WIN32 automation of PowerPoint

randomcircles.py

"""Requires pypiwin32 - see installation instructions at https://github.com/mhammond/pywin32
"""
import random
import win32com.client

# for other shape types, see MsoAutoShapeTypeEnumeration:
# https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/vba/office-shared-vba/articles/msoautoshapetype-enumeration-office
SHAPE_OVAL = 9

# for other layout options, see PpSlideLayout Enumeration:
# https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/vba/powerpoint-vba/articles/ppslidelayout-enumeration-powerpoint
LAYOUT_BLANK = 12

def random_circle(slide):
    """Add a random circle to a slide."""
    size = random.randrange(20, 160, 20) # random size between 20-160
    # random position, keep circle at least 10 points from edge of slide ...
    x_pos = random.randint(10, slide.parent.PageSetup.SlideWidth - size - 10)
    y_pos = random.randint(10, slide.parent.PageSetup.SlideHeight - size - 10)
    shape = slide.Shapes.AddShape(SHAPE_OVAL, x_pos, y_pos, size, size)
    shape.Fill.ForeColor.RGB = random.randint(0, 2**32 - 1) # random color
    shape.Line.Visible = 0 # no border

def main():
    """Launch PowerPoint, creat presentation, slide, and shapes."""
    powerpoint = win32com.client.Dispatch('PowerPoint.Application')
    presentation = powerpoint.Presentations.Add() # create presentation
    slide = presentation.Slides.Add(1, LAYOUT_BLANK) # add a blank slide
    for _ in range(100):
        random_circle(slide) # add 100 random circles

if __name__ == '__main__':
    main()

Here's a tweet with an animated GIF that shows the output of this code: https://twitter.com/dmahugh/status/962911161548095488