tools-only PowerPoint Generation for Construction
Overview
Create professional PowerPoint presentations for construction projects using python-pptx. Generate stakeholder updates, progress reports, and bid presentations with automated data visualization.
Construction Use Cases
1. Project Progress Presentation
Generate monthly progress update slides.
from pptx import Presentation
from pptx.util import Inches, Pt
from pptx.enum.chart import XL_CHART_TYPE
from pptx.chart.data import CategoryChartData
from pptx.dml.color import RGBColor
from pptx.enum.text import PP_ALIGN
def create_progress_presentation(project_data: dict, output_path: str) -> str:
"""Create project progress presentation."""
prs = Presentation()
prs.slide_width = Inches(13.333)
prs.slide_height = Inches(7.5)
# Title slide
title_slide = prs.slides.add_slide(prs.slide_layouts[0])
title_slide.shapes.title.text = project_data['project_name']
title_slide.placeholders[1].text = f"Progress Report - {project_data['report_date']}"
# Executive Summary slide
summary_slide = prs.slides.add_slide(prs.slide_layouts[1])
summary_slide.shapes.title.text = "Executive Summary"
summary_text = summary_slide.placeholders[1]
tf = summary_text.text_frame
tf.paragraphs[0].text = f"Overall Progress: {project_data['overall_progress']}%"
p = tf.add_paragraph()
p.text = f"Schedule Status: {project_data['schedule_status']}"
p = tf.add_paragraph()
p.text = f"Budget Status: {project_data['budget_status']}"
p = tf.add_paragraph()
p.text = f"Safety: {project_data['safety_status']}"
# Schedule Progress Chart
add_schedule_chart(prs, project_data['schedule_data'])
# Budget Chart
add_budget_chart(prs, project_data['budget_data'])
# Key Milestones
add_milestones_slide(prs, project_data['milestones'])
# Issues & Risks
add_issues_slide(prs, project_data.get('issues', []))
# Photos
if project_data.get('photos'):
add_photos_slide(prs, project_data['photos'])
prs.save(output_path)
return output_path
def add_schedule_chart(prs: Presentation, schedule_data: dict):
"""Add schedule progress chart."""
slide = prs.slides.add_slide(prs.slide_layouts[5])
slide.shapes.title.text = "Schedule Progress"
chart_data = CategoryChartData()
chart_data.categories = schedule_data['phases']
chart_data.add_series('Planned', schedule_data['planned'])
chart_data.add_series('Actual', schedule_data['actual'])
chart = slide.shapes.add_chart(
XL_CHART_TYPE.COLUMN_CLUSTERED,
Inches(1), Inches(1.5),
Inches(11), Inches(5),
chart_data
).chart
chart.has_legend = True
chart.legend.include_in_layout = False
def add_budget_chart(prs: Presentation, budget_data: dict):
"""Add budget status chart."""
slide = prs.slides.add_slide(prs.slide_layouts[5])
slide.shapes.title.text = "Budget Status"
chart_data = CategoryChartData()
chart_data.categories = ['Budget', 'Committed', 'Spent', 'Forecast']
chart_data.add_series('Amount ($M)', [
budget_data['budget'] / 1_000_000,
budget_data['committed'] / 1_000_000,
budget_data['spent'] / 1_000_000,
budget_data['forecast'] / 1_000_000
])
chart = slide.shapes.add_chart(
XL_CHART_TYPE.BAR_CLUSTERED,
Inches(1), Inches(1.5),
Inches(11), Inches(5),
chart_data
).chart
def add_milestones_slide(prs: Presentation, milestones: list):
"""Add key milestones slide."""
slide = prs.slides.add_slide(prs.slide_layouts[5])
slide.shapes.title.text = "Key Milestones"
# Create table
rows = len(milestones) + 1
cols = 4
table = slide.shapes.add_table(rows, cols, Inches(0.5), Inches(1.5), Inches(12), Inches(0.5 * rows)).table
# Headers
headers = ['Milestone', 'Planned', 'Actual/Forecast', 'Status']
for i, header in enumerate(headers):
table.cell(0, i).text = header
# Data
for i, ms in enumerate(milestones, 1):
table.cell(i, 0).text = ms['name']
table.cell(i, 1).text = ms['planned_date']
table.cell(i, 2).text = ms.get('actual_date', ms.get('forecast_date', 'TBD'))
table.cell(i, 3).text = ms['status']
def add_issues_slide(prs: Presentation, issues: list):
"""Add issues and risks slide."""
slide = prs.slides.add_slide(prs.slide_layouts[1])
slide.shapes.title.text = "Issues & Risks"
if not issues:
slide.placeholders[1].text = "No critical issues at this time."
return
tf = slide.placeholders[1].text_frame
for i, issue in enumerate(issues):
if i == 0:
tf.paragraphs[0].text = f"• {issue['description']} ({issue['status']})"
else:
p = tf.add_paragraph()
p.text = f"• {issue['description']} ({issue['status']})"
def add_photos_slide(prs: Presentation, photos: list):
"""Add site photos slide."""
slide = prs.slides.add_slide(prs.slide_layouts[5])
slide.shapes.title.text = "Site Progress Photos"
# Arrange up to 4 photos in grid
positions = [
(Inches(0.5), Inches(1.5)),
(Inches(6.5), Inches(1.5)),
(Inches(0.5), Inches(4)),
(Inches(6.5), Inches(4))
]
for i, photo in enumerate(photos[:4]):
left, top = positions[i]
slide.shapes.add_picture(photo['path'], left, top, width=Inches(5.5))
2. Bid Presentation
Create bid/proposal presentations.
def create_bid_presentation(bid_data: dict, output_path: str) -> str:
"""Create bid presentation for client."""
prs = Presentation()
# Title
title_slide = prs.slides.add_slide(prs.slide_layouts[0])
title_slide.shapes.title.text = bid_data['project_name']
title_slide.placeholders[1].text = f"Proposal by {bid_data['company_name']}"
# Company Overview
overview_slide = prs.slides.add_slide(prs.slide_layouts[1])
overview_slide.shapes.title.text = "About Us"
tf = overview_slide.placeholders[1].text_frame
tf.paragraphs[0].text = f"Years in Business: {bid_data['company']['years']}"
for qual in bid_data['company']['qualifications']:
p = tf.add_paragraph()
p.text = f"• {qual}"
# Project Understanding
understanding_slide = prs.slides.add_slide(prs.slide_layouts[1])
understanding_slide.shapes.title.text = "Project Understanding"
tf = understanding_slide.placeholders[1].text_frame
for i, point in enumerate(bid_data['understanding']):
if i == 0:
tf.paragraphs[0].text = f"• {point}"
else:
p = tf.add_paragraph()
p.text = f"• {point}"
# Approach
approach_slide = prs.slides.add_slide(prs.slide_layouts[1])
approach_slide.shapes.title.text = "Our Approach"
tf = approach_slide.placeholders[1].text_frame
for i, step in enumerate(bid_data['approach']):
if i == 0:
tf.paragraphs[0].text = f"{i+1}. {step}"
else:
p = tf.add_paragraph()
p.text = f"{i+1}. {step}"
# Team
team_slide = prs.slides.add_slide(prs.slide_layouts[1])
team_slide.shapes.title.text = "Project Team"
tf = team_slide.placeholders[1].text_frame
for i, member in enumerate(bid_data['team']):
if i == 0:
tf.paragraphs[0].text = f"{member['role']}: {member['name']}"
else:
p = tf.add_paragraph()
p.text = f"{member['role']}: {member['name']}"
# Pricing Summary
pricing_slide = prs.slides.add_slide(prs.slide_layouts[5])
pricing_slide.shapes.title.text = "Investment Summary"
# Add pricing table
rows = len(bid_data['pricing']['items']) + 2
table = pricing_slide.shapes.add_table(rows, 2, Inches(2), Inches(2), Inches(8), Inches(0.5 * rows)).table
table.cell(0, 0).text = "Description"
table.cell(0, 1).text = "Amount"
for i, item in enumerate(bid_data['pricing']['items'], 1):
table.cell(i, 0).text = item['description']
table.cell(i, 1).text = f"${item['amount']:,.2f}"
table.cell(rows-1, 0).text = "TOTAL"
table.cell(rows-1, 1).text = f"${bid_data['pricing']['total']:,.2f}"
# Schedule
schedule_slide = prs.slides.add_slide(prs.slide_layouts[1])
schedule_slide.shapes.title.text = "Proposed Schedule"
tf = schedule_slide.placeholders[1].text_frame
tf.paragraphs[0].text = f"Duration: {bid_data['schedule']['duration']}"
p = tf.add_paragraph()
p.text = f"Start: {bid_data['schedule']['start']}"
p = tf.add_paragraph()
p.text = f"Completion: {bid_data['schedule']['end']}"
prs.save(output_path)
return output_path
3. Safety Report Presentation
Generate safety meeting presentations.
def create_safety_presentation(safety_data: dict, output_path: str) -> str:
"""Create safety meeting presentation."""
prs = Presentation()
# Title
title_slide = prs.slides.add_slide(prs.slide_layouts[0])
title_slide.shapes.title.text = "Safety Report"
title_slide.placeholders[1].text = f"{safety_data['project_name']} - {safety_data['period']}"
# KPIs
kpi_slide = prs.slides.add_slide(prs.slide_layouts[5])
kpi_slide.shapes.title.text = "Safety KPIs"
# Add KPI boxes
kpis = [
('Days Without Incident', str(safety_data['days_without_incident'])),
('Total Recordable Rate', f"{safety_data['trir']:.2f}"),
('Near Misses Reported', str(safety_data['near_misses'])),
('Toolbox Talks', str(safety_data['toolbox_talks']))
]
for i, (label, value) in enumerate(kpis):
left = Inches(0.5 + (i % 2) * 6)
top = Inches(1.5 + (i // 2) * 2.5)
shape = kpi_slide.shapes.add_shape(1, left, top, Inches(5), Inches(2))
shape.text = f"{value}\n{label}"
# Incidents (if any)
if safety_data.get('incidents'):
incident_slide = prs.slides.add_slide(prs.slide_layouts[1])
incident_slide.shapes.title.text = "Incidents This Period"
tf = incident_slide.placeholders[1].text_frame
for i, incident in enumerate(safety_data['incidents']):
if i == 0:
tf.paragraphs[0].text = f"• {incident['date']}: {incident['description']}"
else:
p = tf.add_paragraph()
p.text = f"• {incident['date']}: {incident['description']}"
# Focus Areas
focus_slide = prs.slides.add_slide(prs.slide_layouts[1])
focus_slide.shapes.title.text = "Focus Areas This Week"
tf = focus_slide.placeholders[1].text_frame
for i, focus in enumerate(safety_data['focus_areas']):
if i == 0:
tf.paragraphs[0].text = f"• {focus}"
else:
p = tf.add_paragraph()
p.text = f"• {focus}"
prs.save(output_path)
return output_path
4. Lookahead Schedule Presentation
Generate 3-week lookahead slides.
def create_lookahead_presentation(lookahead_data: dict, output_path: str) -> str:
"""Create 3-week lookahead presentation."""
prs = Presentation()
# Title
title_slide = prs.slides.add_slide(prs.slide_layouts[0])
title_slide.shapes.title.text = "3-Week Lookahead"
title_slide.placeholders[1].text = f"{lookahead_data['project_name']}"
# Week by week slides
for week_num, week_data in enumerate(lookahead_data['weeks'], 1):
slide = prs.slides.add_slide(prs.slide_layouts[5])
slide.shapes.title.text = f"Week {week_num}: {week_data['date_range']}"
# Activities table
rows = len(week_data['activities']) + 1
table = slide.shapes.add_table(rows, 4, Inches(0.3), Inches(1.5), Inches(12.5), Inches(0.4 * rows)).table
# Headers
for i, header in enumerate(['Activity', 'Area', 'Crew', 'Status']):
table.cell(0, i).text = header
# Data
for i, activity in enumerate(week_data['activities'], 1):
table.cell(i, 0).text = activity['name']
table.cell(i, 1).text = activity['area']
table.cell(i, 2).text = activity['crew']
table.cell(i, 3).text = activity['status']
# Resource Needs
resource_slide = prs.slides.add_slide(prs.slide_layouts[1])
resource_slide.shapes.title.text = "Resource Needs"
tf = resource_slide.placeholders[1].text_frame
for i, need in enumerate(lookahead_data.get('resource_needs', [])):
if i == 0:
tf.paragraphs[0].text = f"• {need}"
else:
p = tf.add_paragraph()
p.text = f"• {need}"
prs.save(output_path)
return output_path
Integration with DDC Pipeline
# Example: Generate monthly progress presentation from project data
import pandas as pd
# Load project data
schedule_df = pd.read_excel("schedule_data.xlsx")
budget_df = pd.read_excel("budget_data.xlsx")
# Prepare presentation data
project_data = {
'project_name': 'Downtown Office Tower',
'report_date': 'January 2026',
'overall_progress': 67,
'schedule_status': 'On Track',
'budget_status': '2.3% Under Budget',
'safety_status': '45 Days Without Incident',
'schedule_data': {
'phases': schedule_df['phase'].tolist(),
'planned': schedule_df['planned_pct'].tolist(),
'actual': schedule_df['actual_pct'].tolist()
},
'budget_data': {
'budget': budget_df['budget'].sum(),
'committed': budget_df['committed'].sum(),
'spent': budget_df['spent'].sum(),
'forecast': budget_df['forecast'].sum()
},
'milestones': [
{'name': 'Foundation Complete', 'planned_date': '2025-06-01', 'actual_date': '2025-05-28', 'status': 'Complete'},
{'name': 'Structure Complete', 'planned_date': '2025-12-15', 'actual_date': '2025-12-10', 'status': 'Complete'},
{'name': 'Envelope Complete', 'planned_date': '2026-03-01', 'forecast_date': '2026-02-28', 'status': 'On Track'}
]
}
create_progress_presentation(project_data, 'reports/monthly_progress_jan2026.pptx')
Dependencies
pip install python-pptx
Resources
- python-pptx: https://python-pptx.readthedocs.io/
- Chart Types: https://python-pptx.readthedocs.io/en/latest/user/charts.html