How to Add Shapes to PowerPoint in Python

Aspose.Slides FOSS for Python supports adding AutoShapes, Tables, Connectors, and PictureFrames to presentation slides. All shape types are added through the slide.shapes collection.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Install the Package

pip install aspose-slides-foss

Verify the installation:

import aspose.slides_foss as slides
print("Ready")

Step 2: Create a Presentation

Always use Presentation as a context manager.

import aspose.slides_foss as slides
from aspose.slides_foss.export import SaveFormat

with slides.Presentation() as prs:
    slide = prs.slides[0]
    # ... add shapes ...
    prs.save("output.pptx", SaveFormat.PPTX)

Step 3: Add an AutoShape

slide.shapes.add_auto_shape(shape_type, x, y, width, height) places a shape at the given position and size (all in points). Use ShapeType constants to select the shape.

import aspose.slides_foss as slides
from aspose.slides_foss import ShapeType
from aspose.slides_foss.export import SaveFormat

with slides.Presentation() as prs:
    slide = prs.slides[0]

    # Rectangle
    rect = slide.shapes.add_auto_shape(ShapeType.RECTANGLE, 50, 50, 300, 100)
    rect.add_text_frame("Rectangle shape")

    # Ellipse
    ellipse = slide.shapes.add_auto_shape(ShapeType.ELLIPSE, 400, 50, 200, 100)
    ellipse.add_text_frame("Ellipse shape")

    prs.save("autoshapes.pptx", SaveFormat.PPTX)

Step 4: Add a Table

slide.shapes.add_table(x, y, col_widths, row_heights) creates a table at the specified position. Column widths and row heights are lists of point values.

import aspose.slides_foss as slides
from aspose.slides_foss.export import SaveFormat

with slides.Presentation() as prs:
    slide = prs.slides[0]

    col_widths = [150.0, 150.0, 150.0]
    row_heights = [40.0, 40.0, 40.0]
    table = slide.shapes.add_table(50, 200, col_widths, row_heights)

    # Set header row text
    headers = ["Product", "Units", "Revenue"]
    for col, text in enumerate(headers):
        table.rows[0][col].text_frame.text = text

    # Set data rows
    rows = [
        ["Widget A", "120", "$2,400"],
        ["Widget B", "85", "$1,700"],
    ]
    for row_idx, row_data in enumerate(rows):
        for col, text in enumerate(row_data):
            table.rows[row_idx + 1][col].text_frame.text = text

    prs.save("table.pptx", SaveFormat.PPTX)

Step 5: Add a Connector

Connectors link two shapes visually. Create the shapes first, then add a connector and set its start and end connection points.

import aspose.slides_foss as slides
from aspose.slides_foss import ShapeType
from aspose.slides_foss.export import SaveFormat

with slides.Presentation() as prs:
    slide = prs.slides[0]

    box1 = slide.shapes.add_auto_shape(ShapeType.RECTANGLE, 50, 100, 150, 60)
    box1.add_text_frame("Start")

    box2 = slide.shapes.add_auto_shape(ShapeType.RECTANGLE, 350, 100, 150, 60)
    box2.add_text_frame("End")

    conn = slide.shapes.add_connector(ShapeType.BENT_CONNECTOR3, 0, 0, 10, 10)
    conn.start_shape_connected_to = box1
    conn.start_shape_connection_site_index = 3  # right side of box1
    conn.end_shape_connected_to = box2
    conn.end_shape_connection_site_index = 1    # left side of box2

    prs.save("connector.pptx", SaveFormat.PPTX)

Connection site indices are numbered 0–3 for a rectangle: top=0, left=1, bottom=2, right=3.

Step 6: Add a Picture Frame

Embed an image and add it to the slide as a PictureFrame. Read the image bytes first, add them to the presentation’s image collection, then create the frame.

import aspose.slides_foss as slides
from aspose.slides_foss import ShapeType
from aspose.slides_foss.export import SaveFormat

with slides.Presentation() as prs:
    with open("logo.png", "rb") as f:
        image_data = f.read()

    image = prs.images.add_image(image_data)

    slide = prs.slides[0]
    slide.shapes.add_picture_frame(
        ShapeType.RECTANGLE,  # bounding shape type
        50, 50,               # x, y in points
        200, 150,             # width, height in points
        image
    )

    prs.save("with-image.pptx", SaveFormat.PPTX)

Common Issues and Fixes

Shape appears outside the visible slide area

Slides are 720 × 540 points by default. Values of x or y beyond those bounds place the shape off-slide. Keep x < 720 and y < 540, and ensure x + width <= 720 and y + height <= 540.

AttributeError: 'NoneType' object has no attribute 'text_frame'

add_auto_shape() returns the shape object directly. If you see None, check that you are not discarding the return value.

Table cell text is empty after assignment

The correct property is .text_frame.text (not .text directly on the cell). Access cells as table.rows[row_index][col_index].text_frame.text = "value".

Frequently Asked Questions

How many shapes can I add to a slide?

There is no library-imposed limit. Practical limits depend on file size and the rendering capability of your target PPTX viewer.

Can I change a shape’s position after adding it?

Yes. The shape object returned by add_auto_shape() has x, y, width, and height properties that you can set:

shape.x = 100
shape.y = 200
shape.width = 400
shape.height = 80

Can I set the shape outline (border) color?

Yes, via shape.line_format:

from aspose.slides_foss.drawing import Color
shape.line_format.fill_format.solid_fill_color.color = Color.from_argb(255, 200, 0, 0)

Are charts supported?

No. Charts, SmartArt, and OLE objects are not implemented in this edition and raise NotImplementedError.