# Creating a Pitch Deck Complete guide for building professional pitch presentations from scratch. Follow the workflow: decide structure, set up, build slides pattern-by-pattern, polish, QA. For general pptx building blocks (shapes, pictures, rich text, animations, batch syntax), see [pptx creating.md](../officecli-pptx/creating.md). This document focuses on pitch-deck-specific patterns and recipes. --- ## Section A: Decision Logic ### A.1 Deck Type Selection | Deck Type | Slides | When to Use | Recommended Slide Sequence | |-----------|--------|------------|---------------------------| | Seed Pitch | 6 | Pre-seed/seed, < $1M, early metrics | Title, Problem+Solution, Market, Traction, Team, Ask | | Product Launch | 8 | Feature announcement, product release | Title, Problem, Features, Before/After, Demo, Results, Pricing, CTA | | Full Investor | 10-12 | Series A+, significant traction | Title, Problem, Solution, Market, Product, Traction, Business Model, Competitive, Roadmap, Team, Financials, Ask | | Enterprise Sales | 10 | B2B, C-level audience, data-heavy | Title, Threat/Problem, Solution, Architecture, ROI, Case Study, Competitive, Impact, Timeline, Next Steps | These are starting points. **Respect the user's slide count** -- never pad to a longer deck. Adapt the sequence to the user's specific request. ### A.2 Color Palette Reference Define palette as shell variables before building. All subsequent commands reference variables. **Professional Navy** (investor decks): ```bash PRIMARY="0F2B46"; SECONDARY="1A73E8"; ACCENT1="34A853"; ACCENT2="F9AB00"; DARK="0A1628"; LIGHT="F0F4F8" ``` **Tech Purple** (product launches): ```bash PRIMARY="6C2BD9"; SECONDARY="1DB954"; ACCENT1="FF6B35"; ACCENT2="00B4D8"; DARK="1A1A2E"; LIGHT="F8F7FF" ``` **Dark Premium** (enterprise sales): ```bash PRIMARY="0D0D1A"; SECONDARY="00D4AA"; ACCENT1="FF4757"; ACCENT2="FFA502"; ACCENT3="2ED573"; LIGHT_TEXT="E8E8E8"; MUTED="6B7B8D" ``` If the user provides specific colors, use those. If not, select the closest palette and adapt. ### A.3 Font Pairing | Element | Font | Size | |---------|------|------| | Slide title | Georgia, bold | 32-44pt | | Section header | Georgia or Calibri, bold | 18-24pt | | Body text | Calibri | 14-16pt | | Stat number | Georgia, bold | 36-64pt | | Stat label | Calibri | 12-14pt | | Caption/footer | Calibri | 10-12pt | --- ## Section B: Setup ### B.1 Create File and Set Metadata ```bash officecli create deck.pptx officecli set deck.pptx / --prop title="Deck Title" --prop author="Author Name" ``` ### B.2 Define Color Palette ```bash # Example: Professional Navy PRIMARY="0F2B46" SECONDARY="1A73E8" ACCENT1="34A853" ACCENT2="F9AB00" DARK="0A1628" LIGHT="F0F4F8" ``` ### B.3 Resident Mode (Optional, 3+ Commands) ```bash officecli open deck.pptx # Keep in memory # ... build slides ... officecli close deck.pptx # Save and release ``` --- ## Section C: Slide Patterns Each pattern includes: visual description, positioning table, and batch template skeleton. Replace placeholder text, colors, and data with scenario content. **Add speaker notes after each slide is built.** **Never use the same pattern on two consecutive slides.** > **Vertical centering:** When a slide has fewer elements than the pattern maximum, adjust y-positions downward by 2-3cm to center the visual weight. The positions in these patterns assume maximum content. ### C.1 Title / Cover (Dark Gradient) 3-4 text shapes on gradient background. Slide 1 in all decks. Transition: `fade`. | Element | X | Y | Width | Height | Font/Size | |---------|---|---|-------|--------|-----------| | Title | 2cm | 5cm | 29.87cm | 4cm | Georgia bold 44pt | | Tagline | 2cm | 10cm | 29.87cm | 2cm | Calibri 20pt | | Footer | 2cm | 13cm | 29.87cm | 1.5cm | Calibri 12pt | Background: `"$DARK-$DARK2-180"` (linear gradient). See SKILL.md Quick Start for full batch template. ### C.2 Stat Callout Row (3-Stat) Title + 3 number/label pairs. Numbers: Georgia bold 64pt. Labels: Calibri 14pt, muted. | Stat | Number X | Label X | Width | Number Y | Label Y | |------|----------|---------|-------|----------|---------| | 1 | 2cm | 2cm | 9cm | 5cm | 9.5cm | | 2 | 12.5cm | 12.5cm | 9cm | 5cm | 9.5cm | | 3 | 23cm | 23cm | 9cm | 5cm | 9.5cm | Title at y=1cm, height 3cm. Number height 4cm, label height 2cm. ### C.3 Stat Callout Row (4-Stat) Same as C.2 but 4 columns. Numbers: Georgia bold 60pt. Stat X positions: 1.5cm, 9.5cm, 17.5cm, 25.5cm. Width: 7cm each. > **HARD RULE: At 60pt in 7cm width, stat values must be 4 characters or fewer for dollar-amount patterns containing both `$` and `.` (e.g., `$9.4M` is 5 chars but the wide `$` and `.` glyphs in Georgia bold make it effectively 6 — it WILL wrap). Safe dollar patterns: `$9M`, `$96B`, `$4K` (3-4 chars). For non-dollar values, 5 characters is the limit (e.g., "340%", "4.2m", "12.3" are safe). Values of 6+ characters (e.g., "197min", "3 Days") WILL wrap to 2 lines and destroy the stat callout. For longer values: (a) reduce font to 44-48pt, (b) abbreviate (e.g., "197m" instead of "197min", "$9M" instead of "$9.4M"), or (c) use the wider 3-stat layout (C.2, 9cm per stat). Single tokens only — no spaces.** ### C.4 Chart + Context (Chart Left, Stats Right) Chart on left 55%, stat callouts stacked on right. Post-batch: `officecli set "/slide[N]/chart[1]" --prop gap=80` for column/bar. | Element | X | Y | Width | Height | |---------|---|---|-------|--------| | Title | 2cm | 1cm | 29.87cm | 3cm | | Chart | 2cm | 4cm | 17cm | 13cm | | Stats | 21cm | 4cm+ | 11cm | 2.5cm number + 1.2cm label | Stat spacing: ~3.7cm per pair. For 5 stats, use size=44pt. ### C.5 Icon-in-Circle Grid (3-Row Vertical) 3 rows at y=4.5cm, 8.5cm, 12.5cm. Each: ellipse 2.5x2.5cm at x=2cm + text overlay (same pos) + label at x=5.5cm (bold 18pt, width 25cm) + description below (14pt, muted). 13 elements total. ### C.6 Icon-in-Circle Grid (5-Across Horizontal) 5 icons at x=1.5, 7.5, 13.5, 19.5, 25.5cm. Circle 2x2cm at y=5cm. Label below at y+2.5cm, desc at y+4cm, width 5cm each. 21 elements -- use batch. Post-placement: `distribute=horizontal` for precision. ### C.7 Two-Column Split Problem+solution, before/after. Card backgrounds (roundRect) first, then text on top. | Element | X | Y | Width | Height | |---------|---|---|-------|--------| | Left card bg | 2cm | 4.5cm | 14.5cm | 13cm | | Left header | 3cm | 5cm | 12.5cm | 2cm | | Left body | 3cm | 7.5cm | 12.5cm | 9cm | | Right card bg | 17.5cm | 4.5cm | 14.5cm | 13cm | | Right header | 18.5cm | 5cm | 12.5cm | 2cm | | Right body | 18.5cm | 7.5cm | 12.5cm | 9cm | ### C.8 Comparison Table (Full-Width) Title (2cm, 1cm) + table (2cm, 4.5cm, 29.87cm x 13cm). See Section E for construction. ### C.9 Flow Diagram (Connectors) 4-node: x=1, 8.5, 16, 23.5cm. Width 6cm, y=8cm, height 3cm. 5-node: x=0.5, 7, 13.5, 20, 26.5cm. Width 5.5cm. Title = shape[1]. Flow shapes start at shape[2]. Add all shapes BEFORE connectors. Connectors work within the same batch. > **Connector reliability:** Add connectors in a separate batch AFTER all node shapes are created. Verify each connector is visible. If batch connectors are unreliable, add them one at a time with individual `add` commands. ### C.10 Timeline / Roadmap (Horizontal) Spine: connector at y=10cm, full width. 4 milestones (3x3cm circles) at x=4, 12, 20, 28cm, y=8.5cm. Alternating above/below labels: odd at y=5.5cm/7cm, even at y=12cm/13.5cm. ~19 elements -- single batch (reliable). Add the spine connector first: ```bash officecli add deck.pptx "/slide[N]" --type connector --prop preset=straight --prop startX=2cm --prop startY=10cm --prop endX=32cm --prop endY=10cm --prop line=$SECONDARY --prop lineWidth=2pt ``` ### C.11 Avatar Grid **2x2**: circles at (6cm, 4.5cm), (20cm, 4.5cm), (6cm, 12.5cm), (20cm, 12.5cm). Size 3.5x3.5cm. **3-row**: circles at x=4.5, 15.5, 26.5cm, y=5cm. Size 3x3cm. Each member: ellipse + initials overlay + name (bold 14pt) + role (11pt) = 4 elements. Name width 6cm centered. ### C.12 Closing / CTA (Dark Gradient) Mirror slide 1 gradient. Main CTA (44-48pt) at y=4cm, details (16pt) at y=9cm, contact (12pt) at y=15cm. Transition: `fade`. --- ## Section D: Charts ### D.0 Chart Styling Baseline (Mandatory) Apply to EVERY chart. No default PowerPoint styling is acceptable. **Light theme** (white/light backgrounds): ``` plotFill=none, chartFill=none, gridlines="E2E8F0:0.5", axisFont="10:64748B:Calibri", legendFont="10:64748B:Calibri", series.outline="FFFFFF-0.5", legend=bottom ``` **Dark theme** (dark backgrounds): ``` plotFill=none, chartFill=none, gridlines="2A2A4A:0.5", axisFont="10:6B7B8D:Calibri", legendFont="10:6B7B8D:Calibri", series.outline="FFFFFF-0.5", legend=bottom ``` > **`gap` MUST be set via a separate `set` command after chart creation. It is ignored during `add`.** ### D.1 Column Chart (Single Series) ```bash officecli add deck.pptx "/slide[N]" --type chart \ --prop chartType=column --prop title="Quarterly ARR ($K)" \ --prop categories="Q1,Q2,Q3,Q4" --prop series1="ARR:1400,1720,2060,2400" \ --prop x=2cm --prop y=4cm --prop width=18cm --prop height=13cm \ --prop colors=1A73E8 --prop plotFill=none --prop chartFill=none \ --prop "gridlines=E2E8F0:0.5" --prop dataLabels=value --prop labelPos=outsideEnd \ --prop "labelFont=10:64748B:false" --prop "axisFont=10:64748B:Calibri" \ --prop "legendFont=10:64748B:Calibri" --prop "series.outline=FFFFFF-0.5" --prop legend=bottom officecli set deck.pptx "/slide[N]/chart[1]" --prop gap=80 ``` All subsequent chart recipes include the same D.0 baseline props. Only type-specific differences are noted. ### D.2 Multi-Series Column Same as D.1 but with `series1` + `series2` and two colors. Post-creation `gap=80` required. > **Empty series values are not supported.** Use `0` for missing data points: `series1="Actual:1400,1720,2060,2400,0,0,0,0"` / `series2="Projected:0,0,0,0,3000,3800,4700,5800"`. Note: this produces zero-height bars instead of gaps. For true gap visualization, use separate charts. ### D.3 Doughnut `chartType=doughnut`, `data="Rating:42,38,14,4,2"`, `dataLabels=percent`, `legend=right`. No `gap` step needed. Use 5 colors from strong to muted. > **Known limitation: The `colors` parameter may not apply to doughnut charts.** PowerPoint may render doughnut segments in default Office colors instead of specified colors. This is a CLI limitation. Verify colors via screenshot after creation. If colors are wrong, there is currently no workaround. ### D.4 Combo Chart (Dual-Axis) -- HIGHEST RISK > Both `comboSplit=1` AND `secondary=2` are REQUIRED. Missing either causes incorrect rendering. > **HARD RULE: Before creating a combo chart, verify that both series use similar ranges (e.g., both 0-100 or both 0-10). If ranges differ by more than 10x (e.g., $M values vs % values), DO NOT use a combo chart. Instead, create two separate side-by-side charts: a bar chart for the absolute values and a line chart for the percentages. Place them using pattern C.4 (chart left + stats right) or use two 50% width charts.** **Single combo chart (ONLY when both series have similar ranges):** ```bash officecli add deck.pptx "/slide[N]" --type chart \ --prop chartType=combo --prop categories="Year 0,Year 1,Year 2,Year 3" \ --prop "series1=Cost Savings ($M):-0.8,1.2,2.8,3.5" \ --prop "series2=Cumulative ROI (%):-100,50,250,340" \ --prop comboSplit=1 --prop secondary=2 \ --prop colors=00D4AA,FFA502 \ --prop plotFill=none --prop chartFill=none --prop "gridlines=2A2A4A:0.5" \ --prop "axisFont=10:6B7B8D:Calibri" --prop "legendFont=10:6B7B8D:Calibri" \ --prop "series.outline=FFFFFF-0.5" --prop legend=bottom \ --prop x=2cm --prop y=4cm --prop width=29cm --prop height=13cm officecli set deck.pptx "/slide[N]/chart[1]" --prop gap=80 ``` `comboSplit=1` = first series as bars, rest as lines. `secondary=2` = series 2 on secondary Y-axis. **Two-Chart Alternative (REQUIRED when ranges differ by >10x):** Use two separate charts side by side instead of a single combo chart. This avoids the dual-axis scale mismatch that makes the smaller series invisible. ```bash # Left chart: bar chart for absolute values (55% width) officecli add deck.pptx "/slide[N]" --type chart \ --prop chartType=column --prop title="Cost Savings ($M)" \ --prop categories="Year 0,Year 1,Year 2,Year 3" \ --prop "series1=Cost Savings:-0.8,1.2,2.8,3.5" \ --prop colors=00D4AA \ --prop plotFill=none --prop chartFill=none --prop "gridlines=2A2A4A:0.5" \ --prop "axisFont=10:6B7B8D:Calibri" --prop "legendFont=10:6B7B8D:Calibri" \ --prop "series.outline=FFFFFF-0.5" --prop legend=bottom \ --prop x=2cm --prop y=4cm --prop width=15cm --prop height=13cm officecli set deck.pptx "/slide[N]/chart[1]" --prop gap=80 # Right chart: line chart for percentages (45% width) officecli add deck.pptx "/slide[N]" --type chart \ --prop chartType=line --prop title="Cumulative ROI (%)" \ --prop categories="Year 0,Year 1,Year 2,Year 3" \ --prop "series1=ROI:-100,50,250,340" \ --prop colors=FFA502 \ --prop plotFill=none --prop chartFill=none --prop "gridlines=2A2A4A:0.5" \ --prop "axisFont=10:6B7B8D:Calibri" --prop "legendFont=10:6B7B8D:Calibri" \ --prop "series.outline=FFFFFF-0.5" --prop legend=bottom \ --prop x=18cm --prop y=4cm --prop width=14cm --prop height=13cm ``` ### D.5 Radar Chart `chartType=radar`, 3 series via `series1`/`series2`/`series3`. Position: x=4cm, width=26cm, height=14cm. Include D.0 dark-theme baseline. No `gap` step needed. ### D.6 Stacked Area Chart `chartType=areaStacked`, 3 series. Position: x=2cm, width=17cm, height=13cm. Include D.0 light-theme baseline. No `gap` step needed. --- ## Section E: Tables > **CONSTRUCTION ORDER (violating this produces inconsistent fonts):** > 1. Create table (`add --type table`) > 2. Populate all rows with `set tr[N]` > 3. Set table-level `size`/`font`/`border` > 4. Apply cell-level styling (`fill`, `bold` only -- NOT cell-level `color`) > **Cell-level `color` produces validation errors.** Use row-level `color` when populating rows. For cell-level styling, use only `fill` and `bold`. ### E.1 Comparison Table ```bash officecli add deck.pptx "/slide[N]" --type table \ --prop rows=7 --prop cols=5 --prop x=2cm --prop y=4.5cm --prop width=29.87cm --prop height=13cm officecli set deck.pptx "/slide[N]/table[1]/tr[1]" \ --prop c1="Feature" --prop c2="DataFlow" --prop c3="Fivetran" --prop c4="Airbyte" --prop c5="Stitch" \ --prop bold=true --prop fill=0F2B46 --prop color=FFFFFF --prop size=12 officecli set deck.pptx "/slide[N]/table[1]/tr[2]" \ --prop c1="No-code setup" --prop c2="Yes" --prop c3="Partial" --prop c4="No" --prop c5="Partial" --prop size=11 # ... populate remaining rows, then table-level font ... officecli set deck.pptx "/slide[N]/table[1]" --prop size=11 --prop font=Calibri --prop border=E0E0E0 # Highlight "your product" column: cell-level fill + bold only (NO cell-level color) officecli set deck.pptx "/slide[N]/table[1]/tr[2]/tc[2]" --prop fill=E8F0FE --prop bold=true ``` ### E.2 Pricing Table (3-Tier) Same create -> populate -> table-level font -> cell-level fill pattern. 6 rows x 4 cols. Header: `fill=$PRIMARY, color=FFFFFF, bold, size=14`. Recommended column: highlight header cell `fill=F9AB00`, body cells `fill=F0EEFF` (fill only, no cell-level color). ### E.3 Financial Impact Table (with Cell Merge) ```bash officecli add deck.pptx "/slide[N]" --type table \ --prop rows=10 --prop cols=4 --prop x=2cm --prop y=5cm --prop width=29.87cm --prop height=13cm # Header officecli set deck.pptx "/slide[N]/table[1]/tr[1]" \ --prop c1="" --prop c2="Without" --prop c3="With" --prop c4="Improvement" \ --prop bold=true --prop fill=00D4AA --prop color=0D0D1A --prop size=12 # Section header: populate THEN merge officecli set deck.pptx "/slide[N]/table[1]/tr[2]" \ --prop c1="INCIDENT METRICS" --prop bold=true --prop fill=1A1A3E --prop color=00D4AA --prop size=11 officecli set deck.pptx "/slide[N]/table[1]/tr[2]/tc[1]" --prop merge.right=3 # Data rows, more section headers, then table-level styling... officecli set deck.pptx "/slide[N]/table[1]" --prop size=11 --prop font=Calibri --prop border=2A2A4A ``` `merge.right=3` merges tc[1] with 3 cells to its right (4-column span). After merge, only set content on tc[1]. See H-5 for validation warning. --- ## Section F: Visual Polish ### F.1 Gradient Backgrounds ```bash # Linear 2-color with angle officecli add deck.pptx / --type slide --prop layout=blank --prop "background=0F2B46-0A1628-180" # Radial gradient officecli add deck.pptx / --type slide --prop layout=blank --prop "background=radial:0D0D1A-1A1A3E-center" # Linear 3-color (no custom stops) officecli set deck.pptx "/slide[N]" --prop "background=1E2761-4472C4-CADCFC" ``` > **Custom gradient stop positions (`@` syntax) are NOT supported for slide backgrounds.** Both `add` and `set` fail with "Invalid color value" when using `C1@0-C2@70-C3@100` on slide backgrounds. Use simple 2-color or 3-color gradients. The `@` syntax works only on shape `gradient` fills (e.g., `--prop "gradient=FF0000@0-FFFF00@50-00FF00@100"` on a shape). ### F.2 Transitions ```bash # Title and closing slides officecli set deck.pptx "/slide[1]" --prop transition=fade officecli set deck.pptx "/slide[N]" --prop transition=fade # Content slides officecli set deck.pptx "/slide[2]" --prop transition=push-left ``` Use at most 2-3 transition types per deck. Dark themes may use `fade` throughout. ### F.3 Entrance Animations (Case Study Reveals Only) Use sparingly -- only for sequential stat reveals on case study slides. ```bash # First stat: click-triggered officecli set deck.pptx "/slide[N]/shape[2]" --prop animation=fade-entrance-400-click # Subsequent stats: auto-after with 200ms delay officecli set deck.pptx "/slide[N]/shape[3]" --prop animation=fade-entrance-400-after-delay=200 officecli set deck.pptx "/slide[N]/shape[4]" --prop animation=fade-entrance-400-after-delay=200 ``` Transitions and animations coexist without conflict. ### F.4 z-Order Management Add background shapes first, content shapes second to avoid z-order changes. If needed: `--prop zorder=back` / `zorder=front`. Warning: z-order changes renumber shape indices -- process highest index first. ### F.5 Connectors Add all shapes BEFORE connectors. Title = shape[1], flow shapes start at shape[2]. Connectors can reference shapes from the same batch. ```bash officecli add deck.pptx "/slide[N]" --type connector \ --prop preset=elbow --prop startShape=2 --prop endShape=3 \ --prop line=1A73E8 --prop lineWidth=2pt --prop tailEnd=triangle ``` ### F.6 Align and Distribute ```bash officecli set deck.pptx "/slide[N]" --prop distribute=horizontal --prop "targets=shape[2],shape[4],shape[6]" officecli set deck.pptx "/slide[N]" --prop align=bottom --prop "targets=shape[2],shape[4],shape[6]" ``` --- ## Section G: QA Checklist Run before every delivery. ### Automated ```bash # Must return zero errors (see H-5 for cell merge exception) officecli validate deck.pptx # Check for issues officecli view deck.pptx issues ``` ### Manual Verification - [ ] `officecli validate` = 0 errors (exception: cell merge slides may report schema warnings) - [ ] Every chart is editable in PowerPoint (click -> Edit Data appears) - [ ] Every table is a native table object (click -> table editing mode) - [ ] No two consecutive slides share the same layout structure - [ ] Speaker notes on every content slide (all except title and closing), >= 2 sentences each - [ ] All text fully visible (no overflow, no overlap, no off-slide) - [ ] At least one slide has 3+ stat callouts with number >= 36pt and label <= 16pt - [ ] Gradient background on both slide 1 and last slide - [ ] Color palette consistent across all slides (no random/default colors) - [ ] On dark-background slides, verify all text uses light colors (no default black text) - [ ] Charts use modern styling (plotFill=none, chartFill=none, subtle gridlines) --- ## Section H: Known Bugs & Lessons > **Read these before building. Each one has caused production failures.** > > **HARD RULE items are non-negotiable -- violation produces broken output. WARNING items are strong guidance that should be followed unless you have a specific reason not to. Known limitation items cannot be worked around.** | # | Issue | Workaround | |---|-------|-----------| | H-1 | `gap` ignored during chart `add` | Apply via `officecli set "/slide[N]/chart[1]" --prop gap=80` after creation | | H-2 | Table font cascade overwritten by row `set` | Set table-level `size`/`font` AFTER all rows populated | | H-3 | Shell `$` in batch JSON (e.g., `$10M`) | Use heredoc: `cat <<'EOF' \| officecli batch` | | H-4 | Combo chart requires both `comboSplit=1` AND `secondary=2` | Missing either causes incorrect rendering. Always include both | | H-5 | Cell merge (`merge.right=N`) produces validation errors | PowerPoint renders correctly. Note in delivery message | | H-6 | Cell-level `color` on table cells causes validation errors | Use row-level `color` instead; cell-level `fill` + `bold` only | | H-7 | Custom gradient stops (`@`) fail on slide backgrounds | Use 2/3-color gradients. `@` syntax works only on shape `gradient` fills | | H-8 | Connector shape indices: title = shape[1] | Flow shapes start at shape[2]. Count from first shape on slide | | H-9 | z-order changes cause shape index renumbering | Process highest index first. Re-query with `get --depth 1` if needed | | H-10 | Chart series count fixed at creation | Include ALL series in `add`. To add series, delete and recreate | | H-11 | Dark theme text invisible (defaults to black) | Explicitly set light `color` on every text shape on dark backgrounds | | H-12 | zsh glob-expands `[N]` in paths | Always double-quote: `"/slide[1]/chart[1]"` | | H-13 | Batch threshold | Reliable for up to ~20 operations per batch. Split larger batches into groups of 15-20. Heredoc syntax mandatory | | H-14 | Connector arrows may not all render in batch | Add connectors in separate batch after shapes. If still missing, add one at a time | | H-15 | Doughnut chart `colors` parameter may not apply | CLI accepts the parameter without error but PowerPoint renders default colors. No workaround. Verify via screenshot. | | H-16 | Empty table cell string `c1=""` causes validation error | Use a space character `c1=" "` instead of empty string for blank cells |