Skill

automating-powerpoint

Automates Microsoft PowerPoint via JXA with AppleScript dictionary discovery. Use when asked to "automate PowerPoint presentations", "create slides programmatically", "JXA PowerPoint scripting", or "export PowerPoint to PDF". Covers presentations, slides, shapes, text, tables, export enums, and interop with Excel.

npx claudepluginhub SpillwaveSolutions/automating-mac-apps-plugin --plugin automating-mac-apps

Tool Access

This skill is limited to using the following tools:

BashReadWrite

Preview

- Standalone for PowerPoint, aligned with `automating-mac-apps` patterns.

Supporting Assets

references/powerpoint-advanced.mdreferences/powerpoint-basics.mdreferences/powerpoint-chart-aware-deck.mdreferences/powerpoint-chart-copy.mdreferences/powerpoint-charts.mdreferences/powerpoint-deck-generator.mdreferences/powerpoint-dictionary.mdreferences/powerpoint-export-video-steps.mdreferences/powerpoint-export-video.mdreferences/powerpoint-layouts.mdreferences/powerpoint-recipes.mdscripts/markdown_to_powerpoint.py

SKILL.md

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Stats

Parent Repo Stars30

Parent Repo Forks3

Last CommitJan 14, 2026

Actions

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Share bugs, ideas, or general feedback.

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)

Discover dictionary terms in Script Editor (PowerPoint).
Prototype minimal AppleScript commands.
Port to JXA and add defensive checks.
Use explicit enums for save/export formats.
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