Shapes are the fundamental building blocks that bring your PowerPoint slides to life. From simple geometric forms to complex icons and illustrations, these versatile visual elements enable you to add interest, highlight key information, and craft visually striking layouts. Whether you are creating professional-looking slides from scratch or enhancing existing ones, knowing how to insert and manipulate shapes is an essential skill. In this guide, we'll cover how to insert, rotate, resize, reposition, and reorder shapes in PowerPoint presentations in Python using Spire.Presentation for Python.

• Insert Shapes in PowerPoint in Python
• Rotate Shapes in PowerPoint in Python
• Resize and Reposition Shapes in PowerPoint in Python
• Reorder Shapes in PowerPoint in Python

Install Spire.Presentation for Python

This scenario requires Spire.Presentation for Python and plum-dispatch v1.7.4. They can be easily installed in your Windows through the following pip command.

pip install Spire.Presentation

If you are unsure how to install, please refer to this tutorial: How to Install Spire.Presentation for Python on Windows

Insert Shapes in PowerPoint in Python

Spire.Presentation for Python enables you to add various types of shapes such as rectangles, circles, triangles, arrows, and eclipses to a PowerPoint slide by using the ISlide.Shapes.AppendShape() method.

Here are the steps to insert shapes in PowerPoint using Spire.Presentation for Python:

• Create an object of the Presentation class.
• Load a PowerPoint presentation using Presentation.LoadFromFile() method.
• Get a specific slide in the presentation using Presentation.Slides[index] property.
• Add various types of shapes to the slide using ISlide.Shapes.AppendShape() method and then set styles for the shapes.
• Save the resulting presentation using Presentation.SaveToFile() method.

from spire.presentation import *

# Create an object of the Presentation class
ppt = Presentation()

# Get the first slide
slide = ppt.Slides[0]

# Add a triangle shape to the slide
shape = slide.Shapes.AppendShape(ShapeType.Triangle, RectangleF.FromLTRB (115, 130, 215, 230))
shape.Fill.FillType = FillFormatType.Solid
shape.Fill.SolidColor.Color = Color.get_LightGreen()
shape.ShapeStyle.LineColor.Color = Color.get_White()

# Add an ellipse shape to the slide
shape = slide.Shapes.AppendShape(ShapeType.Ellipse, RectangleF.FromLTRB (290, 130, 440, 230))
shape.Fill.FillType = FillFormatType.Solid
shape.Fill.SolidColor.Color = Color.get_LightSkyBlue()
shape.ShapeStyle.LineColor.Color = Color.get_White()

# Add a heart shape to the slide
shape = slide.Shapes.AppendShape(ShapeType.Heart, RectangleF.FromLTRB (470, 130, 600, 230))
shape.Fill.FillType = FillFormatType.Solid
shape.Fill.SolidColor.Color = Color.get_Red()
shape.ShapeStyle.LineColor.Color = Color.get_LightGray()

# Add a five-pointed star shape to the slide
shape = slide.Shapes.AppendShape(ShapeType.FivePointedStar, RectangleF.FromLTRB (90, 270, 240, 420))
shape.Fill.FillType = FillFormatType.Gradient
shape.Fill.SolidColor.Color = Color.get_Black()
shape.ShapeStyle.LineColor.Color = Color.get_White()

# Add a rectangle shape to the slide
shape = slide.Shapes.AppendShape(ShapeType.Rectangle, RectangleF.FromLTRB (320, 290, 420, 410))
shape.Fill.FillType = FillFormatType.Solid
shape.Fill.SolidColor.Color = Color.get_Pink()
shape.ShapeStyle.LineColor.Color = Color.get_LightGray()

# Add an arrow shape to the slide
shape = slide.Shapes.AppendShape(ShapeType.BentUpArrow, RectangleF.FromLTRB (470, 300, 580, 400))
shape.Fill.FillType = FillFormatType.Gradient
shape.Fill.Gradient.GradientStops.AppendByKnownColors(1, KnownColors.Olive)
shape.Fill.Gradient.GradientStops.AppendByKnownColors(0, KnownColors.PowderBlue)
shape.ShapeStyle.LineColor.Color = Color.get_Red()

# Save the resulting presentation to a new file
ppt.SaveToFile("InsertShapes.pptx", FileFormat.Pptx2010)
ppt.Dispose()

Rotate Shapes in PowerPoint in Python

The IShape.Rotation property in Spire.Presentation for Python is used to rotate a shape on a PowerPoint slide. Setting this property to a positive value will rotate the shape clockwise, while setting it to a negative value will rotate the shape counterclockwise.

Here are the steps to rotate a shape in PowerPoint using Spire.Presentation for Python:

• Create an object of the Presentation class.
• Load a PowerPoint presentation using Presentation.LoadFromFile() method.
• Get a specific slide in the presentation using Presentation.Slides[index] property.
• Get a specific shape on the slide using ISlide.Shapes[index] property.
• Rotate the shape by specific degrees using IShape.Rotation property.
• Save the resulting presentation using Presentation.SaveToFile() method.

from spire.presentation import *

# Create an object of the Presentation class
ppt = Presentation()
# Load a PowerPoint presentation
ppt.LoadFromFile("ShapeTemplate1.pptx")

# Get the first slide
slide = ppt.Slides[0]

# Get the first shape on the slide
shape = slide.Shapes[0] if isinstance(slide.Shapes[0], IAutoShape) else None

# Rotate the shape 180 degrees clockwise
shape.Rotation = 180

# Save the resulting presentation to a new file
ppt.SaveToFile("RotateShape.pptx", FileFormat.Pptx2016)
ppt.Dispose()

Resize and Reposition Shapes in PowerPoint in Python

The size and position of a shape can be reset through the IShape.Height, IShape.Width and IShape.Left, IShape.Top properties.

Here are the steps to reset the size and position of shapes in PowerPoint using Spire.Presentation for Python:

• Create an object of the Presentation class.
• Load a PowerPoint presentation using Presentation.LoadFromFile() method.
• Get the original slide height and width using Presentation.SlideSize.Size.Height and Presentation.SlideSize.Size.Width properties.
• Change the slide size using Presentation.SlideSize.Type property, and then get the new slide height and width.
• Calculate the ratio for resetting the size and position of the shapes based on the original and new slide heights and widths.
• Iterate through the slides in the presentation and the shapes on each slide.
• Reset the size and position of each shape based on the specified ratio using IShape.Height, IShape.Width, IShape.Left and IShape.Top properties.
• Save the resulting presentation using Presentation.SaveToFile() method.

from spire.presentation import *

# Create an object of the Presentation class
ppt = Presentation()
# Load a PowerPoint presentation
ppt.LoadFromFile("ShapeTemplate.pptx")

# Get the original slide height and width
currentHeight = ppt.SlideSize.Size.Height
currentWidth = ppt.SlideSize.Size.Width

# Change the slide size to A3
ppt.SlideSize.Type = SlideSizeType.A3

# Get the new slide height and width
newHeight = ppt.SlideSize.Size.Height
newWidth = ppt.SlideSize.Size.Width

# Calculate the ratio for resizing shapes based on the original and new slide heights and widths
ratioHeight = newHeight / currentHeight
ratioWidth = newWidth / currentWidth

# Iterate through the slides in the presentation
for slide in ppt.Slides:
    # Iterate through the shapes on the slide
    for shape in slide.Shapes:
        if isinstance(shape, IAutoShape):
            # Reset the size of the shape based on the specified ratio
            shape.Height = shape.Height * ratioHeight
            shape.Width = shape.Width * ratioWidth
            # Reset the position (x and y coordinates) of the shape based on the specified ratio
            shape.Top = shape.Top * ratioHeight
            shape.Left = shape.Left * ratioWidth
                
# Save the resulting presentation to a new file
ppt.SaveToFile("ResizeAndRepositionShapes.pptx", FileFormat.Pptx2016)
ppt.Dispose()

Reorder Shapes in PowerPoint in Python

The order in which shapes are arranged determines which shapes appear in front of or behind others. Using the ISlide.Shapes.ZOrder() method, you can easily change the order of multiple overlapping shapes on a PowerPoint slide.

Here are the steps to change the order of shapes in PowerPoint using Spire.Presentation for Python:

• Create an object of the Presentation class.
• Load a PowerPoint presentation using Presentation.LoadFromFile() method.
• Get a specific slide in the presentation using Presentation.Slides[index] property.
• Get a specific shape on the slide using ISlide.Shapes[index] property.
• Change the stacking order of the shape using ISlide.Shapes.ZOrder() method.
• Save the resulting presentation using Presentation.SaveToFile() method.

from spire.presentation import *

# Create an object of the Presentation class
ppt = Presentation()
# Load a PowerPoint presentation
ppt.LoadFromFile("ShapeTemplate3.pptx")

# Get the first slide
slide = ppt.Slides[0]

# Get the first shape on the slide
shape = slide.Shapes[0] if isinstance(slide.Shapes[0], IAutoShape) else None

# Change the stacking order of the shape
slide.Shapes.ZOrder(1, shape)

# Save the resulting presentation to a new file
ppt.SaveToFile("ReorderShapes.pptx", FileFormat.Pptx2016)
ppt.Dispose()

Apply for a Temporary License

If you'd like to remove the evaluation message from the generated documents, or to get rid of the function limitations, please request a 30-day trial license for yourself.

When preparing multiple PowerPoint presentations with similar themes, copying slides helps to maintain consistency in terms of design, layout and content. This ensures that all presentations have a uniform appearance, which can enhance the aesthetics of your document. In this article, you will learn how to copy or clone slides in PowerPoint presentations in Python using Spire.Presentation for Python.

• Copy Slides Within the Same Presentation with Python
• Copy Slides to Another Presentation with Python

Install Spire.Presentation for Python

This scenario requires Spire.Presentation for Python and plum-dispatch v1.7.4. They can be easily installed in your Windows through the following pip command.

pip install Spire.Presentation

If you are unsure how to install, please refer to this tutorial: How to Install Spire.Presentation for Python on Windows

Copy Slides Within the Same Presentation with Python

You can clone a slide either at a specified location or at the end of a PowerPoint presentation through the Presentation.Slides.Insert(Index: int, slide: ISlide) or Presentation.Slides.AppendBySlide(slide: ISlide) methods. The following are the detailed steps.

• Create a Presentation instance.
• Load a PowerPoint presentation using Presentation.LoadFromFile() method.
• Get a specified slide using Prenstion.Slides[] property.
• Clone the slide to the end of the same presentation using Presentation.Slides.AppendBySlide() method.
• Clone the slide to a specific position within the same presentation using Presentation.Slides.Insert() method.
• Save the result file using Presentation.SaveToFile() method.

from spire.presentation.common import *
from spire.presentation import *

inputFile ="Input1.pptx"
outputFile ="CloneSlidesWithinTheSame.pptx"

# Create a Presentation instance
ppt = Presentation()

#Load a PowerPoint presentation
ppt.LoadFromFile(inputFile)

# Get the first slide in the presentation
slide = ppt.Slides[0]

# Clone the slide to the end of the presentation
ppt.Slides.AppendBySlide(slide)

# Clone the slide to the third position within the presentation
ppt.Slides.Insert(2, slide)

# Save the result file 
ppt.SaveToFile(outputFile, FileFormat.Pptx2016)
ppt.Dispose()

Copy Slides to Another Presentation with Python

Spire.Presentation for Python also allows you to load two PowerPoint files and then clone the slides from one presentation to another presentation. The following are the detailed steps.

• Create a Presentation instance.
• Load two PowerPoint presentations using Presentation.LoadFromFile() method.
• Get two slides in the first presentation using Prenstion.Slides[] property.
• Clone the first slide to a specific position in the second presentation using Presentation.Slides.Insert() method.
• Clone the second slide to the end of the second presentation using Presentation.Slides.AppendBySlide() method.
• Save the result file using Presentation.SaveToFile() method.

from spire.presentation.common import *
from spire.presentation import *

inputFile_1 = "Input1.pptx"
inputFile_2 = "Input2.pptx"
outputFile ="CloneSlidesToAnother.pptx"

# Load the first PowerPoint presentation
sourcePPT = Presentation()
sourcePPT.LoadFromFile(inputFile_1)

# Load the second PowerPoint presentation
destPPT = Presentation()
destPPT.LoadFromFile(inputFile_2)

# Get two slides in the first presentation
slide1 =sourcePPT.Slides[1]
slide2 =sourcePPT.Slides[2]

# Clone slide1 to the second position in the second presentation
destPPT.Slides.Insert(1, slide1)

# Clone slide2 to the end of the second presentation
destPPT.Slides.AppendBySlide(slide2)

# Save the second presentation
destPPT.SaveToFile(outputFile, FileFormat.Pptx2016)
destPPT.Dispose()

Apply for a Temporary License

If you'd like to remove the evaluation message from the generated documents, or to get rid of the function limitations, please request a 30-day trial license for yourself.

Charts and shapes in Excel are vital tools for clear and effective data presentation. Sometimes, it's beneficial to convert these visual elements into images. Perhaps you need to include a specific chart in a report or presentation outside of Excel. Or maybe you want to use an Excel-created infographic on your company's website. Regardless of the use case, knowing how to export these visuals as standalone image files can be invaluable. In this guide, we will explore how to convert charts and shapes in Excel to images in Python using Spire.XLS for Python.

• Convert a Specific Chart in an Excel Worksheet to Image in Python
• Convert All Charts in an Excel Worksheet to Images in Python
• Convert a Chart Sheet in Excel to Image in Python
• Convert Shapes in Excel to Images in Python

Install Spire.XLS for Python

This scenario requires Spire.XLS for Python and plum-dispatch v1.7.4. They can be easily installed in your Windows through the following pip command.

pip install Spire.XLS

If you are unsure how to install, please refer to this tutorial: How to Install Spire.XLS for Python on Windows

Convert a Specific Chart in an Excel Worksheet to Image in Python

Spire.XLS for Python offers the Workbook.SaveChartAsImage(worksheet: Worksheet, chartIndex: int) method, allowing you to convert a specific chart within a worksheet into an image stream. This image stream can then be saved as an image file in various formats, including PNG, JPG, BMP, and more. The detailed steps are as follows.

• Create an object of the Workbook class.
• Load an Excel file using the Workbook.LoadFromFile() method.
• Get a specific worksheet in the file using the Workbook.Worksheets[] property.
• Save a specific chart in the worksheet to an image stream using the Workbook.SaveChartAsImage(worksheet: Worksheet, chartIndex: int) method.
• Save the image stream to an image file using the Stream.Save() method.

from spire.xls import *
from spire.xls.common import *

# Create a Workbook object
workbook = Workbook()
# Load an Excel file
workbook.LoadFromFile("Charts.xlsx")

# Get the first worksheet
sheet = workbook.Worksheets[0]

# Save the first chart in the worksheet to an image stream
image_stream = workbook.SaveChartAsImage(sheet, 0)

# Save the image stream to a PNG image file
image_stream.Save("Output/chart.png")

workbook.Dispose()

Convert All Charts in an Excel Worksheet to Images in Python

To convert all charts in an Excel worksheet to images, you can use the Workbook.SaveChartAsImage(worksheet: Worksheet) method. The detailed steps are as follows.

• Create an object of the Workbook class.
• Load an Excel file using the Workbook.LoadFromFile() method.
• Get a specific worksheet in the file using the Workbook.Worksheets[] property.
• Save all charts in the worksheet to a list of image streams using the Workbook.SaveChartAsImage(worksheet: Worksheet) method.
• Iterate through the image streams in the list and save them to separate image files.

from spire.xls import *
from spire.xls.common import *

# Create a Workbook object
workbook = Workbook()
# Load an Excel file
workbook.LoadFromFile("Charts.xlsx")

# Get the first worksheet
sheet = workbook.Worksheets[0]

image_streams = []
# Save the charts in the worksheet to a list of image streams
image_streams = workbook.SaveChartAsImage(sheet)

# Save the image streams to PNG image files
for i, image_stream in enumerate(image_streams):
    image_stream.Save(f"Output/chart-{i}.png")

workbook.Dispose()

Convert a Chart Sheet in Excel to Image in Python

In Microsoft Excel, a chart sheet is a special type of sheet that is dedicated to displaying a single chart or graph. You can convert a chart sheet in an Excel workbook to an image using the Workbook.SaveChartAsImage(chartSheet: ChartSheet) method. The detailed steps are as follows.

• Create an object of the Workbook class.
• Load an Excel file using the Workbook.LoadFromFile() method.
• Get a specific chart sheet in the file using the Workbook.Chartsheets[] property.
• Save the chart sheet to an image stream using the Workbook.SaveChartAsImage(chartSheet: ChartSheet) method.
• Save the image stream to an image file.

from spire.xls import *
from spire.xls.common import *

# Create a Workbook object
workbook = Workbook()
# Load an Excel file
workbook.LoadFromFile("ChartSheet.xlsx")

# Get the first chart sheet
chart_sheet = workbook.Chartsheets[0]

# Save the chart sheet to an image stream
image_stream = workbook.SaveChartAsImage(chart_sheet)

# Save the image stream to a PNG image file
image_stream.Save("Output/chartSheet.png")

workbook.Dispose()

Convert Shapes in Excel to Images in Python

In addition to converting charts or chart sheets to images, you can also convert shapes in an Excel worksheet to images by using the XlsShape.SaveToImage() method. The detailed steps are as follows.

• Create an object of the Workbook class.
• Load an Excel file using the Workbook.LoadFromFile() method.
• Get a specific worksheet in the file using the Workbook.Worksheets[] property.
• Iterate through all the shapes in the worksheet.
• Typecast the shape to an XlsShape object.
• Save the shape to an image stream using the XlsShape.SaveToImage() method.
• Save the image stream to an image file.

from spire.xls import *
from spire.xls.common import *

# Create a Workbook object
workbook = Workbook()
# Load an Excel file
workbook.LoadFromFile("Shapes.xlsx")

# Get the first worksheet
sheet = workbook.Worksheets[0]

# Iterate through all the shapes in the worksheet
for i, shape in enumerate(sheet.PrstGeomShapes):
    xls_shape = XlsShape(shape)
    # Save the shape to an image stream
    image_stream = shape.SaveToImage()
    # Save the image stream to a PNG image file
    image_stream.Save(f"Output/shape_{i}.png")

workbook.Dispose()

Apply for a Temporary License

If you'd like to remove the evaluation message from the generated documents, or to get rid of the function limitations, please request a 30-day trial license for yourself.