15840 },  // 1440 DXA = 1 inch
        margin: { top: 1440, right: 1440, bottom: 1440, left: 1440 }
      }
    },
    children: [/* content */]
  }]
});

Packer.toBuffer(doc).then(buf => fs.writeFileSync("output.docx", buf));

Critical docx-js Rules

• Never use \n — use separate Paragraph elements
• Never use unicode bullets (•) — use LevelFormat.BULLET with numbering config
• Always WidthType.DXA for tables — PERCENTAGE breaks in Google Docs
• Tables need dual widths — columnWidths on table AND width on each cell, both must match
• Use ShadingType.CLEAR — never SOLID (causes black cell backgrounds)
• PageBreak must be inside a Paragraph — standalone breaks XML

Reading / Editing Existing Documents

from docx import Document

doc = Document("existing.docx")

# Read all text
for para in doc.paragraphs:
    print(para.style.name, ":", para.text)

# Find and replace
for para in doc.paragraphs:
    for run in para.runs:
        if "OLD TEXT" in run.text:
            run.text = run.text.replace("OLD TEXT", "NEW TEXT")

doc.save("updated.docx")

QA Checklist

• US Letter page size (8.5 x 11 inches)
• No typos in name, job title, company, dates
• Consistent font and sizes throughout
• Cover letter: 3 focused paragraphs, fits on 1 page
• Resume: no tables or text boxes (ATS-killers)
• File opens cleanly in Word and Google Docs

Dependencies

pip install python-docx
npm install -g docx   # only for complex formatting needs