python-pptx
Create and manipulate PowerPoint presentations programmatically. Build slide decks with layouts, shapes, charts, tables, and images. Generate data-driven presentations from templates.
Best use case
python-pptx is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
Create and manipulate PowerPoint presentations programmatically. Build slide decks with layouts, shapes, charts, tables, and images. Generate data-driven presentations from templates.
Teams using python-pptx should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/python-pptx/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How python-pptx Compares
| Feature / Agent | python-pptx | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
Create and manipulate PowerPoint presentations programmatically. Build slide decks with layouts, shapes, charts, tables, and images. Generate data-driven presentations from templates.
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
SKILL.md Source
# Python Pptx
## Overview
Python-pptx is a Python library for creating and updating PowerPoint (.pptx) presentations. This skill covers comprehensive patterns for presentation automation including:
- **Presentation creation** with multiple slide layouts
- **Shape manipulation** including text boxes, images, and geometric shapes
- **Chart generation** for data visualization within slides
- **Table creation** for structured data display
- **Master slide customization** for branding consistency
- **Template-based generation** for consistent presentations
- **Placeholder management** for dynamic content insertion
## When to Use This Skill
### USE when:
- Generating presentations from data automatically
- Creating standardized report presentations
- Building slide decks with consistent branding
- Automating dashboard presentations
- Creating training materials from templates
- Generating client presentations from databases
- Building presentation pipelines for regular reports
- Creating slides with charts and tables from data
- Mass-producing presentations with variable content
### DON'T USE when:
- Need real-time presentation editing (use PowerPoint)
- Creating presentations with complex animations
- Need advanced transitions (limited support)
- Require embedded videos with playback controls
- Need to preserve complex PowerPoint features
- Creating presentations from scratch without Python (use PowerPoint)
## Prerequisites
### Installation
```bash
# Basic installation
pip install python-pptx
# Using uv (recommended)
uv pip install python-pptx
# With image support
pip install python-pptx Pillow
# Full installation for charts
pip install python-pptx Pillow lxml
```
### Verify Installation
```python
from pptx import Presentation
from pptx.util import Inches, Pt
from pptx.enum.shapes import MSO_SHAPE
from pptx.enum.text import PP_ALIGN
print("python-pptx installed successfully!")
```
## Version History
### 1.0.0 (2026-01-17)
- Initial skill creation
- Core capabilities documentation
- 6 complete code examples
- Template-based generation patterns
- Chart and table creation
## Resources
- **Official Documentation**: https://python-pptx.readthedocs.io/
- **GitHub Repository**: https://github.com/scanny/python-pptx
- **PyPI Package**: https://pypi.org/project/python-pptx/
## Related Skills
- **python-docx** - Word document generation
- **openpyxl** - Excel workbook automation
- **plotly** - Interactive chart generation
- **pypdf** - PDF manipulation
---
*This skill provides comprehensive patterns for PowerPoint automation refined from production presentation generation systems.*
## Sub-Skills
- [1. Basic Presentation Creation](1-basic-presentation-creation/SKILL.md)
- [2. Advanced Text Formatting](2-advanced-text-formatting/SKILL.md)
- [3. Chart Generation](3-chart-generation/SKILL.md)
- [4. Table Creation](4-table-creation/SKILL.md)
- [5. Image and Shape Manipulation](5-image-and-shape-manipulation/SKILL.md)
- [6. Template-Based Generation](6-template-based-generation/SKILL.md)
- [Data-Driven Presentation from Database (+1)](data-driven-presentation-from-database/SKILL.md)
- [1. Template Design (+2)](1-template-design/SKILL.md)
- [Common Issues](common-issues/SKILL.md)Related Skills
python-docx
Create and manipulate Microsoft Word documents programmatically. Build reports, contracts, and documentation with full control over paragraphs, tables, headers, styles, and images.
pypdf
Manipulate PDF documents programmatically. Merge, split, rotate, and watermark PDFs. Extract text and metadata. Handle form filling and encryption/decryption.
openpyxl
Create and manipulate Microsoft Excel workbooks programmatically. Build spreadsheets with formulas, charts, conditional formatting, and pivot tables. Handle large datasets efficiently with streaming mode.
python-import-path-mismatch-debugging
Diagnose and fix ModuleNotFoundError when a package is installed but imports still fail due to environment/path mismatches
python-import-path-debugging
Diagnose ModuleNotFoundError when a package is installed but still fails to import
python-debugpy
Debug Python: pdb REPL + debugpy remote (DAP).
python-gis-ecosystem
Python GIS Ecosystem Skill — GDAL/OGR, Fiona, Shapely, Rasterio, GeoPandas, pyproj, Folium, xarray/rioxarray, Cartopy — foundational GIS libraries
python-project-template
Generate standardized Python project structure with pyproject.toml, UV environment, pytest configuration, and workspace-hub compliance. Creates production-ready project scaffolding.
python-scientific-computing
Python for engineering analysis, numerical computing, and scientific workflows using NumPy, SciPy, SymPy
xlsx-to-python
Convert Excel calculation spreadsheets to Python code — extract formulas, build dependency graphs, generate pytest tests using cell values as assertions, and produce dark-intelligence archive YAMLs.
excel-workbook-to-python-v2
Convert engineering Excel workbooks to Python code using Codex Desktop cowork on Windows. Proven superior quality vs Linux openpyxl extraction (24 vs 7 functions, 81 vs 53 tests). Validated on Ballymore jumper installation analysis.
pptx
PowerPoint presentation toolkit for creating new presentations, editing existing ones, and using templates. Supports HTML-to-PPTX conversion, slide manipulation, and professional design. Use when building presentations, slide decks, or visual reports.