---
title: Generate PowerPoint presentations and Word documents with Optimizely Mark
slug: agent-platform/docs/generate-powerpoint-presentations-and-word-documents-with-mark
docTags: 
createdAt: 2026-08-12T15:37:09.000Z
---

Use Agent Platform to produce presentations and documents without leaving your conversation. Mark creates fully formatted PowerPoint presentations (`.pptx`) and Word documents (`.docx`) directly in [Mark chat](docId\:dtNBEttEGVvkhNkwNypLM). Describe the file you want, and Mark returns a ready-to-download file. To match your brand, optionally provide a template or a skill with your brand information. Mark applies your colors, fonts, and design rules to every file it creates.

:::hint{type="info"}
**Note**

File generation uses the `code_execution` system tool. Your organization must have the code execution tool enabled to use this feature. See [Code execution](docId\:RS8F9FVkFX6i-JwiYEUzk).
:::

## How it works

Mark generates `.pptx` and `.docx` files from your prompt. To match your brand, optionally provide a branding source, such as a template file or a skill with your brand information. Without a branding source, Mark selects a design palette and layout based on your content and topic.

## Branding options

Apply your organization's branding in one of three ways. Choose the option that fits your workflow, or combine approaches.

| Option                                       | How it works                                                                                                                                   | Best for                                                                                             |
| -------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [Template file](docId:7LgpwAgf5h6s1DzEdzGDh) | Attach an existing `.pptx` or `.docx` file to your chat message. Mark reads the file's backgrounds, colors, fonts, shapes, and logos directly. | Teams with a branded deck or document who want Mark to match it exactly.                             |
| [Brand skill](docId:7LgpwAgf5h6s1DzEdzGDh)   | Write your brand guidelines once as an organization or personal skill. Mark applies them automatically to every request.                       | Teams that generate files often and want consistent branding without attaching a template each time. |
| None                                         | Make a request without branding. Mark selects a design palette and layout based on your content.                                               | Quick drafts where branding is not a priority.                                                       |

To get the best of both, combine a brand skill with a template. The template's visual identity takes precedence. The brand skill fills in anything the template does not define, such as chart colors or custom fonts.

### Use a template file

Attach a template when you want Mark to match an existing branded deck or document exactly. Upload the file to your chat message, then describe the content you want. When you attach a template, Mark does the following:

- Analyzes the template's layouts, backgrounds, colors, fonts, shapes, and logos.
- Selects the subset of slides or sections that match your content. Mark does not reuse every slide.
- Replaces only the text and content placeholders, leaving the visual design untouched.

![Screenshot of a Mark chat where a prompt asks Mark to use an attached PowerPoint file as a template](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/vHIH5R7UfDcJXnYJ9XaAR_use-opal-template-file0.png)

:::hint{type="info"}
**Note**

Mark accepts `.pptx` and `.docx` template files. It does not accept the older `.ppt` or `.doc` formats. Convert these to `.pptx` or `.docx` before uploading.
:::

### Create a brand skill

A brand skill is a [Mark skill](docId:1HTjxW2J-ZOkYEZMwnasU) that contains your organization's brand guidelines. Create it once, and Mark applies it to every generation request. You do not need to attach a file.

If you manage your brand in a Brand Pack, apply the published Brand Pack instead. See [Apply a Brand Pack to Word and PowerPoint files](docId\:HoHc-AhT9l0qMD7SnLvX5).

Include the items that apply to your organization:

- **Colors** – Hex codes for your primary, secondary, accent, background, and text colors.
- **Typography** – Font names, fallbacks, and sizes for titles, headings, body text, and captions. Attach custom `.otf` or `.ttf` font files directly to the skill.
- **Logo** – Logo placement rules, such as position, size, and light or dark variant. Attach logo image files directly to the skill.
- **Slide backgrounds** – The color or background image to use per slide type.
- **Charts** – Series colors, axis colors, and grid styling.
- **Rules** – Brand requirements and restrictions. For example, *Never use drop shadows on body text*.

To create the skill, complete the following steps in Mark:

1. Go to **Skills**.
2. Click **Create skill**.
3. Select **Organization Skills** (available to everyone in your organization) or **Personal Skills** (available only to you).
4. Give the skill a clear name, for example *Acme Brand Guidelines*.
5. Enter the **Shortcut** to invoke the skill, such as *acme\_branding*.
6. Keep **Keywords or phrases** selected as the **When to use** value.
7. Enter *When creating branded PowerPoint or Word files* in the **When to use** field.
8. Enter the heading `# Brand Guidelines: YOUR_BRAND_NAME` in the **Core Skill** section.
9. Add your brand guidelines using the items from the previous list. Use plain language. Mark reads and applies the content as instructions.
10. Upload any font files and logo images in the **Files** section.
11. Toggle **Active** on.
12. Click **Save** to create your skill.

![Screenshot of the Skills page where a skill is being created](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/KPv4b7rg0If6oLfkjplBQ_use-opal-create-own-skill0.png)

See [Create an organization skill](docId\:N3n_NnF8J0Ykujmp2Sg00) or [Create a personal skill](docId\:us7iZ6Rvo_03yXtLw_vdr) for detailed instructions.

## Generate a branded PowerPoint or Word file

Open [Mark chat](docId\:dtNBEttEGVvkhNkwNypLM) and describe the file you want.

### What Mark needs from you

| Input                       | Required    | Details                                                                                                         |
| --------------------------- | ----------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| File type                   | Required    | Specify `.pptx` for a presentation or `.docx` for a document.                                                   |
| Topic or content            | Required    | Describe the subject, sections, key points, or data to include.                                                 |
| Purpose or audience         | Recommended | Identify the audience and purpose. This shapes the tone, depth, and layout.                                     |
| Template file               | Optional    | Attach an existing `.pptx` or `.docx` file. Mark preserves its visual design and replaces only the content.     |
| Slide or page count         | Optional    | Set a target length.                                                                                            |
| Specific slides or sections | Optional    | List the sections you want — for example, *Include an agenda slide, three content slides, and a closing slide.* |

### Example prompts

Effective prompts name the file type, the topic, and the audience:

- *Create a 10-slide PowerPoint on our Q3 product roadmap for an executive audience. Use our brand guidelines.*
- *Generate a Word document that summarizes our onboarding process for new hires. Include an introduction, five steps, and a resources section.*
- *Build a sales deck from this template. The topic is "Why choose Acme" and it is for a prospect meeting.*
- *Make a presentation with a title slide, three feature overview slides, and a next-steps slide.*

When Mark finishes, the chat displays a card with links to your file. Select **View document** or **View presentation** to view the file in Mark. Click **Download** and select the file type to download as `.pptx`, `.docx`, or `.pdf`.

**Word file**

![Screenshot of Mark generating a Word file where the download and view options display](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/ue7j7S86WF3tPApj24lW7_use-opal-word-doc0.png)

**PowerPoint file**

![Screenshot of Mark generating a PowerPoint file where the download and view options display](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/_9DWEbwNBiSsoxmtu2k3o_use-opal-powerpoint0.png)
To make changes, describe them in chat. Mark updates or regenerates the file.

## Presentation defaults

For `.pptx` files, Mark applies the following defaults unless a template or brand skill specifies otherwise:

- **Aspect ratio** – 16:9 (widescreen).
- **Layout variety** – Title slides, two-column layouts, stat callouts, image and text combinations, and section dividers.
- **Visual elements** – Every slide includes at least one visual element — an image, chart, icon, or shape.
- **Color palette** – Comes from your template or brand skill. Without either, Mark selects a palette based on the topic.
- **Charts** – Bar, line, and pie charts using the active branding source.

## Document defaults

For `.docx` files, Mark applies the following defaults:

- **Page size** – US Letter (8.5" × 11") with one-inch margins.
- **Font** – Arial, unless a template or brand skill specifies a different font.
- **Headings** – Hierarchical heading levels (H1, H2, H3) applied consistently.
- **Lists** – Bulleted and numbered lists using document list styles.
- **Tables** – Full-width tables with consistent column widths and cell padding.

## FAQ

**Do I need a brand skill or template to generate files?**

No. Both are optional. Without either, Mark generates the file using a design it selects based on your content and topic. Providing a template or brand skill produces more on-brand output.

**Which is better, a template file or a brand skill?**

It depends on your workflow. A template file is faster to start with and matches an existing deck or document precisely. A brand skill is better for teams that generate files often, because you create it once and Mark applies it automatically. You can also combine the two.

**Can I use custom fonts?**

Yes. Attach `.otf` or `.ttf` files to your brand skill. Mark installs the fonts and embeds them in the output file. Anyone who opens the file sees the correct fonts.

**Can I ask Mark to change the file after it generates it?**

Yes. Describe the changes in chat. Mark updates or regenerates the file. Be specific, for example, *Change the title slide background to dark blue* or *Add a slide on pricing after slide 4*.

**Are there limits on file size or slide count?**

Mark does not enforce a specific limit. Very large files or complex designs take longer to generate. For best results, keep requests to 20 slides or fewer.

:::hint{type="info"}
**Note**

If you use Opti ID, administrators can turn off generative AI in the Opti ID Admin Center. See [Turn generative AI off across Optimizely applications](docId\:X5U0kKD2azV5cIdNqwGNj).
:::