ibz-04/gloamy/automating-powerpoint

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')});

Hard Rules

• Never use `python-pptx`, `PyXA`, or `pip install` to create PowerPoint files. Always use JXA via osascript -l JavaScript.
• Never report a previously created file as the result of the current task. If PowerPoint creation fails, say so explicitly — do not substitute a PDF or other file from a prior session.
• If JXA fails, report the exact error and ask the user for permission to troubleshoot (check Accessibility permissions, verify PowerPoint is installed), rather than silently switching to Python.

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