Skill Content
PPTX Skill
Quick Reference
| Task | Guide |
|---|---|
| Read/analyze content | python -m markitdown presentation.pptx |
| Edit or create from template | Read editing.md |
| Create from scratch | Read pptxgenjs.md |
Reading Content
# Text extraction
python -m markitdown presentation.pptx
# Visual overview
python scripts/thumbnail.py presentation.pptx
# Raw XML
python scripts/office/unpack.py presentation.pptx unpacked/Editing Workflow
Read editing.md for full details.
- Analyze template with
thumbnail.py - Unpack → manipulate slides → edit content → clean → pack
Creating from Scratch
Read pptxgenjs.md for full details.
Use when no template or reference presentation is available.
Design Ideas
Don't create boring slides. Plain bullets on a white background won't impress anyone. Consider ideas from this list for each slide.
Before Starting
- Pick a bold, content-informed color palette: The palette should feel designed for THIS topic. If swapping your colors into a completely different presentation would still "work," you haven't made specific enough choices.
- Dominance over equality: One color should dominate (60-70% visual weight), with 1-2 supporting tones and one sharp accent. Never give all colors equal weight.
- Dark/light contrast: Dark backgrounds for title + conclusion slides, light for content ("sandwich" structure). Or commit to dark throughout for a premium feel.
- Commit to a visual motif: Pick ONE distinctive element and repeat it — rounded image frames, icons in colored circles, thick single-side borders. Carry it across every slide.
Color Palettes
Choose colors that match your topic — don't default to generic blue. Use these palettes as inspiration:
| Theme | Primary | Secondary | Accent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midnight Executive | 1E2761 (navy) |
CADCFC (ice blue) |
FFFFFF (white) |
| Forest & Moss | 2C5F2D (forest) |
97BC62 (moss) |
F5F5F5 (cream) |
| Coral Energy | F96167 (coral) |
F9E795 (gold) |
2F3C7E (navy) |
| Warm Terracotta | B85042 (terracotta) |
E7E8D1 (sand) |
A7BEAE (sage) |
| Ocean Gradient | 065A82 (deep blue) |
1C7293 (teal) |
21295C (midnight) |
| Charcoal Minimal | 36454F (charcoal) |
F2F2F2 (off-white) |
212121 (black) |
| Teal Trust | 028090 (teal) |
00A896 (seafoam) |
02C39A (mint) |
| Berry & Cream | 6D2E46 (berry) |
A26769 (dusty rose) |
ECE2D0 (cream) |
| Sage Calm | 84B59F (sage) |
69A297 (eucalyptus) |
50808E (slate) |
| Cherry Bold | 990011 (cherry) |
FCF6F5 (off-white) |
2F3C7E (navy) |
For Each Slide
Every slide needs a visual element — image, chart, icon, or shape. Text-only slides are forgettable.
Layout options:
- Two-column (text left, illustration on right)
- Icon + text rows (icon in colored circle, bold header, description below)
- 2x2 or 2x3 grid (image on one side, grid of content blocks on other)
- Half-bleed image (full left or right side) with content overlay
Data display:
- Large stat callouts (big numbers 60-72pt with small labels below)
- Comparison columns (before/after, pros/cons, side-by-side options)
- Timeline or process flow (numbered steps, arrows)
Visual polish:
- Icons in small colored circles next to section headers
- Italic accent text for key stats or taglines
Typography
Choose an interesting font pairing — don't default to Arial. Pick a header font with personality and pair it with a clean body font.
| Header Font | Body Font |
|---|---|
| Georgia | Calibri |
| Arial Black | Arial |
| Calibri | Calibri Light |
| Cambria | Calibri |
| Trebuchet MS | Calibri |
| Impact | Arial |
| Palatino | Garamond |
| Consolas | Calibri |
| Element | Size |
|---|---|
| Slide title | 36-44pt bold |
| Section header | 2 |