PPTX Presentation Generator

Reading Style Specs

references/styles.md contains all 30 styles (~1200 lines). Do NOT read the entire file.

1. Grep for the style heading: ## XX. Style Name
2. Read only that section (~40 lines) until the next --- separator
3. Extract: background, colors (HEX), fonts, layout rules, signature elements, and avoid list

Font Strategy

python-pptx embeds font names in the PPTX XML, but fonts must be installed on the machine that opens the file to render correctly. If missing, the viewer app substitutes a default (usually Calibri), which breaks the intended design.

Read references/font-fallback.md for the full mapping table. The key principle:

• Ask the user if they have specific fonts installed
• Default to safe fonts (Arial, Calibri, Georgia, Courier New) when unsure
• Document which fonts the deck uses so the user can install them if needed

PPTX Generation with python-pptx

Setup

pip install python-pptx

Generate a standalone Python script for each presentation. The script should be self-contained, import everything it needs, and save the .pptx at the end.

Slide Dimensions (16:9 widescreen)

from pptx import Presentation
from pptx.util import Inches, Pt, Emu
from pptx.dml.color import RGBColor
from pptx.enum.text import PP_ALIGN
from pptx.enum.shapes import MSO_SHAPE
from pptx.oxml.ns import qn

prs = Presentation()
prs.slide_width = Inches(13.333)
prs.slide_height = Inches(7.5)

Blank Slide

Always use the blank layout (index 6) so no default placeholders interfere with custom design:

slide = prs.slides.add_slide(prs.slide_layouts[6])

Solid Background

bg = slide.background
fill = bg.fill
fill.solid()
fill.fore_color.rgb = RGBColor(0x0F, 0x0F, 0x2D)

Gradient Background

fill = slide.background.fill
fill.gradient()
fill.gradient_stops[0].color.rgb = RGBColor(0x1A, 0x1A, 0x4E)
fill.gradient_stops[0].position = 0.0
fill.gradient_stops[1].color.rgb = RGBColor(0x6B, 0x21, 0xA8)
fill.gradient_stops[1].position = 1.0

Shape with Transparency

Transparency is the key to styles like Glassmorphism and Pastel Soft UI. python-pptx doesn't expose alpha directly, so manipulate the XML.

Important: shape.fill._fill is a wrapper object, NOT an XML element — calling .find() on it will raise AttributeError. Always traverse from shape._element:

shape = slide.shapes.add_shape(
    MSO_SHAPE.ROUNDED_RECTANGLE, left, top, width, height
)
shape.fill.solid()
shape.fill.fore_color.rgb = RGBColor(0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF)

# Set transparency via XML: val in 0-100000 (100000 = fully transparent)
solid_fill = shape._element.find('.//' + qn('a:solidFill'))
srgb = solid_fill.find(qn('a:srgbClr'))
alpha = srgb.makeelement(qn('a:alpha'), {'val': '20000'})  # 20% opacity
srgb.append(alpha)

Text with Custom Font

tf = shape.text_frame
tf.word_wrap = True
p = tf.paragraphs[0]
p.text = "Title Text"
p.font.size = Pt(36)
p.font.name = "Calibri Light"  # Use fallback-safe font
p.font.color.rgb = RGBColor(0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF)
p.font.bold = True
p.alignment = PP_ALIGN.CENTER

Decorative Shapes

# Circle
circle = slide.shapes.add_shape(MSO_SHAPE.OVAL, left, top, size, size)

# Thin line (as a narrow rectangle)
line = slide.shapes.add_shape(MSO_SHAPE.RECTANGLE, left, top, width, Pt(2))

# Remove outline from shape
shape.line.fill.background()

Saving

output_path = "presentation.pptx"
prs.save(output_path)
print(f"Saved: {output_path}")

Design Principles

These matter because they're the difference between a professional-looking deck and a collection of text boxes:

• No text-only slides — every slide needs at least one visual element (shape, color block, decorative line). Even a simple colored rectangle behind the title transforms the slide from "document" to "presentation."
• Repeat signature elements — each style has 2-3 defining visual motifs. Use them consistently across all slides. This is what makes a deck feel cohesive rather than a random collection of slides.
• Exact HEX values — use the colors from the style spec precisely. "Close enough" colors break aesthetic cohesion, especially in dark-background styles where small differences are very visible.
• Font pairing matters — typography drives ~50% of the style impression. Match the title/body/caption font combination from the spec (using fallbacks where needed).
• Layer with intention — background → decorative shapes → content cards → text. z-ordering creates depth and professionalism.

Typical Slide Structure

1. Title slide — style's signature treatment at full impact
2. Agenda/overview — lighter use of signature elements
3. Content slides — consistent layout with style elements framing content
4. Data/chart slides — style colors applied to any charts or data
5. Closing slide — echo of title slide treatment

Available Styles (30)

For detailed color/font/layout specs → references/styles.md (read only the section you need) For font mapping → references/font-fallback.md