pptx

pptx

Work with PowerPoint .pptx files using python-pptx (preinstalled). A .pptx is a ZIP of XML parts; python-pptx handles the structure so you rarely touch XML. Drop to raw OOXML only for the few things the library can't express (see Advanced).

Run complete Python source with code_execution in the current workspace dir where uploaded files land. Refer to the deck exactly as the Generated artifacts list names it. Use exec only for a genuinely shell-only command; never put this source in python -c or a heredoc.

Mental model

• A presentation has slides; each slide is built from a layout; layouts live on slide masters. Layouts define placeholders (title, body, picture, etc.) by idx and type.
• A slide holds shapes: placeholders, text boxes, pictures, tables, charts.
• Shapes with text expose .text_frame → .paragraphs → .runs. A run is the unit that carries formatting (font, size, bold, color).
• Units are EMU. Use the helpers: from pptx.util import Inches, Pt, Emu.

Read / extract

from pptx import Presentation

prs = Presentation("deck.pptx")
print(len(prs.slides), prs.slide_width, prs.slide_height)  # EMU dims

for i, slide in enumerate(prs.slides, 1):
    print(f"--- slide {i} (layout: {slide.slide_layout.name}) ---")
    for shape in slide.shapes:
        if shape.has_text_frame:
            print(shape.text_frame.text)  # \n-joined paragraphs
        elif shape.has_table:
            for row in shape.table.rows:
                print([c.text for c in row.cells])
    if slide.has_notes_slide:
        notes = slide.notes_slide.notes_text_frame.text
        if notes:
            print("NOTES:", notes)

Iterate slide.placeholders to see placeholder idx / placeholder_format.type. For a fast text-only dump, just collect shape.text_frame.text across slides.

Create from an outline

List the layouts first — indices vary by template. With the default template, layout 0 = Title, 1 = Title+Content, 5 = Title Only, 6 = Blank.

from pptx import Presentation
from pptx.util import Inches, Pt

prs = Presentation()  # or Presentation("template.pptx") to inherit a theme
for idx, lay in enumerate(prs.slide_layouts):
    print(idx, lay.name, [(p.placeholder_format.idx, p.name) for p in lay.placeholders])

# Title slide
s = prs.slides.add_slide(prs.slide_layouts[0])
s.shapes.title.text = "My Deck"
s.placeholders[1].text = "Subtitle"  # idx from the listing above

# Title + bullets
s = prs.slides.add_slide(prs.slide_layouts[1])
s.shapes.title.text = "Agenda"
tf = s.placeholders[1].text_frame
tf.text = "First point"  # first paragraph
for line, lvl in [("Second", 0), ("Sub-point", 1)]:
    p = tf.add_paragraph()
    p.text = line
    p.level = lvl

prs.save("out.pptx")

Always set text via placeholders/shapes — never hand-write bullet glyphs (•); indentation/bullets come from the layout via paragraph.level.