How to Create a Slide Deck Template

Step 1: Identify data elements for automation

To create a slide deck template, make a copy of a prior version of your report and identify the fields that change from one version to another, such as charts, data tables, metrics, client names, and images. Replace these elements with placeholders to be filled in by automation.

Step 2: Create placeholders

Slideform uses curly braces, {{ and }}, to identify placeholders, called "pragmas", that will be replaced in the presentation output. Any other text and content on the slides will appear the same in the final presentation.

Make a template version of your deck in either Google Slides or PowerPoint. Save it as a regular presentation, not a "template" type.

Tips for creating placeholders:

Charts: Create a shape on the slide to hold the chart, then double-click inside the shape and type in the placeholder, like {{chart: name}}.
Images: Create a shape on the slide to hold the image. Note you can use any shape, not just a rectangle and auto-crop the image to the shape. Double-click inside the shape and type in the placeholder, like {{image: name}}.

Data tables: Just like charts and images, create a shape on the slide to hold the table, then double-click inside the shape and type in the placeholder, like {{data: name}}.

Text, numbers, KPIs: Create a text placeholder with the font, size, and color that you want in the output.

Note: Avoid spaces at the beginning or end of the pragma, such as {{ image: name}} because this can cause problems with the pragma.

Step 3: Upload your template

If you use Google Slides, Authenticate with Google to easily pull in your template.

Log into Slideform and use the main menu to navigate to New Project.

1. Follow the setup steps to name your project and upload or link the template file.

There are many ways to connect your template to Slideform: Select the file from Google Drive or OneDrive, or enter the Google Slides URL, or upload a PPT.

2. Slideform will read in the template and display a preview of the slides.

3. Enable one or more data sources that you will use to fill in the placeholders.

4. Map your data to the placeholders in the template. For each placeholder in your template:

Click on the placeholder field
Select your data source (e.g., Slideform BI, Google Sheets, Salesforce)
Choose the specific data element (chart, table, or value)
Configure any additional options (filters, formatting, etc.)

Click Save Project to save your work. You do not need to complete mapping all placeholders at once, you can save the project and resume later.

5. Advanced Options include setting the output filename and directory, scheduling the automation, and sharing the project with your team.

After saving, the project will appear as a card on the projects page. Click Configure to open the project to complete the data mapping or edit the settings any time.