Advanced Snippet Editor

Created: 2026-05-27 · Updated: 2026-05-30

The Advanced Snippet Editor lets you create PowerPoint shapes directly with C# code, test them live, and save them as snippets in the library. Scripts are executed at runtime using Roslyn (Microsoft C# Scripting).

How to Open

• Burger menu ≡ → Advanced Snippet Editor
• or: Ribbon → Content Manager → Advanced Snippet Editor

The task pane opens automatically in wide mode.

Interface

Toolbar

The toolbar is organized into button groups. Buttons with a small arrow ▾ open a dropdown with options.

Run & Save

Dropdown «💾 Save»:

Analyse & Code

Dropdown «🔍 Analyse»:

Line Numbers & Cursor Position

The narrow panel to the left of the code field automatically shows line numbers — synchronized with vertical scrolling. The current cursor position is shown on the right side of the toolbar:

Ln 12  Col 5

The display updates on every cursor movement.

Available Variables

The following variables are available directly in the script:

ppptools Methods (Overview)

→ Full reference with parameters and code examples: PPPTools Reference

Important Scripting Rules

Roslyn scripts run in a special context. The following rules must be followed to avoid compiler errors:

Use var / dynamic instead of Shape

The type Shape exists in two namespaces simultaneously (Microsoft.Office.Core and Microsoft.Office.Interop.PowerPoint) — this causes a compiler error.

// ❌ Error — ambiguous reference (when Shape types are used mixed)
Shape oRect = ppptools.AddRect(...);

// ✅ Correct
var oRect = ppptools.AddRect(...);

Use local functions instead of Action<T>

Action<> is in the System namespace, which is not automatically imported.

// ❌ Error
Action<Shape> style = sh => { sh.Fill.ForeColor.RGB = ...; };

// ✅ Correct — local void function
void ApplyStyle(dynamic sh)
{
    sh.Fill.ForeColor.RGB = ...;
}

Selection for Boolean operations

List<Shape> cannot be used directly due to the namespace conflict. Select shapes using .Select() instead:

// ✅ Correct
oShape1.Select(MsoTriState.msoTrue);   // first shape: Replace = true
oShape2.Select(MsoTriState.msoFalse);  // additional shape: Replace = false
ppptools.Union();
dynamic oResult = ppptools.GetSelected();   // retrieve result shape

Examples

Each example has its own page with a visual preview, full code, and step-by-step explanation.

Foundation examples (Boolean operations):

Full parameterized examples (all ppptools methods):

Workflow

Generate Code from a Selected Shape

The Generate Code (replace) and Generate Code (append) options read the currently selected shape in PowerPoint and produce immediately executable ppptools.* code.

Replace vs. Append:

What is generated:

Show Nodes

The Show Nodes option places colored markers directly on the slide for each key point of the selected shape.

FreeForm Shapes

For FreeForm shapes, each node is labeled with its coordinates, index, segment type (Line / Curve) and editing type (Corner / Auto).

Color coding:

Standard Shapes (Rectangle, Oval, AutoShape …)

For standard shapes, the 4 corner points (TL / TR / BR / BL) and the center point (C) are displayed:

An info label above the shape shows name, type and dimensions.

Analyse Code

The Analyse Code option statically checks the current script and shows the result in a dialog:

• Recognized @param definitions (name, type, default value)
• Compiler warnings
• Compiler errors

Useful to verify that all @param declarations are correct before running the script.

→ More about @param: Parameterized Snippets

Testing a Script

1. Enter code in the code field or load an existing snippet via 📂 Load
2. Click ▶ Run — the shape appears on the active slide
3. If errors occur: read the error panel, fix the code, run again
4. Delete test shapes manually (Delete key)

Saving as a Snippet

1. Click 💾 Save ▾ → Save as Snippet
2. The script runs — newly created shapes are detected automatically
3. A preview image is generated from the new shapes
4. Shapes are deleted after the preview is exported
5. Metadata dialog: enter Name*, Category, Tags, Description etc.
6. Click Save — the snippet appears immediately in the gallery

Uploading as a Draft to the Public Library

Finished snippets can be sent directly from the editor as a draft to the public library:

1. Click 💾 Save ▾ → Upload as Draft
2. The script runs and a preview image is generated
3. Fill in the metadata dialog (Name*, Category, Tags, Description)
4. The snippet is sent to the library server as a Draft
5. An admin reviews and publishes the snippet

→ Publish Flow

Microsoft Documentation