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
# 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
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.