PPPTools Reference (AdvancedScriptHelper)

Created: 2026-05-29 · Updated: 2026-05-31

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ppptools is the only script variable that provides access to PowerPoint. All methods are called on the instance — no new, no direct COM access required.

Slide

SlideWidth / SlideHeight

float w = ppptools.SlideWidth;   // e.g. 720f (points)
float h = ppptools.SlideHeight;  // e.g. 540f (points)

Width and height of the active slide in points (1 point = 1/72 inch). For centering:

float left = (ppptools.SlideWidth  - shapeWidth)  / 2f;
float top  = (ppptools.SlideHeight - shapeHeight) / 2f;

Creating shapes

AddShape(type, x, y, w, h)

dynamic oShape = ppptools.AddShape(MsoAutoShapeType.msoShape8pointStar, 100f, 80f, 200f, 200f);

Adds an AutoShape to the active slide. All available types with examples: → AutoShape Types (MsoAutoShapeType)

Full Microsoft reference: MsoAutoShapeType on learn.microsoft.com

AddRect(x, y, w, h)

dynamic oRect = ppptools.AddRect(50f, 50f, 200f, 150f);

Shorthand for AddShape(msoShapeRectangle, ...).

AddOval(x, y, w, h)

dynamic oCircle = ppptools.AddOval(100f, 100f, 80f, 80f);  // 80×80 circle

Shorthand for AddShape(msoShapeOval, ...). For an exact circle: w == h.

BuildFreeform(editingType, x, y)

var ffb = ppptools.BuildFreeform(MsoEditingType.msoEditingCorner, 100f, 50f);
ffb.AddNodes(MsoSegmentType.msoSegmentLine, MsoEditingType.msoEditingCorner, 200f, 50f);
ffb.AddNodes(MsoSegmentType.msoSegmentLine, MsoEditingType.msoEditingCorner, 150f, 150f);
var oTriangle = ffb.ConvertToShape();

Starts a freeform builder. Returns a FreeformBuilder object with .AddNodes(...) and .ConvertToShape() methods.

AddPolygon(xs, ys)

dynamic oShape = ppptools.AddPolygon(
    new float[] { 100f, 200f, 150f },   // X coordinates
    new float[] {  50f,  50f, 150f });  // Y coordinates

Creates a closed polygon from two parallel coordinate arrays — all segments are straight lines (corner nodes only). The shape is automatically closed by connecting the last point back to the first.

Equivalent to BuildFreeform + AddNodes + ConvertToShape with msoSegmentLine segments, plus an automatic closing node. Use BuildFreeform directly for shapes with curves.

AddPolyline(xs, ys)

dynamic oLine = ppptools.AddPolyline(
    new float[] { 50f, 200f, 350f },   // X coordinates
    new float[] { 100f, 200f, 100f });  // Y coordinates

Creates an open path — like AddPolygon but without the closing segment. Useful for lines, arrows, or open outlines.

AddTextBox(x, y, w, h)

dynamic oBox = ppptools.AddTextBox(100f, 80f, 300f, 50f);
ppptools.SetText(oBox, "Label", fontSize: 14f);

Adds a horizontal text box with no fill and no border. Unlike AddRect, a text box has no background by default.

AddLine(x1, y1, x2, y2)

// Horizontal divider line
dynamic oLine = ppptools.AddLine(50f, 200f, 670f, 200f);
ppptools.SetLine(oLine, Color.FromArgb(180, 180, 180), 1f);

// Diagonal line
dynamic oDiag = ppptools.AddLine(100f, 100f, 400f, 300f);

Adds a straight line between two points. For multi-segment lines → AddPolyline.

AddConnector(x1, y1, x2, y2, type)

// Simple curved connector (default)
dynamic oConn = ppptools.AddConnector(150f, 100f, 400f, 250f);

// Elbow connector (type 3)
dynamic oElbow = ppptools.AddConnector(150f, 100f, 400f, 250f, type: 3);

Adds a connector arrow. Unlike AddLine, a connector can be attached to shape connection points.

Selection

GetSelected(index = 1)

ppptools.Union();
dynamic oResult = ppptools.GetSelected();    // first shape in selection
dynamic oSecond = ppptools.GetSelected(2);   // second shape (rarely needed)

Returns the shape at position index (1-based) in the current selection. Typically used after Boolean operations to retrieve the result shape.

GetSelectedRange()

foreach (dynamic sh in ppptools.GetSelectedRange())
{
    sh.Name = "MyShape";
}

Returns the full ShapeRange object of the current selection.

Boolean operations

All four operations work on the current selection. Select shapes first:

oA.Select(MsoTriState.msoTrue);   // first shape (Replace = true → start new selection)
oB.Select(MsoTriState.msoFalse);  // next shape (Replace = false → add to selection)
ppptools.Union();
dynamic oResult = ppptools.GetSelected();

The original shapes no longer exist after the operation — only the result remains.

Union()

Merges all selected shapes into one. The outer area of all shapes forms the new shape.

oStar.Select(MsoTriState.msoTrue);
oCircle.Select(MsoTriState.msoFalse);
ppptools.Union();
dynamic oUnion = ppptools.GetSelected();

Intersect()

Keeps only the area present in all selected shapes.

oLargeShape.Select(MsoTriState.msoTrue);
oClip.Select(MsoTriState.msoFalse);
ppptools.Intersect();
dynamic oClipped = ppptools.GetSelected();

Combine()

Combines shapes into one path — overlapping areas are punched out (hole).

oOuter.Select(MsoTriState.msoTrue);
oHole.Select(MsoTriState.msoFalse);
ppptools.Combine();

Subtract()

Subtracts the second shape from the first. The overlapping area is removed from the first shape.

oBase.Select(MsoTriState.msoTrue);
oCut.Select(MsoTriState.msoFalse);
ppptools.Subtract();
dynamic oResult = ppptools.GetSelected();

Grouping

GroupSelected()

oA.Select(MsoTriState.msoTrue);
oB.Select(MsoTriState.msoFalse);
dynamic oGroup = ppptools.GroupSelected();

Groups the current selection. Returns the group.

Group(shape1, shape2, ...)

dynamic oGroup = ppptools.Group(oBody, oHead, oText);
oGroup.Name = "Persona";

Selects all given shapes and groups them in a single call. Shorthand for manual Select + GroupSelected(). Returns the group.

Duplicate

Duplicate(shape)

dynamic oCopy = ppptools.Duplicate(oOriginal);
oCopy.Left = (float)oOriginal.Left + 50f;

Duplicates a shape and returns the new shape directly (not the duplicate range like PowerPoint's .Duplicate()). The copy appears slightly offset (PowerPoint default).

Z-Order

ppptools.SendBackward(oShape);   // one layer back
ppptools.BringForward(oShape);   // one layer forward
ppptools.SendToBack(oShape);     // all the way back
ppptools.BringToFront(oShape);   // all the way forward

Example — push shadow behind main shape:

var oShadow = ppptools.Duplicate(oMain);
// ... format shadow ...
ppptools.SendBackward(oShadow);

Flip

ppptools.FlipH(oShape);  // flip horizontally
ppptools.FlipV(oShape);  // flip vertically

Position & Size

CenterOnSlide(shape)

ppptools.CenterOnSlide(oGroup);

Centers a shape horizontally and vertically on the slide. Equivalent to:

oShape.Left = (ppptools.SlideWidth  - (float)oShape.Width)  / 2f;
oShape.Top  = (ppptools.SlideHeight - (float)oShape.Height) / 2f;

Scale(shape, factor)

ppptools.Scale(oGroup, 1.5f);   // enlarge to 150 %
ppptools.Scale(oGroup, 0.5f);   // shrink to 50 %

Scales width and height proportionally by the given factor.

Styling

SetFill(shape, color, transparency = 0f)

ppptools.SetFill(oShape, Color.FromArgb(68, 114, 196));           // opaque
ppptools.SetFill(oShape, Color.FromArgb(68, 114, 196), 0.3f);    // 30 % transparent

SetGradient(shape, color1, color2, angle, pos1, pos2)

// Default: vertical gradient (90°), dark → light
ppptools.SetGradient(oShadow,
    Color.FromArgb(38,  38,  38),    // color1 — start color
    Color.FromArgb(241, 241, 241));  // color2 — end color

// Custom angle
ppptools.SetGradient(oShape,
    Color.FromArgb(70, 130, 180),
    Color.FromArgb(135, 206, 235),
    angle: 45f, pos1: 0.1f, pos2: 0.9f);

SetLine(shape, color, weight, visible)

ppptools.SetLine(oShape, Color.FromArgb(90, 60, 180));           // default weight 1.5pt
ppptools.SetLine(oShape, Color.FromArgb(90, 60, 180), 2.5f);    // weight 2.5pt
ppptools.SetLine(oShape, Color.Black, visible: false);            // hide line

HideLine(shape)

ppptools.HideLine(oShape);

Hides the outline (border) of a shape. Shorthand for SetLine(..., visible: false).

SetText(shape, text, fontName, fontSize, color, bold, align)

// Short form — text only
ppptools.SetText(oShape, "Hello World");

// With formatting
ppptools.SetText(oShape, "Title",
    fontName: "Calibri",
    fontSize: 16f,
    color: Color.FromArgb(38, 38, 38),
    bold: true,
    align: PowerPoint.PpParagraphAlignment.ppAlignCenter);

Also sets: VerticalAnchor = msoAnchorMiddle, AutoSize = msoAutoSizeTextToFitShape.

Animations

AddAnimation(shape, effectId, triggerType = 1)

// Appear on click (default)
var anim = ppptools.AddAnimation(oShape, 1);

// Fade — triggered after previous animation ends
var anim = ppptools.AddAnimation(oShape, 2, 3);

// Fly — with custom timing
var anim = ppptools.AddAnimation(oShape, 3, 1);
anim.Timing.Duration = 0.5f;
anim.Timing.Delay    = 0.2f;

Adds an entrance animation effect to a shape. Returns the Effect object for further timing configuration.

Effect IDs (effectId):

Trigger types (triggerType):

Timing properties on the returned Effect:

var anim = ppptools.AddAnimation(oShape, 2, 1);
anim.Timing.Duration = 1.0f;  // effect length in seconds
anim.Timing.Delay    = 0.5f;  // delay before start (seconds)

Examples

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