Presentation Workflow: Markdown to Google Slides (Part 1)
In the last post I describe how I create Google Slides with one of my favorite iOS mind mapping apps.
In this post, I share a workflow I use to automate presentation creation with markdown using iOS automation.
For an introduction to markdown see Simplified Writing — A Markdown Tutorial.
Overview
The core of my markdown-to-presentation workflow is the makeSlides app which can be installed from the App Store.
makeSlides will convert Markdown, OPML and Plain Text files into Microsoft PowerPoint format files. Once converted, the PowerPoint can be previewed, emailed, printed or sent to another app…
Watch this video for a makeSlides overview.
I create slides with markdown … so I just need to follow a few simple makeSlides markdown rules when developing presentation content.
makeSlides Markdown Rules
* Level 1 text becomes a Title Slide
* Level 2 text becomes the title of a Content Slide
* Level 3 — Level 6 text & bullet points become bullet points in a Content Slide
* All other text will be added to the slide notes
* Images will be added in appendix slides (where possible)
—
See the makeSlides web site for additional information.
Here’s a markdown example for creating a simple three-slide presentation.
# Markdown to Google Slides## Method 1* Drafts
* makeSlides
* Google Slides## Method 2* Workflow
* makeSlides
* Google Slides
Once the presentation text has been created with Drafts (see below), the makeSlides app is called and automatically creates a PowerPoint (.pptx) presentation with the passed markdown.
From there it’s easy to export the PowerPoint presentation from makeSlides and convert it using the Google Slides app.
Interested in using this workflow? Follow this step-by-step guide.
STEP 1
Ensure the Drafts, makeSlides and Google Slides apps are installed on your iOS device. You may also want Google Drive.
Here are the app install links.
For more on Drafts see this post.
STEP 2
Install my GSlides Drafts Action from the Drafts Action Directory.
STEP 3
Create presentation markdown in the Drafts app.
- Be sure to follow the makeSlides Markdown Rules detailed above.
- For more on editing in Drafts, see the Basics of Navigating Drafts.
STEP 4
Run the installed GSlides Drafts Action on the completed markdown.
The action will …
- Prompt for the Presentation Title. Enter the desired title or leave the default.
- Tap the OK button. This will open the makeSlides app and automatically create a PowerPoint (.pptx) presentation.
NOTE: Tapping the Cancel button will abort the workflow.
STEP 5
Use the makeSlides sharing capability to export the PowerPoint (.pptx) presentation into the Google Slides app.
- Tap the Share button (lower left corner)
- Tap the Import with Slides button
NOTE: You may need to scroll through the available app list to find Import with Slides.
STEP 6
In the Google Slides app:
- Locate and open the newly created PowerPoint(.pptx) presentation
Then…
- Tap the dots icon in the top right
- Tap the question mark icon next to Office Compatibility Mode.
- Tap the Save as Google Slides button to convert the PowerPoint presentation to the Google Slides format.
STEP 7
Use the Google Slides app or the Google Slides web interface to edit, format, share & present the slides.
In an upcoming post I’ll share another way I automate presentation creation with markdown using the Workflow app.
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