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Import a PowerPoint

Use the Upload PowerPoint tab in the timeline wizard to turn an existing .pptx into an editable SlideVids timeline.

Audience: user

Goal

Start from an existing PowerPoint deck instead of writing an outline from scratch.

Video Walkthrough

When To Use This

Use the Upload PowerPoint flow when you already have a presentation and want SlideVids to import its structure.

Best for:

  • Existing training decks.
  • Client presentations that already have approved copy.
  • Internal decks with speaker notes you want to turn into narrated video.
  • Cases where rebuilding the outline manually would waste time.

Use the normal Write Outline path when you want SlideVids to generate the first draft of the slide structure for you.

What SlideVids Imports

From the current import flow, SlideVids can extract:

  • Slide titles
  • Bullet points
  • Speaker notes
  • Slide images

After import, you can continue editing the timeline in SlideVids like any other project.

File Requirements

Before uploading, make sure your file matches the current importer rules:

  • File type must be .pptx
  • Maximum file size is 100MB
  • Older .ppt files are not supported
  • Password-protected files are not supported

If the file does not meet those requirements, the uploader will reject it before import starts.

Step 1: Start a New Timeline

  1. Go to Timelines.
  2. Click New Timeline.
  3. Complete the Basic Info step with your timeline title and description.
  4. Click Next to reach the outline step.

Step 2: Switch to Upload PowerPoint

On the outline step, SlideVids shows two tabs:

  • Write Outline
  • Upload PowerPoint

Choose Upload PowerPoint when you want to import a deck instead of generating slides from outline text.

Step 3: Upload the .pptx File

  1. Drag and drop the file into the upload area, or click to browse.
  2. Wait for SlideVids to upload and process the deck.

What to expect:

  • The uploader validates the file extension and file size first.
  • While processing, the wizard switches into the import flow and hides the normal wizard navigation.
  • Large decks may take longer because SlideVids has to extract content and assets before preview is ready.

Step 4: Review the Import Preview

After processing, SlideVids shows an Import Preview.

What the preview shows:

  • Original filename
  • Visible slide count
  • Hidden slide count when applicable
  • A slide-by-slide list with selection checkboxes
  • Warnings for slides or the overall file

Each slide preview can indicate imported content such as:

  • bullet points
  • speaker notes
  • images

Step 5: Select the Slides You Want

From the preview, you can:

  • keep all slides selected
  • deselect slides you do not want
  • use Select All
  • use Deselect All

This is useful when the original deck contains:

  • title-only slides you do not want in the final video
  • hidden or backup slides
  • appendix content that should stay out of the imported timeline

Step 6: Confirm the Import

  1. Click Import X Slides.
  2. Wait for SlideVids to create the new timeline.

What to expect:

  • SlideVids creates a real timeline from the selected slides.
  • The wizard draft flow ends because the imported project now has its own timeline record.
  • You are redirected to the imported timeline details page.

What To Do After Import

Once the timeline is created, review the imported project before generating final media.

Recommended next steps:

  1. Check slide titles and bullet formatting.
  2. Review imported speaker notes.
  3. Replace or adjust slides that are too dense.
  4. Confirm voice and narration settings.
  5. Generate audio and then video.

Common Expectations

  1. Import gets you a faster starting point, not a guaranteed final video-ready deck.
  2. Some slides may import with warnings and still need cleanup.
  3. Hidden slides may be counted separately from visible slides.
  4. The imported timeline should be reviewed in SlideVids before export or sharing.

If Import Is Not The Right Fit

Use Write Outline instead when:

  • you only have a topic, not a finished deck
  • you want SlideVids to draft the slide structure with AI
  • your existing source material is too rough to import cleanly

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