Presentation Workflow: Markdown to Google Slides (Part 2)
I’m continuing a two-part series where I share simple iOS automated workflows for transforming markdown into Google Slides.
Overview
As described in the previous post, 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 in Workflow (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 Workflow, 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 Workflow see this post.
STEP 3
Locate and run the newly installed GSlides Workflow from the “My Workflows” section of the Workflow app … or from the iOS Today Widget.
- Double tap the icon to execute the workflow.
STEP 4
Enter markdown content when prompted by the running workflow.
- Be sure to follow the makeSlides Markdown Rules detailed above
- Tap the OK button to continue
NOTE: Tapping the Cancel button will abort the workflow.
STEP 5
Enter the presentation title.
- Enter a new 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 6
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 7
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 8
Use the Google Slides app or the Google Slides web interface to edit, format, share & present the slides.
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