tksplashscreen 2.0

A powerful and flexible Tkinter-based splash screen library

tksplashscreen

A lightweight, flexible tkinter splash screen helper for Python apps.

• PyPI package name: tksplashscreen
• License: MIT
• Python: 3.6+

Lifecycle note: Creating a SplashScreen(...) only configures it. Call show() to display it.

Installation

pip install tksplashscreen

Quick usage

See demo.py and mini_demos.py in the repo for full runnable examples.

from splashscreen import SplashScreen

splash = SplashScreen("Loading…", close_after=3)
splash.show()

What you can do

• Preset placement (TL, TC, TR, CL, C, CR, BL, BC, BR) or { "x": 100, "y": 200 }
  • T* - Top
  • C* - Center
  • B* - Bottom
  • *L - Left
  • *C - Center
  • *R - Right
• Standalone splash (no main window) or attached to an existing tk.Tk
• Optional progress bar (determinate / indeterminate)
• Update text/colors while running
• Optional close button
• Optional main-window blocking (modal behavior)

API (short reference)

Constructor

SplashScreen(
    message: str,
    close_after: float | None = None,
    placement: str | dict = "BR",
    font: str | tuple | None = None,
    bg: str = "#00538F",
    fg: str = "white",
    mainwindow: "tk.Tk" | None = None,
    close_button: bool = False,
    title: str | None = None,
    progressbar: dict | None = None,
    block_main: bool = False,
)

Methods

• show(blocking: bool = False) - Display the splashscreen
• update_message(text: str, append: bool = False) - Update text in the splash screen, with or without appending
• update_color(color: str) - Change the background color of the splash screen
• step_progressbar(step_count: float = 1.0) - Step progressbar specified number of steps
• set_progress(value: float) - Set progressbar to specific value
• close(delay: float = 0) - Close the splash screen
• is_shown() -> bool - Check if splash screen is displayed

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Common pitfalls / FAQ

Why do I get "Splash screen not shown yet. Call show() first."?

You created the object but never displayed it.

✅ Do this:

splash = SplashScreen("Loading…")
splash.show()

My splash appears and then immediately disappears

If your program exits right after calling show(), the process ends and the window closes.

• If you’re using a standalone splash in a short script, keep the process alive (see mini_demos.py).
• If you’re attached to a tk.Tk() app, make sure your app’s mainloop continues running.

“Standalone non-blocking” closes my main window / app

Standalone means the splash is not the app’s main root window. If you create a Tk() for the splash and then quit/destroy it incorrectly, you might terminate the program.

Tips:

• Prefer attaching to your app’s root when you already have one.
• For standalone usage, rely on SplashScreen(...).show(blocking=True) if you want the splash to drive the event loop.

Progress bar doesn’t move

For determinate mode you must advance it:

• call step_progressbar(...) per step, or
• call set_progress(value).

My UI freezes while the splash is visible

If you do long work on the tkinter/UI thread, everything freezes.

• Do heavy work in a worker thread/process, and only schedule UI updates back onto tkinter.
• Use the demo files for patterns (demo.py, mini_demos.py).

The splash size/position seems off

Text size, wrapping, and progress bars affect geometry.

• Use a larger wraplength (or shorter text) for better sizing.
• Try a different placement, or provide explicit {x, y}.

Contributing

Issues and PRs are welcome.