Ppt Template Creator
AnthropicOfficialPublished by Anthropic
- Skill
- Workflow
- Documents and content
- Apache-2.0
- No issues found
AutoGineer summary
Written by AutoGineer from the skill’s own files, not by the author
This skill provides a structured workflow to convert static PowerPoint templates into functional, reusable skills. It analyzes template layouts, extracts precise placeholder coordinates, and generates a self-contained documentation file (SKILL.md) that enables programmatic slide generation. By identifying the exact boundaries of content areas and mapping placeholder indices, it ensures that future presentations generated from the template maintain consistent branding and layout integrity.
What it does
- Analyzes PowerPoint templates to extract slide layouts and placeholder dimensions.
- Identifies precise content area boundaries to prevent layout overlaps.
- Generates a standardized SKILL.md file for the new template skill.
- Bundles the original template file into an assets directory.
- Provides code snippets for programmatic slide population and hierarchy management.
- Validates the new skill by generating a sample presentation.
When to use it
- When you need to turn a corporate PowerPoint template into a reusable automation asset.
- When you want to ensure consistent slide formatting across multiple presentations.
- When you need to programmatically generate slides while respecting specific template constraints.
- When you are building a library of branded presentation templates for an organization.
Advantages
- Ensures programmatic consistency with existing visual branding.
- Eliminates manual formatting errors by defining strict content boundaries.
- Creates self-contained, portable skills that do not rely on external references.
- Simplifies the developer experience for generating complex slide decks.
Usage examples
- “Create a new skill from my corporate pitch deck template.”
- The agent analyzes the provided .pptx file, extracts layout indices and placeholder coordinates, and generates a new skill folder containing the template and a complete SKILL.md guide.
- “How do I find the content start position for my template?”
- The agent runs an analysis script to identify the OBJECT placeholder's Y-coordinate, providing the exact vertical position where content should begin to avoid template borders.
Install
Download the skill as a ZIP:
https://mp-staging.autogineer.com/agent-skills/anthropics/ppt-template-creator/downloadUnzip it into the cross-client skills folder of your project:
mkdir -p .agents/skills && unzip ppt-template-creator.zip -d .agents/skills
Documentation by Anthropic
PPT Template Creator
This skill creates SKILLS, not presentations. Use this when a user wants to turn their PowerPoint template into a reusable skill that can generate presentations later. If the user just wants to create a presentation, use the pptx skill instead.
The generated skill includes:
assets/template.pptx- the template fileSKILL.md- complete instructions (no reference to this meta skill needed)
For general skill-building best practices, refer to the skill-creator skill. This skill focuses on PPT-specific patterns.
Workflow
User provides template (.pptx or .potx)
Analyze template - extract layouts, placeholders, dimensions
Initialize skill - use the
skill-creatorskill to set up the skill structureAdd template - copy .pptx to
assets/template.pptxWrite SKILL.md - follow template below with PPT-specific details
Create example - generate sample presentation to validate
Package - use the
skill-creatorskill to package into a .skill file
Step 2: Analyze Template
CRITICAL: Extract precise placeholder positions - this determines content area boundaries.
from pptx import Presentation
prs = Presentation(template_path)
print(f"Dimensions: {prs.slide_width/914400:.2f}\" x {prs.slide_height/914400:.2f}\"")
print(f"Layouts: {len(prs.slide_layouts)}")
for idx, layout in enumerate(prs.slide_layouts):
print(f"\n[{idx}] {layout.name}:")
for ph in layout.placeholders:
try:
ph_idx = ph.placeholder_format.idx
ph_type = ph.placeholder_format.type
# IMPORTANT: Extract exact positions in inches
left = ph.left / 914400
top = ph.top / 914400
width = ph.width / 914400
height = ph.height / 914400
print(f" idx={ph_idx}, type={ph_type}")
print(f" x={left:.2f}\", y={top:.2f}\", w={width:.2f}\", h={height:.2f}\"")
except:
passKey measurements to document:
Title position: Where does the title placeholder sit?
Subtitle/description: Where is the subtitle line?
Footer placeholders: Where do footers/sources appear?
Content area: The space BETWEEN subtitle and footer is your content area
Finding the True Content Start Position
CRITICAL: The content area does NOT always start immediately after the subtitle placeholder. Many templates have a visual border, line, or reserved space between the subtitle and content area.
Best approach: Look at Layout 2 or similar "content" layouts that have an OBJECT placeholder - this placeholder's y position indicates where content should actually start.
# Find the OBJECT placeholder to determine true content start
for idx, layout in enumerate(prs.slide_layouts):
for ph in layout.placeholders:
try:
if ph.placeholder_format.type == 7: # OBJECT type
top = ph.top / 914400
print(f"Layout [{idx}] {layout.name}: OBJECT starts at y={top:.2f}\"")
# This y value is where your content should start!
except:
passExample: A template might have:
Subtitle ending at y=1.38"
But OBJECT placeholder starting at y=1.90"
The gap (0.52") is reserved for a border/line - do not place content there
Use the OBJECT placeholder's y position as your content start, not the subtitle's end position.
Step 5: Write SKILL.md
The generated skill should have this structure:
[company]-ppt-template/
├── SKILL.md
└── assets/
└── template.pptxGenerated SKILL.md Template
The generated SKILL.md must be self-contained with all instructions embedded. Use this template, filling in the bracketed values from your analysis:
---
name: [company]-ppt-template
description: [Company] PowerPoint template for creating presentations. Use when creating [Company]-branded pitch decks, board materials, or client presentations.
---
# [Company] PPT Template
Template: `assets/template.pptx` ([WIDTH]" x [HEIGHT]", [N] layouts)
## Creating Presentations
```python
from pptx import Presentation
prs = Presentation("path/to/skill/assets/template.pptx")
# DELETE all existing slides first
while len(prs.slides) > 0:
rId = prs.slides._sldIdLst[0].rId
prs.part.drop_rel(rId)
del prs.slides._sldIdLst[0]
# Add slides from layouts
slide = prs.slides.add_slide(prs.slide_layouts[LAYOUT_IDX])
```
## Key Layouts
| Index | Name | Use For |
|-------|------|---------|
| [0] | [Layout Name] | [Cover/title slide] |
| [N] | [Layout Name] | [Content with bullets] |
| [N] | [Layout Name] | [Two-column layout] |
## Placeholder Mapping
**CRITICAL: Include exact positions (x, y coordinates) for each placeholder.**
### Layout [N]: [Name]
| idx | Type | Position | Use |
|-----|------|----------|-----|
| [idx] | TITLE (1) | y=[Y]" | Slide title |
| [idx] | BODY (2) | y=[Y]" | Subtitle/description |
| [idx] | BODY (2) | y=[Y]" | Footer |
| [idx] | BODY (2) | y=[Y]" | Source/notes |
### Content Area Boundaries
**Document the safe content area for custom shapes/tables/charts:**
```
Content Area (for Layout [N]):
- Left margin: [X]" (content starts here)
- Top: [Y]" (below subtitle placeholder)
- Width: [W]"
- Height: [H]" (ends before footer)
For 4-quadrant layouts:
- Left column: x=[X]", width=[W]"
- Right column: x=[X]", width=[W]"
- Top row: y=[Y]", height=[H]"
- Bottom row: y=[Y]", height=[H]"
```
**Why this matters:** Custom content (textboxes, tables, charts) must stay within these boundaries to avoid overlapping with template placeholders like titles, footers, and source lines.
## Filling Content
**Do NOT add manual bullet characters** - slide master handles formatting.
```python
# Fill title
for shape in slide.shapes:
if hasattr(shape, 'placeholder_format'):
if shape.placeholder_format.type == 1: # TITLE
shape.text = "Slide Title"
# Fill content with hierarchy (level 0 = header, level 1 = bullet)
for shape in slide.shapes:
if hasattr(shape, 'placeholder_format'):
idx = shape.placeholder_format.idx
if idx == [CONTENT_IDX]:
tf = shape.text_frame
for para in tf.paragraphs:
para.clear()
content = [
("Section Header", 0),
("First bullet point", 1),
("Second bullet point", 1),
]
tf.paragraphs[0].text = content[0][0]
tf.paragraphs[0].level = content[0][1]
for text, level in content[1:]:
p = tf.add_paragraph()
p.text = text
p.level = level
```
## Example: Cover Slide
```python
slide = prs.slides.add_slide(prs.slide_layouts[[COVER_IDX]])
for shape in slide.shapes:
if hasattr(shape, 'placeholder_format'):
idx = shape.placeholder_format.idx
if idx == [TITLE_IDX]:
shape.text = "Company Name"
elif idx == [SUBTITLE_IDX]:
shape.text = "Presentation Title | Date"
```
## Example: Content Slide
```python
slide = prs.slides.add_slide(prs.slide_layouts[[CONTENT_IDX]])
for shape in slide.shapes:
if hasattr(shape, 'placeholder_format'):
ph_type = shape.placeholder_format.type
idx = shape.placeholder_format.idx
if ph_type == 1:
shape.text = "Executive Summary"
elif idx == [BODY_IDX]:
tf = shape.text_frame
for para in tf.paragraphs:
para.clear()
content = [
("Key Findings", 0),
("Revenue grew 40% YoY to $50M", 1),
("Expanded to 3 new markets", 1),
("Recommendation", 0),
("Proceed with strategic initiative", 1),
]
tf.paragraphs[0].text = content[0][0]
tf.paragraphs[0].level = content[0][1]
for text, level in content[1:]:
p = tf.add_paragraph()
p.text = text
p.level = level
```Step 6: Create Example Output
Generate a sample presentation to validate the skill works. Save it alongside the skill for reference.
PPT-Specific Rules for Generated Skills
Template in assets/ - always bundle the .pptx file
Self-contained SKILL.md - all instructions embedded, no external references
No manual bullets - use
paragraph.levelfor hierarchyDelete slides first - always clear existing slides before adding new ones
Document placeholders by idx - placeholder idx values are template-specific
Files
- ATTRIBUTION.mdAdded by AutoGineer942 B
- LICENSELicence file added by AutoGineer11.1 KiB
- SKILL.md8.7 KiB
Requirements and compatibility
Written for: Claude Code, Claude apps
Works with: Claude Code, Claude apps, OpenAI Codex, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Gemini CLI, Kiro, OpenCode, Goose, Amp, Roo Code, JetBrains Junie, Factory Droid, Devin (ex-Windsurf), Mistral Vibe, OpenHands, Letta
“Works with” means the tool reads the open Agent Skills format; a skill written for one tool may use features others lack.
Needs: Needs Python
Security
No issues found by our static scan· No issues found
A static scan is not a guarantee. Skills are third-party content: review a skill before you let an agent use it.
Attribution and licence
- Published by
- Anthropic
- Publisher
- Anthropic (Official)
- Source
- anthropics/financial-services · plugins/vertical-plugins/financial-analysis/skills/ppt-template-creator · commit 6056506
- Licence
- Apache License 2.0 (redistribution allowed)
- LICENSE (added by AutoGineer from LICENSE)
- ATTRIBUTION.md (written by AutoGineer)
- Synced
AutoGineer is not affiliated with or endorsed by Anthropic.
Download ZIP
The ZIP holds the skill’s files, its licence files and an ATTRIBUTION.md. Download ppt-template-creator.zip