| name | libreoffice-impress |
| description | Presentation creation, format conversion (ODP/PPTX/PDF), slide automation with LibreOffice Impress. |
| category | presentation-processing |
| risk | safe |
| source | personal |
| date_added | 2026-02-27 |
LibreOffice Impress
Overview
LibreOffice Impress skill for creating, editing, converting, and automating presentation workflows using the native ODP (OpenDocument Presentation) format.
When to Use This Skill
Use this skill when:
- Creating new presentations in ODP format
- Converting between ODP, PPTX, PDF formats
- Automating slide generation from templates
- Batch processing presentation operations
- Creating presentation templates
Core Capabilities
1. Presentation Creation
- Create new ODP presentations from scratch
- Generate presentations from templates
- Create slide masters and layouts
- Build interactive presentations
2. Format Conversion
- ODP to other formats: PPTX, PDF, HTML, SWF
- Other formats to ODP: PPTX, PPT, PDF
- Batch conversion of multiple files
3. Slide Automation
- Template-based slide generation
- Batch slide creation from data
- Automated content insertion
- Dynamic chart generation
4. Content Manipulation
- Text and image insertion
- Shape and diagram creation
- Animation and transition control
- Speaker notes management
5. Integration
- Command-line automation via soffice
- Python scripting with UNO
- Integration with workflow tools
Workflows
Creating a New Presentation
Method 1: Command-Line
soffice --impress template.odp
Method 2: Python with UNO
import uno
def create_presentation():
local_ctx = uno.getComponentContext()
resolver = local_ctx.ServiceManager.createInstanceWithContext(
"com.sun.star.bridge.UnoUrlResolver", local_ctx
)
ctx = resolver.resolve(
"uno:socket,host=localhost,port=8100;urp;StarOffice.ComponentContext"
)
smgr = ctx.ServiceManager
doc = smgr.createInstanceWithContext("com.sun.star.presentation.PresentationDocument", ctx)
slides = doc.getDrawPages()
slide = slides.getByIndex(0)
doc.storeToURL("file:///path/to/presentation.odp", ())
doc.close(True)
Converting Presentations
soffice --headless --convert-to pptx presentation.odp
soffice --headless --convert-to pdf presentation.odp
soffice --headless --convert-to odp presentation.pptx
for file in *.odp; do
soffice --headless --convert-to pdf "$file"
done
Template-Based Generation
import subprocess
import tempfile
from pathlib import Path
def generate_from_template(template_path, content, output_path):
with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as tmpdir:
subprocess.run(['unzip', '-q', template_path, '-d', tmpdir])
content_file = Path(tmpdir) / 'content.xml'
content_xml = content_file.read_text()
for key, value in content.items():
content_xml = content_xml.replace(f'${{{key}}}', str(value))
content_file.write_text(content_xml)
subprocess.run(['zip', '-rq', output_path, '.'], cwd=tmpdir)
return output_path
Format Conversion Reference
Supported Input Formats
- ODP (native), PPTX, PPT, PDF
Supported Output Formats
- ODP, PPTX, PDF, HTML, SWF
Command-Line Reference
soffice --headless
soffice --headless --convert-to <format> <file>
soffice --impress
Python Libraries
pip install ezodf
pip install odfpy
Best Practices
- Use slide masters for consistency
- Create templates for recurring presentations
- Embed fonts for PDF distribution
- Use vector graphics when possible
- Store ODP source files in version control
- Test conversions thoroughly
- Keep file sizes manageable
Troubleshooting
Cannot open socket
killall soffice.bin
soffice --headless --accept="socket,host=localhost,port=8100;urp;"
Resources
Related Skills
- writer
- calc
- draw
- base
- pptx-official
- workflow-automation
Limitations
- Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.
- Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.
- Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.
