MMA PowerPoint Builder

Generate slides that inherit MMA's real template structure, use the correct master layouts, preserve logo/header positioning, and produce visually strong shape-based slides.

Colors, fonts, tone, naming: See mma-brand-guidelines skill. This skill covers PPTX-specific construction rules only.

1. Template — Finding It

Always start from the official MMA template. Never build from a blank Presentation().

Canonical template (as of April 2026): MMA_PPT_Template_v2.1_2026.pptx — 6 slide masters (Core Gold + 4 think tanks + Charts and Tables). Pre-converted from the POTX source so python-pptx opens it directly.

Template discovery — try in this order

Step 1 — Local project directory (Claude Code / Cowork only; skip on claude.ai).

find . -maxdepth 4 -iname "MMA*Template*.pptx" -o -iname "MMA*Template*.potx" 2>/dev/null

If you cloned the MAVEN repo, the template also lives at templates/MMA_PPT_Template_v2.1_2026.pptx within that repo.

Step 2 — Public download waterfall (primary for claude.ai and any environment without SharePoint binary access).

The MS 365 / SharePoint connector in claude.ai cannot return the binary of a .pptx file — it only extracts text. Use the public download waterfall instead. Try each in order; stop at the first success.

Download destination: /tmp/MMA_Template.pptx (claude.ai) or ./MMA_Template.pptx (Claude Code).

Option A — GitHub raw (primary, public MAVEN repo):

curl -L -o MMA_Template.pptx "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/alectivism/MAVEN/main/templates/MMA_PPT_Template_v2.1_2026.pptx"

Option B — Dropbox (fallback):

curl -L -o MMA_Template.pptx "https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/9ik7pgiwxzxh3bbo50sbk/MMA-PPT-Template-v2.1-2026.pptx?rlkey=w9ldavfftrs2246h9x914xtyx&dl=1"

&dl=1 (not &dl=0) forces a direct binary download.

Option C — Google Drive (last resort):

curl -L -o MMA_Template.pptx "https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1KahihBYQ7AO9KpkeC__KP8afcHBg2Wa4"

In claude.ai (no bash), use the Python tool:

import urllib.request
urllib.request.urlretrieve(
    "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/alectivism/MAVEN/main/templates/MMA_PPT_Template_v2.1_2026.pptx",
    "/tmp/MMA_Template.pptx",
)

Verify the download is a real PPTX, not an HTML error page:

from pptx import Presentation
prs = Presentation("/tmp/MMA_Template.pptx")
assert len(prs.slide_masters) == 6, "Wrong template — should have 6 masters"

If this fails, delete the file and fall through to the next option.

Step 3 — SharePoint via Microsoft connector (locates but CANNOT return binary). Use only to confirm version or find a newer template — not to build from. File name: MMA PPT Template v2.1 2026.potx. Path: MMA Internal > Documents > General > Marketing + Media Alliance MMA Brand Kit 2025.

Step 4 — Synced OneDrive app (Claude Code / Cowork only, macOS).

/Users/<username>/Library/CloudStorage/OneDrive-MMAGlobal/MMA Internal - Documents/General/Marketing + Media Alliance MMA Brand Kit 2025/MMA PPT Template v2.1 2026.potx

POTX → PPTX conversion (legacy — usually not needed)

The public download waterfall serves a pre-converted .pptx directly, so most runs skip this. Only needed if starting from a raw .potx. python-pptx cannot open .potx — throws ValueError: not a PowerPoint file. Patch the content type:

import zipfile

def potx_to_pptx(src_potx, dst_pptx):
    with zipfile.ZipFile(src_potx, "r") as zin, \
         zipfile.ZipFile(dst_pptx, "w", zipfile.ZIP_DEFLATED) as zout:
        for item in zin.infolist():
            data = zin.read(item.filename)
            if item.filename == "[Content_Types].xml":
                data = data.replace(
                    b"presentationml.template.main+xml",
                    b"presentationml.presentation.main+xml",
                )
            zout.writestr(item, data)

from pptx import Presentation
prs = Presentation("MMA_Template.pptx")

New slides inherit the real masters, logo placement, slide numbers, and footer positions.

2. Slide Layout Index Map

Layout 7 is the workhorse. It has placeholder[0] (title) and placeholder[12] (slide number) but no body placeholder. Shapes go directly on the slide.

Layout 8 has placeholder[1] (body). Use ph = slide.placeholders[1]; ph.text = "" to clear it, then add shapes.

# Remove all sample slides from template before adding your own
while len(prs.slides) > 0:
    rId = prs.slides._sldIdLst[0].get(qn('r:id'))
    prs.part.drop_rel(rId)
    prs.slides._sldIdLst.remove(prs.slides._sldIdLst[0])

3. Typography (PPTX-Specific Sizes)

Leading: +10% for headlines, +20% for body. Tracking: 0.

4. Color Usage in Slides

Full hex/RGB values are in mma-brand-guidelines. Key PPTX rules:

• 75% tints for shape fills, accent bars, card backgrounds, diagram nodes. Use tints far more than full-saturation fills.
• Full-saturation colors for text accents, borders, small bars, emphasis, title colors on accent-bar cards.
• NEVER same-hue text on same-hue background. No gold text on gold card. No blue text on blue-tint card.
• Card body text: Black (#000000) or dark gray (#333333) on light fills. White (#FFFFFF) on dark fills.
• Default slide bg: White. Section dividers: Gold bg with black text.

Quick Reference (PPTX constants)

GOLD      = RGBColor(0xFF, 0xA4, 0x00)
BLACK     = RGBColor(0x00, 0x00, 0x00)
WHITE     = RGBColor(0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF)
EMERALD   = RGBColor(0x00, 0xAB, 0x84)
SAPPHIRE  = RGBColor(0x00, 0x47, 0xBB)
TOPAZ     = RGBColor(0xE2, 0x57, 0x00)
PERIDOT   = RGBColor(0xB5, 0xC9, 0x00)

LT_GOLD     = RGBColor(0xFF, 0xBB, 0x4D)
LT_EMERALD  = RGBColor(0x66, 0xCD, 0xB7)
LT_SAPPHIRE = RGBColor(0x40, 0x79, 0xD6)
LT_TOPAZ    = RGBColor(0xE9, 0x8B, 0x4D)
LT_PERIDOT  = RGBColor(0xD6, 0xE4, 0x66)

DARK_GRAY   = RGBColor(0x33, 0x33, 0x33)
MED_GRAY    = RGBColor(0x66, 0x66, 0x66)
LIGHT_BG    = RGBColor(0xF5, 0xF5, 0xF5)
CREAM       = RGBColor(0xFF, 0xF5, 0xE0)
ALT_ROW     = RGBColor(0xEB, 0xEB, 0xEB)
BORDER_CLR  = RGBColor(0xE0, 0xE0, 0xE0)

5. Shape Construction Patterns

General Rules

• Use shapes actively. Most slides should be shape-driven, not plain bullets.
• Put text inside shapes whenever possible.
• Internal margins: margin_left=0.25", margin_right=0.25", margin_top=0.15", margin_bottom=0.15".
• Keep corner radii subtle (adj=5000), not cartoonish.
• Keep card groups centered and balanced.
• Protect the MMA logo area: keep content out of the bottom-right ~1.5" x 0.8".

Tight Corner Radius Helper

All ROUNDED_RECTANGLE shapes should use tight corners:

def set_tight_corners(shape, adj=5000):
    sp = shape._element
    prstGeom = sp.find(".//" + qn("a:prstGeom"))
    if prstGeom is not None:
        avLst = prstGeom.find(qn("a:avLst"))
        if avLst is None:
            avLst = etree.SubElement(prstGeom, qn("a:avLst"))
        for gd in avLst.findall(qn("a:gd")):
            avLst.remove(gd)
        gd_el = etree.SubElement(avLst, qn("a:gd"))
        gd_el.set("name", "adj")
        gd_el.set("fmla", f"val {adj}")

def add_rounded_card(slide, left, top, width, height, fill_color=LIGHT_BG):
    s = slide.shapes.add_shape(MSO_SHAPE.ROUNDED_RECTANGLE, left, top, width, height)
    s.fill.solid(); s.fill.fore_color.rgb = fill_color
    s.line.fill.background()
    set_tight_corners(s)
    return s

6. Accent Bar Cards

Top-bar cards are the canonical default. They are more reliable than left-bar cards for correct corner geometry.

Top Bar Card (preferred)

Sharp top corners, rounded bottom corners. Uses ROUND_2_SAME_RECTANGLE rotated 180 degrees.

Critical: Because the shape is rotated, text inside it renders upside-down. Always use a separate overlaid text box for content.

def add_r2s_card(slide, left, top, width, height, fill_color=LIGHT_BG,
                 rotation=0.0, adj1=5000, adj2=0):
    """ROUND_2_SAME_RECTANGLE via preset geometry.
    rotation=180 -> sharp top, rounded bottom (for top bar cards)
    """
    s = slide.shapes.add_shape(MSO_SHAPE.RECTANGLE, left, top, width, height)
    sp = s._element
    prstGeom = sp.find(".//" + qn("a:prstGeom"))
    prstGeom.set("prst", "round2SameRect")
    avLst = prstGeom.find(qn("a:avLst"))
    if avLst is None:
        avLst = etree.SubElement(prstGeom, qn("a:avLst"))
    for gd in avLst.findall(qn("a:gd")):
        avLst.remove(gd)
    gd1 = etree.SubElement(avLst, qn("a:gd"))
    gd1.set("name", "adj1"); gd1.set("fmla", f"val {adj1}")
    gd2 = etree.SubElement(avLst, qn("a:gd"))
    gd2.set("name", "adj2"); gd2.set("fmla", f"val {adj2}")
    s.fill.solid(); s.fill.fore_color.rgb = fill_color
    s.line.fill.background()
    if rotation:
        s.rotation = rotation
    return s

Usage pattern:

# 1. Card body (sharp top, rounded bottom)
card = add_r2s_card(slide, x, y, card_w, card_h,
                    fill_color=LIGHT_BG, rotation=180.0)

# 2. Accent bar flush on top (75% tint color)
add_rect(slide, x, y, card_w, Inches(0.07), LT_GOLD)

# 3. Text in SEPARATE overlaid text boxes (not inside the rotated shape)
add_textbox(slide, x + Inches(0.3), y + Inches(0.25),
            card_w - Inches(0.6), Inches(0.4),
            title, FT, Pt(20), BLACK, bold=True)
add_textbox(slide, x + Inches(0.3), y + Inches(0.8),
            card_w - Inches(0.6), Inches(1.8),
            body, FB, Pt(16), DARK_GRAY)

Left Bar Card (fallback)

Use only when the design specifically calls for it. Uses standard ROUNDED_RECTANGLE with a bar rectangle overlaid on the left side (masks rounded corners). Text goes inside the card shape (not rotated, so text works normally).

# 1. Card body with text inside
card = add_rounded_card(slide, x, y, card_w, card_h, LIGHT_BG)
tf = card.text_frame
tf.word_wrap = True
tf.margin_left = Inches(0.35)  # Extra left margin to clear the bar
tf.margin_right = Inches(0.2)
tf.margin_top = Inches(0.2)
# ... add text to tf ...

# 2. Left bar ADDED AFTER card (higher z-order masks rounded left corners)
add_rect(slide, x, y, Inches(0.07), card_h, LT_GOLD)

The bar must be added AFTER the card so it sits on top in z-order.

7. Callout Boxes

Cream callout (default)

box = add_rounded_card(slide, left, top, width, height, CREAM)
box.line.color.rgb = GOLD
box.line.width = Pt(2)
tf = box.text_frame
tf.word_wrap = True
tf.margin_left = Inches(0.3)
tf.margin_right = Inches(0.3)
tf.margin_top = Inches(0.15)
p = tf.paragraphs[0]
p.alignment = PP_ALIGN.LEFT
r1 = p.add_run()  # Label
r1.text = "Tip: "
r1.font.name = FT; r1.font.size = Pt(16)
r1.font.color.rgb = GOLD; r1.font.bold = True
r2 = p.add_run()  # Body (inline, same paragraph)
r2.text = "Your tip text here."
r2.font.name = FB; r2.font.size = Pt(14)
r2.font.color.rgb = DARK_GRAY

Dark callout

Black fill (#000000), gold label, white body text. Same structure, different colors.

Neutral callout

Light gray fill (#F5F5F5), thin gray border (#E0E0E0, 1pt), dark gray label.

8. Tables

Always use native PowerPoint table objects. Never fake tables with shapes.

def style_table(table):
    """Remove default table styling for manual control."""
    tbl_el = table._tbl
    tblPr = tbl_el.find(qn("a:tblPr"))
    if tblPr is None:
        tblPr = etree.SubElement(tbl_el, qn("a:tblPr"))
    tblPr.set("bandRow", "0")
    tblPr.set("firstRow", "0")
    tblPr.set("firstCol", "0")
    for ts in tblPr.findall(qn("a:tblStyle")):
        tblPr.remove(ts)

def set_cell_border(cell, color_hex="D0D0D0", width_pt=0.5):
    tc = cell._tc
    tcPr = tc.find(qn("a:tcPr"))
    if tcPr is None:
        tcPr = etree.SubElement(tc, qn("a:tcPr"))
    for side in ["lnL", "lnR", "lnT", "lnB"]:
        ln = tcPr.find(qn(f"a:{side}"))
        if ln is not None:
            tcPr.remove(ln)
        ln = etree.SubElement(tcPr, qn(f"a:{side}"))
        ln.set("w", str(int(width_pt * 12700)))
        ln.set("cmpd", "sng")
        solidFill = etree.SubElement(ln, qn("a:solidFill"))
        srgb = etree.SubElement(solidFill, qn("a:srgbClr"))
        srgb.set("val", color_hex)

Table styling rules

9. Flow Diagrams

# Nodes: rounded rectangle with 75% tint fill
node = slide.shapes.add_shape(MSO_SHAPE.ROUNDED_RECTANGLE, x, y, w, h)
node.fill.solid(); node.fill.fore_color.rgb = LT_GOLD
node.line.fill.background()
set_tight_corners(node, adj=5000)

# Connectors: real RIGHT_ARROW shapes (NOT line + triangle)
arrow = slide.shapes.add_shape(MSO_SHAPE.RIGHT_ARROW, ax, ay, Inches(0.3), Inches(0.2))
arrow.fill.solid(); arrow.fill.fore_color.rgb = MED_GRAY
arrow.line.fill.background()

• Keep ~0.15" gap between arrows and nodes on both sides.
• Labels go inside the nodes, centered.
• Use Halbfett 14pt for node text.
• Below-node labels in Leicht 14pt medium gray.

10. Other Elements

Numbered circles

s = slide.shapes.add_shape(MSO_SHAPE.OVAL, left, top, Inches(0.5), Inches(0.5))
s.fill.solid(); s.fill.fore_color.rgb = GOLD; s.line.fill.background()
tf = s.text_frame; tf.word_wrap = False
tf.margin_left = tf.margin_right = tf.margin_top = tf.margin_bottom = Inches(0)
p = tf.paragraphs[0]; p.alignment = PP_ALIGN.CENTER
r = p.add_run()
r.text = "1"; r.font.name = FT; r.font.size = Pt(18)
r.font.color.rgb = WHITE; r.font.bold = True

Separator lines

Thin RECTANGLE shapes, not underscores or line objects:

s = slide.shapes.add_shape(MSO_SHAPE.RECTANGLE, left, top, width, Pt(1))
s.fill.solid(); s.fill.fore_color.rgb = BORDER_CLR; s.line.fill.background()

Bullet formatting

Use unicode bullet prefix with spacing for consistent indentation:

r.text = "\u2022  " + item_text  # bullet + 2 spaces

11. Slide Number Helper

def set_slide_number(slide, num):
    for ph in slide.placeholders:
        if ph.placeholder_format.idx == 12:
            ph.text = str(num)
            for r in ph.text_frame.paragraphs[0].runs:
                r.font.size = Pt(10)
            return

12. Logo Safe Area

The template places the MMA logo in the lower-right corner.

• Do not overlap the logo with text or shapes.
• Keep content out of the bottom-right ~1.5" x 0.8".
• For dense slides: stop content above that zone, or place a white backing rectangle behind content.

13. Design Behavior Rules

• Most slides should be shape-driven, not plain bullets.
• One idea per slide. Lead with the takeaway, not a generic topic label.
• Don't let 3+ consecutive slides feel identically templated.
• Prefer clean layouts with white space.
• Avoid overcrowding and shape overlaps.
• Keep groups visually centered: center_x = (slide_width - total_width) / 2.

14. Critical DO NOT Rules

15. Practical Revision Rule

If the user says a slide or pattern is good, preserve it. Do not reopen solved problems unless later feedback supersedes them. Iterate only on parts the user says still need work.

16. Claude for PowerPoint Add-in

When generating custom instructions for the Claude PowerPoint add-in (not python-pptx), apply the same brand logic but note:

• Edit points manually for true sharp bar-side corners on left-bar cards.
• Subtitle belongs in the same text box as the title (second paragraph).
• Follow the same master-selection rules.
• The add-in can achieve geometry that python-pptx cannot (e.g., perfect left-bar corners via point editing).

17. Required Imports

from pptx import Presentation
from pptx.util import Inches, Pt, Emu
from pptx.dml.color import RGBColor
from pptx.enum.text import PP_ALIGN, MSO_ANCHOR
from pptx.enum.shapes import MSO_SHAPE
from pptx.oxml.ns import qn
from lxml import etree