What You’ll Learn
PPT to Video
Convert PowerPoint slides into video scenes
AI Voice-Over
Add professional narration automatically
Slide-by-Slide
Each slide becomes a scene with narration
Auto Processing
Automatic text extraction and voice generation
Before You Begin
Make sure you have:- A Pictory API key (get one here)
- Node.js or Python installed on your machine
- PowerPoint file accessible via public URL
- Basic understanding of voice-over concepts
How PowerPoint-to-Video Works
When you convert a PowerPoint presentation to video:- File Processing - Your PPT file is accessed and parsed
- Slide Extraction - Each slide becomes a separate video scene
- Text Extraction - Text content is extracted from slides for narration
- Visual Preservation - Slide designs and visuals are maintained
- Voice Generation - AI creates natural narration from extracted text
- Video Rendering - Final video is assembled with voice-over synchronized to slides
The PowerPoint file must be accessible via a public URL. Upload your file to cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, AWS S3) and use the public share link.
Complete Example
Understanding the Parameters
Main Request Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
videoName | string | Yes | A descriptive name for your video project |
url | string | Yes | Public URL to the PowerPoint file (.ppt or .pptx) |
voiceOver | object | No | Voice-over configuration (omit for video without narration) |
Voice-Over Configuration
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
enabled | boolean | Yes | Set to true to enable voice-over |
aiVoices | array | Yes | Array of AI voice configurations |
speaker | string | Yes | AI voice name (e.g., “Brian”, “Emma”) |
speed | number | No | Voice speed 50-200 (default: 100 = normal) |
amplificationLevel | number | No | Volume level -1 to 1 (default: 0 = normal) |
Supported File Formats
| Format | Extension | Description |
|---|---|---|
| PowerPoint 2007+ | .pptx | Modern PowerPoint format (recommended) |
| PowerPoint 97-2003 | .ppt | Legacy PowerPoint format |
Common Use Cases
Training and Education
Sales Presentations
Webinar Content
Best Practices
Prepare Your PowerPoint File
Prepare Your PowerPoint File
Optimize your slides for video conversion:
- Clear Text: Use readable fonts and sufficient font size (24pt minimum)
- Simple Layouts: Avoid overly complex slide designs
- Concise Content: Keep text brief - narration works better with short phrases
- Consistent Style: Use consistent formatting across all slides
- High Quality Images: Use high-resolution images that look good in video
Make Files Publicly Accessible
Make Files Publicly Accessible
Ensure your PowerPoint file can be accessed:
- Cloud Storage: Upload to Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, or AWS S3
- Public Link: Generate a public sharing link (no login required)
- Direct URL: Use the direct file URL, not a preview or viewer link
- Test Access: Open the URL in an incognito browser to verify public access
- Stable URL: Ensure the link won’t expire during processing
Choose Appropriate Voice Settings
Choose Appropriate Voice Settings
Select voice settings that match your content:
- Training/Education: Use slower speeds (90-100) for comprehension
- Sales/Marketing: Use slightly faster speeds (105-115) for energy
- Technical Content: Use clear voices like Brian or Emma
- Consistency: Use the same voice across related presentations
- Test First: Create a sample video to preview voice quality
Optimize Slide Content for Narration
Optimize Slide Content for Narration
Structure your slides for voice-over:
- Full Sentences: Write complete sentences, not just bullet points
- Natural Language: Text should sound natural when read aloud
- Proper Punctuation: Use periods, commas for natural pauses
- Avoid Abbreviations: Spell out acronyms on first use
- Logical Flow: Ensure text flows naturally from slide to slide
Consider Presentation Length
Consider Presentation Length
Plan for appropriate video duration:
- Short Presentations: 5-10 slides work well for social media
- Medium Presentations: 15-25 slides for training or tutorials
- Long Presentations: Break 30+ slide decks into multiple videos
- Processing Time: More slides = longer processing time
- Viewer Attention: Keep videos under 10 minutes for better engagement
Troubleshooting
Error: Unable to access PowerPoint file
Error: Unable to access PowerPoint file
Problem: The API cannot download or access your PPT file.Solution:
- Verify the URL is publicly accessible (test in incognito browser)
- Check that the URL is a direct file link, not a preview page
- For Google Drive: Right-click → Share → “Anyone with the link”
- For Dropbox: Use the direct download link, not the preview link
- Ensure the file hasn’t expired or been deleted
- Try re-uploading the file and generating a new link
Slides appear in wrong order or missing
Slides appear in wrong order or missing
Problem: Video doesn’t include all slides or they’re out of sequence.Solution:
- Verify all slides are present in the original PowerPoint
- Check for hidden slides in PowerPoint - unhide them before uploading
- Ensure slide numbers are sequential
- Re-save the PowerPoint file and upload again
- Try exporting as .pptx if using an older .ppt format
Voice-over doesn't match slide content
Voice-over doesn't match slide content
Problem: Narration seems unrelated to what’s shown on slides.Solution:
- The AI narrates visible text on slides
- Check that slides contain actual text content (not just images)
- If using images with embedded text, add actual text boxes
- For slides with minimal text, consider using speaker notes instead
- See the PowerPoint with Speaker Notes guide
Some slides have no narration
Some slides have no narration
Problem: Video plays slides with no voice-over.Solution:
- Verify those slides contain text in PowerPoint
- Text must be in actual text boxes, not part of images
- Add descriptive text to image-only slides
- Or use the
useSpeakerNotes: trueparameter with speaker notes - Check that text isn’t white-on-white or otherwise hidden
Processing takes too long
Processing takes too long
Problem: Job status shows “in-progress” for extended periods.Solution:
- PowerPoint processing time depends on number of slides
- Expected times:
- 5-10 slides: 5-8 minutes
- 15-20 slides: 10-15 minutes
- 30+ slides: 20-30 minutes
- Large file sizes (with many images) take longer
- Check job status every 5-10 seconds (not more frequently)
- If stuck for over an hour, contact support with job ID
Next Steps
Enhance your PowerPoint videos with these features:Speaker Notes Narration
Use speaker notes instead of slide text for narration
Background Music
Add music to complement your presentation
Brand Settings
Apply consistent branding to all your videos
Custom Captions
Add translated or custom subtitles
API Reference
For complete technical details, see:- Render Storyboard Video - Full API specification
- Get Voiceover Tracks - List available AI voices
- Get Job Status - Monitor job status and progress
