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automating-powerpoint

npx machina-cli add skill SpillwaveSolutions/automating-mac-apps-plugin/automating-powerpoint --openclaw
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SKILL.md
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Automating PowerPoint (JXA-first, AppleScript discovery)

Relationship to the macOS automation skill

  • Standalone for PowerPoint, aligned with automating-mac-apps patterns.
  • Use automating-mac-apps for permissions, shell, and UI scripting guidance.

Core Framing

  • PowerPoint dictionary is AppleScript-first; discover there.
  • JXA provides logic, data handling, and ObjC bridge access.
  • Objects are specifiers; read via methods, write via assignments.
  • Prerequisites: PowerPoint with Accessibility permissions, basic JXA/AppleScript knowledge.

Workflow (default)

  1. Discover dictionary terms in Script Editor (PowerPoint).
  2. Prototype minimal AppleScript commands.
  3. Port to JXA and add defensive checks.
  4. Use explicit enums for save/export formats.
  5. Use Excel interop for robust charting.

Quick Start Example

Create a new presentation with a title slide:

const powerpoint = Application('Microsoft PowerPoint');
const doc = powerpoint.documents[0] || powerpoint.documents.add();
const slide = doc.slides.add({index: 1, layout: powerpoint.slideLayouts['ppLayoutTitle']});
slide.shapes[0].textFrame.textRange.content = 'My Presentation';
doc.save({in: Path('/Users/username/Desktop/presentation.pptx')});

Troubleshooting

  • Application not responding: Ensure PowerPoint is launched and accessible via Accessibility permissions.
  • Dictionary discovery fails: Open PowerPoint manually first, then retry Script Editor.
  • Export errors: Verify file paths exist and use absolute paths; check enum values match PowerPoint's export constants.
  • Interop issues: Confirm Excel is installed and both applications have proper permissions.

Validation Checklist

  • PowerPoint launches and responds to JXA commands
  • Presentation creation succeeds with expected slides
  • Shape/text manipulation renders correctly
  • Export produces valid output files
  • Enum values match PowerPoint dictionary constants
  • Error handling covers missing app/permissions

When Not to Use

  • Windows PowerPoint automation (use VBA instead)
  • Web-based PowerPoint (use Office 365 APIs)
  • Complex animations or transitions (limited JXA support)
  • Non-macOS platforms
  • Real-time presentation collaboration scenarios

What to load

  • PowerPoint JXA basics: automating-powerpoint/references/powerpoint-basics.md (core objects, application setup)
  • Recipes (slides, shapes, text): automating-powerpoint/references/powerpoint-recipes.md
  • Advanced patterns (export enums, charts): automating-powerpoint/references/powerpoint-advanced.md
  • Dictionary translation table: automating-powerpoint/references/powerpoint-dictionary.md
  • Charting notes: automating-powerpoint/references/powerpoint-charts.md
  • Export to video notes: automating-powerpoint/references/powerpoint-export-video.md
  • Excel chart copy example: automating-powerpoint/references/powerpoint-chart-copy.md
  • Layout presets: automating-powerpoint/references/powerpoint-layouts.md
  • Export video workflow: automating-powerpoint/references/powerpoint-export-video-steps.md
  • Deck generator example: automating-powerpoint/references/powerpoint-deck-generator.md
  • Chart-aware deck pattern: automating-powerpoint/references/powerpoint-chart-aware-deck.md

Source

git clone https://github.com/SpillwaveSolutions/automating-mac-apps-plugin/blob/main/plugins/automating-mac-apps-plugin/skills/automating-powerpoint/SKILL.mdView on GitHub

Overview

Automates Microsoft PowerPoint on macOS using JXA with AppleScript dictionary discovery. It enables programmable creation and modification of presentations, slides, shapes, text, and tables, plus Excel interop and export options. This streamlines repetitive deck generation and data-driven updates.

How This Skill Works

PowerPoint's AppleScript dictionary is discovered in Script Editor, establishing the available commands and properties. JXA provides the logic, data handling, and an Objective-C bridge to call and manipulate PowerPoint objects, using explicit enums for save/export formats and defensively coded checks. Prerequisites include PowerPoint with Accessibility permissions and basic JXA/AppleScript knowledge.

When to Use It

  • Automate PowerPoint presentations to speed up deck production.
  • Create slides programmatically from data sources.
  • Script PowerPoint with JXA to modify shapes, text, and layouts.
  • Export PowerPoint presentations to PDF using explicit format enums.
  • Interoperate with Excel to drive charts and data visuals in slides.

Quick Start

  1. Step 1: Discover dictionary terms in Script Editor for PowerPoint and prototype AppleScript commands.
  2. Step 2: Port the commands to JXA and add defensive checks and enums.
  3. Step 3: Use Excel interop for charts and save to a PPTX file.

Best Practices

  • Discover dictionary terms in Script Editor before coding and prototype AppleScript commands.
  • Ensure PowerPoint is launched and has Accessibility permissions.
  • Use explicit enums for save/export formats to avoid mismatches.
  • Start with minimal commands, then port to JXA with defensive checks.
  • If charting is involved, verify Excel is installed and both apps have proper permissions for interop.

Example Use Cases

  • Create a new presentation with a title slide and save as PPTX.
  • Programmatically update slide text and shape properties across multiple slides.
  • Export the presentation to PDF using PowerPoint's export enums.
  • Copy an Excel chart into a PowerPoint slide to reflect live data.
  • Build a deck generator that compiles slides from a data source with charts.

Frequently Asked Questions

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