Ppt Template Creator

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 file
• SKILL.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

1. User provides template (.pptx or .potx)
2. Analyze template - extract layouts, placeholders, dimensions
3. Initialize skill - use the skill-creator skill to set up the skill structure
4. Add template - copy .pptx to assets/template.pptx
5. Write SKILL.md - follow template below with PPT-specific details
6. Create example - generate sample presentation to validate
7. Package - use the skill-creator skill 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:
            pass

Key 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:
            pass

Example: 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.pptx

Generated 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

1. Template in assets/ - always bundle the .pptx file
2. Self-contained SKILL.md - all instructions embedded, no external references
3. No manual bullets - use paragraph.level for hierarchy
4. Delete slides first - always clear existing slides before adding new ones
5. Document placeholders by idx - placeholder idx values are template-specific

Hermes Profile Notes

This skill was packaged from pi-financial-services source path plugins/vertical-plugins/financial-analysis/skills/ppt-template-creator for the Hermes financial-services profile. Use institutional data connectors first when available, cite sources, and stage outputs for qualified human review.

Common Pitfalls

1. Do not present drafts as investment, legal, tax, or accounting advice.
2. Do not use web search as the primary source when an institutional MCP/data connector is available.
3. Do not execute transactions, contact clients, post to a ledger, or approve onboarding. Stage outputs for review.

Verification Checklist

• Inputs, assumptions, dates, and currencies are explicit.
• Numbers tie across tables, models, decks, and memos.
• Sources are cited and institutional data is preferred where available.
• Output is labeled draft / for human review where appropriate.