| name | local-pptx-editor |
| description | Edit PowerPoint (PPTX) files locally without Canva API. Use this skill when user provides
a PPTX file and wants to modify slides, update text, change images, or restructure content.
Maintains original formatting, themes, animations, and layout. Does NOT require Canva.
Output goes to output/ folder. Use for: "edit this presentation", "update slide 5", "change PPT text".
|
Local PPTX Editor Skill
QUICK REFERENCE
- Utility script:
scripts/local/pptx_utils.py
- Sample script:
scripts/samples/sample_pptx_edit.py
- Safe copy:
scripts/local/safe_copy.py
- Output folder:
output/pptx/
- Working folder:
output/working/
- Run with:
.venv\Scripts\python.exe scripts/samples/sample_pptx_edit.py
- 3-Step workflow: (1) Copy from
input/ to output/working/ → (2) Edit the copy → (3) Save to output/pptx/
- Python: ALWAYS use
.venv\Scripts\python.exe (never bare python)
Edit and manipulate PowerPoint files locally without requiring Canva API.
CRITICAL: Never Modify Original Files
- ALWAYS copy the original to
output/working/ first
- ALL edits happen on the copy
- SAVE results to
output/pptx/
- ORIGINAL file remains untouched
When to Use This Skill
Use this skill when:
- User provides a PPTX/PPT file and wants modifications
- Need to update slide content while maintaining design
- Need to add/remove/reorder slides
- Need to modify speaker notes
- User has NOT explicitly asked to use Canva
Capabilities
Read Operations
- Extract all text from slides
- Extract images from presentation
- Get slide layouts and themes
- Analyze slide structure
- Extract speaker notes
Write Operations
- Modify text on any slide
- Replace images
- Add/delete/reorder slides
- Update speaker notes
- Bulk text replacement
Conversion
- PPTX to PDF
- PPTX to images (one per slide)
Running Python Scripts (Virtual Environment)
IMPORTANT: Always use the virtual environment Python:
.venv\Scripts\python.exe scripts/local/script_name.py
.venv/bin/python scripts/local/script_name.py
Workflow
Step 1: Create Safe Copy
.venv\Scripts\python.exe scripts/local/safe_copy.py --source "input/presentation.pptx"
Step 2: Analyze
.venv\Scripts\python.exe scripts/local/pptx_utils.py "output/working/presentation_copy.pptx"
Step 3: Make Modifications
Use the pptx_utils.py functions to:
- Replace text while preserving formatting
- Update specific slides
- Reorder slides
Step 4: Save Result
Save to output/pptx/presentation_modified.pptx
3-Mode Workflow
MODE 1: PLAN
- Analyze presentation structure
- List all slides with content summary
- Document proposed changes
MODE 2: CLARIFY
- Confirm which slides to modify
- Verify text replacements
- Check formatting requirements
MODE 3: IMPLEMENT
- Create working copy
- Apply modifications
- Save to output folder
Maintaining Format Integrity
Preservation Rules
- Theme & Master Slides - Never modify unless requested
- Layouts - Maintain placeholder positions
- Animations - Keep existing animations
- Text Formatting - Same font size, color, style
Word Count Management
- Track original word count per slide
- Warn if new content differs significantly
- Suggest adjustments to maintain layout
Research Capabilities
This skill can:
- Search for PowerPoint best practices
- Look up python-pptx documentation
- Research presentation design principles
- Find solutions to formatting challenges
Available Scripts
pptx_utils.py - Core PPTX analysis and manipulationsafe_copy.py - Create working copies safely
Todo List Tracking (REQUIRED)
ALWAYS use TodoWrite to track progress:
[
{"content": "Create safe working copy", "status": "in_progress", "activeForm": "Creating safe copy"},
{"content": "Analyze presentation structure", "status": "pending", "activeForm": "Analyzing slides"},
{"content": "Apply modifications", "status": "pending", "activeForm": "Applying changes"},
{"content": "Save to output/pptx/", "status": "pending", "activeForm": "Saving result"}
]
Output Location
output/pptx/ - Modified presentationsoutput/working/ - Working copies
