Skip to main content
This guide shows you how to create videos from PowerPoint files using speaker notes for voice-over narration instead of slide text. Perfect when your slides contain minimal text or visual-heavy designs, but you have detailed explanations in the speaker notes.

What You’ll Learn

PPT to Video

Convert PowerPoint files to video automatically

Speaker Notes

Use speaker notes for voice-over narration

AI Voice-Over

Generate professional narration from notes

Flexible Narration

Choose between slide text or speaker notes

Before You Begin

Make sure you have:
  • A Pictory API key (get one here)
  • Node.js or Python installed on your machine
  • PowerPoint file with speaker notes accessible via public URL
  • Basic understanding of PowerPoint speaker notes
npm install axios

How Speaker Notes Narration Works

When you use speaker notes for narration:
  1. File Processing - Your PPT file is accessed and parsed
  2. Slide Extraction - Each slide becomes a video scene
  3. Notes Extraction - Speaker notes are extracted from each slide
  4. Visual Preservation - Slide designs remain intact as scene backgrounds
  5. Voice Generation - AI creates narration from speaker notes, not slide text
  6. Video Rendering - Final video combines slides with notes-based narration
Speaker notes provide more natural, conversational narration compared to reading slide bullet points. This is ideal for presentations designed for visual impact where notes contain the full explanation.

Complete Example

import axios from "axios";

const API_BASE_URL = "https://api.pictory.ai/pictoryapis";
const API_KEY = "YOUR_API_KEY";

// Sample PPT URL - replace with your own PPT file URL
const PPT_URL = "https://pictory-static.pictorycontent.com/sample_ppt_with_notes.pptx";

async function createPptToVideoWithSpeakerNotes() {
  try {
    console.log("Creating video from PowerPoint with speaker notes...");

    const response = await axios.post(
      `${API_BASE_URL}/v2/video/storyboard/render`,
      {
        videoName: "ppt_to_video_speaker_notes",
        url: PPT_URL,
        useSpeakerNotes: true,             // Use speaker notes for narration

        // Voice-over configuration
        voiceOver: {
          enabled: true,                    // Enable voice-over
          aiVoices: [
            {
              speaker: "Brian",              // AI voice name
              speed: 100,                    // Normal speaking speed
              amplificationLevel: 0,         // Normal volume
            },
          ],
        },
      },
      {
        headers: {
          "Content-Type": "application/json",
          Authorization: API_KEY,
        },
      }
    );

    const jobId = response.data.data.jobId;
    console.log("✓ Video creation started!");
    console.log("Job ID:", jobId);

    // Monitor progress
    console.log("\nMonitoring video creation...");
    let jobCompleted = false;
    let jobResult = null;

    while (!jobCompleted) {
      const statusResponse = await axios.get(
        `${API_BASE_URL}/v1/jobs/${jobId}`,
        {
          headers: { Authorization: API_KEY },
        }
      );

      const status = statusResponse.data.data.status;
      console.log("Status:", status);

      if (status === "completed") {
        jobCompleted = true;
        jobResult = statusResponse.data;
        console.log("\n✓ Video from PowerPoint with speaker notes is ready!");
        console.log("Video URL:", jobResult.data.videoURL);
      } else if (status === "failed") {
        throw new Error("Video creation failed: " + JSON.stringify(statusResponse.data));
      }

      await new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, 5000));
    }

    return jobResult;
  } catch (error) {
    console.error("Error:", error.response?.data || error.message);
    throw error;
  }
}

createPptToVideoWithSpeakerNotes();

Understanding the Parameters

Main Request Parameters

ParameterTypeRequiredDescription
videoNamestringYesA descriptive name for your video project
urlstringYesPublic URL to the PowerPoint file
useSpeakerNotesbooleanNoSet to true to use speaker notes for narration (default: false = uses slide text)
voiceOverobjectNoVoice-over configuration

Voice-Over Configuration

ParameterTypeRequiredDescription
enabledbooleanYesSet to true to enable voice-over
aiVoicesarrayYesArray of AI voice configurations
speakerstringYesAI voice name
speednumberNoVoice speed 50-200 (default: 100)
amplificationLevelnumberNoVolume level -1 to 1 (default: 0)

Speaker Notes vs Slide Text

ConfigurationNarration SourceBest Used For
useSpeakerNotes: false (default)Visible slide textSlides with complete sentences, text-heavy presentations
useSpeakerNotes: trueSpeaker notesVisual-heavy slides, bullet points only, conversational narration
Important: If a slide has no speaker notes and useSpeakerNotes is set to true, that slide will have no voice-over narration. Ensure all slides have speaker notes before using this feature.

Common Use Cases

Training Videos with Detailed Explanations

{
  url: "https://storage.example.com/training-deck.pptx",
  useSpeakerNotes: true,
  voiceOver: {
    enabled: true,
    aiVoices: [{
      speaker: "Emma",
      speed: 95,              // Slower for training
      amplificationLevel: 0
    }]
  }
}
Result: Slides show bullet points while detailed explanations play as narration.

Visual-Heavy Presentations

{
  url: "https://storage.example.com/infographic-deck.pptx",
  useSpeakerNotes: true,
  voiceOver: {
    enabled: true,
    aiVoices: [{
      speaker: "Brian",
      speed: 100,
      amplificationLevel: 0
    }]
  }
}
Result: Clean visual slides with comprehensive narration from notes.

Webinar Content

{
  url: "https://storage.example.com/webinar-slides.pptx",
  useSpeakerNotes: true,
  voiceOver: {
    enabled: true,
    aiVoices: [{
      speaker: "Matthew",
      speed: 105,             // Slightly faster for engagement
      amplificationLevel: 0.1
    }]
  }
}
Result: Professional webinar with presenter-style narration.

Best Practices

Choose speaker notes narration when:
  • Visual Slides: Slides contain mainly images, charts, or diagrams
  • Bullet Points: Slides have brief bullet points needing elaboration
  • Conversational Tone: You want natural, flowing narration
  • Detailed Explanations: Notes contain the full explanation
  • Professional Format: Slides designed for visual impact, not reading
Use slide text narration (useSpeakerNotes: false) when:
  • Complete Sentences: Slides contain full text meant to be read
  • No Notes: Speaker notes are empty or minimal
  • Simple Content: Text on slides is self-explanatory
  • Quote-Based: Slides contain quotes or specific text to emphasize
Optimize your speaker notes for AI narration:
  • Conversational Style: Write as you would speak, not formal bullets
  • Complete Sentences: Use full sentences with proper punctuation
  • Natural Flow: Ensure smooth transitions between ideas
  • Appropriate Length: 2-4 sentences per slide (30-60 seconds narration)
  • Clear Pronunciation: Spell out acronyms and difficult terms
Good Example: “This chart shows our quarterly revenue growth. Notice how Q3 exceeded expectations by 25%, driven primarily by our new product launch. This trend is expected to continue through the end of the year.”Poor Example: “Q3 rev up 25% - new prod launch - trend continues”
Set up your presentation for speaker notes conversion:
  • Add Notes to All Slides: Every slide should have speaker notes
  • Consistent Length: Keep notes roughly similar in length for pacing
  • Test Notes: Read notes aloud to ensure they sound natural
  • Avoid Redundancy: Don’t repeat exactly what’s on the slide
  • Link Slides: Notes should transition smoothly between slides
Create effective slide-notes combinations:
  • Slides: Show key points, visuals, data
  • Notes: Provide context, explanations, details
  • Complement: Notes should expand on visuals, not duplicate them
  • Focus: Keep slides visual, notes verbal
  • Engagement: Use notes to tell the story behind the visuals

Troubleshooting

Problem: Certain slides play with no voice-over.Solution:
  • Check that those slides have speaker notes in PowerPoint
  • Speaker notes must contain actual text (not be empty)
  • View → Notes Page in PowerPoint to verify notes exist
  • Add speaker notes to all slides before conversion
  • If you want some slides silent, add a note like “[pause]” or “[music only]”
Problem: The voice-over seems different from your speaker notes.Solution:
  • Verify you set useSpeakerNotes: true in your request
  • Check that PowerPoint notes are in the Notes section, not text boxes on slides
  • Ensure notes weren’t accidentally placed in slide master or layout
  • Re-save PowerPoint file and try again
  • Use PowerPoint’s Notes Page view to verify notes are properly saved
Problem: Long speaker notes seem truncated in narration.Solution:
  • Very long notes (500+ words per slide) may be shortened
  • Break long presentations into multiple videos
  • Keep speaker notes to 30-60 seconds of narration per slide
  • Distribute content across more slides if needed
  • Aim for 50-150 words per slide’s notes
Problem: AI narration doesn’t flow smoothly.Solution:
  • Write speaker notes in a conversational, natural tone
  • Use complete sentences with proper punctuation
  • Avoid abbreviations, acronyms, or technical shorthand
  • Read notes aloud before conversion to check flow
  • Adjust voice speed (95-105) for more natural pacing
  • Try different AI voices to find the best match
Problem: Not sure how to add or view speaker notes.Solution:
  • Add Notes: In PowerPoint, click in the Notes section below each slide
  • View Notes: Go to View → Notes Page for full editor
  • Normal View: Notes appear in bottom panel in Normal view
  • Slide Sorter: Switch to Normal view to see/edit notes
  • Mac Users: View → Normal, notes panel is below slide
  • Save: Always save PowerPoint file after adding notes

Next Steps

Enhance your speaker notes videos with these features:

API Reference

For complete technical details, see: