Aspose.Slides FOSS
C++
Developer Guide
Features and Capabilities

Features and Capabilities

Features and Capabilities

Aspose.Slides FOSS for C++ provides a broad set of capabilities for working with PowerPoint .pptx files programmatically. This page lists all supported feature areas with representative code examples.

Presentation I/O

Open an existing .pptx file or create a new one, then save back to PPTX format.

#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/presentation.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/export/save_format.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/slide.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/slide_collection.h>

#include <iostream>

using namespace Aspose::Slides::Foss;

int main() {
    // Open an existing presentation
    {
        Presentation pres("input.pptx");
        std::cout << "Slide count: " << pres.slides().size() << std::endl;
        pres.save("output.pptx", SaveFormat::PPTX);
    }

    // Create a new presentation (starts with one blank slide)
    {
        Presentation pres;
        pres.save("new.pptx", SaveFormat::PPTX);
    }

    return 0;
}

Note: PPTX is the only supported save format. Export to PDF, HTML, SVG, or images is not available.

Unknown XML parts in the source file are preserved verbatim on save, so opening and re-saving a .pptx will never strip content the library does not yet understand.

Slides Management

Add, remove, clone, and reorder slides.

#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/presentation.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/export/save_format.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/layout_slide.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/slide.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/slide_collection.h>

#include <iostream>

using namespace Aspose::Slides::Foss;

int main() {
    Presentation pres;

    // Access the first slide
    auto& slide = pres.slides()[0];

    // Add an additional blank slide at the end
    auto* layout = dynamic_cast<ILayoutSlide*>(&pres.layout_slides()[0]);
    pres.slides().add_empty_slide(layout);

    std::cout << "Total slides: " << pres.slides().size() << std::endl;
    pres.save("multi-slide.pptx", SaveFormat::PPTX);
    return 0;
}

Shapes

Add AutoShapes, PictureFrames, Tables, and Connectors to a slide.

AutoShapes 

#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/auto_shape.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/export/save_format.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/presentation.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/shape_collection.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/shape_type.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/slide.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/slide_collection.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/text_frame.h>

using namespace Aspose::Slides::Foss;

int main() {
    Presentation pres;
    auto& slide = pres.slides()[0];
    // Add a rectangle at (x=50, y=50) with width=300, height=100
    auto& shape = slide.shapes().add_auto_shape(ShapeType::RECTANGLE, 50, 50, 300, 100);
    shape.text_frame()->set_text("Aspose.Slides FOSS");
    pres.save("shapes.pptx", SaveFormat::PPTX);
    return 0;
}

Tables 

#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/cell.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/export/save_format.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/presentation.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/row.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/row_collection.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/shape_collection.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/slide.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/slide_collection.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/table.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/text_frame.h>

#include <vector>

using namespace Aspose::Slides::Foss;

int main() {
    Presentation pres;
    auto& slide = pres.slides()[0];
    // Column widths and row heights in points
    std::vector<double> col_widths = {120.0, 120.0, 120.0};
    std::vector<double> row_heights = {40.0, 40.0, 40.0};
    auto& table = slide.shapes().add_table(50, 50, col_widths, row_heights);
    table.rows()[0][0].text_frame()->set_text("Product");
    table.rows()[0][1].text_frame()->set_text("Quantity");
    table.rows()[0][2].text_frame()->set_text("Price");
    pres.save("table.pptx", SaveFormat::PPTX);
    return 0;
}

Connectors 

#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/auto_shape.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/connector.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/export/save_format.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/presentation.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/shape_collection.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/shape_type.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/slide.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/slide_collection.h>

using namespace Aspose::Slides::Foss;

int main() {
    Presentation pres;
    auto& slide = pres.slides()[0];
    auto& box1 = slide.shapes().add_auto_shape(ShapeType::RECTANGLE, 50, 100, 150, 60);
    auto& box2 = slide.shapes().add_auto_shape(ShapeType::RECTANGLE, 350, 100, 150, 60);
    auto& conn = slide.shapes().add_connector(ShapeType::BENT_CONNECTOR3, 0, 0, 10, 10);
    conn.set_start_shape_connected_to(&box1);
    conn.set_start_shape_connection_site_index(3);  // right side
    conn.set_end_shape_connected_to(&box2);
    conn.set_end_shape_connection_site_index(1);    // left side
    pres.save("connector.pptx", SaveFormat::PPTX);
    return 0;
}

Text Formatting

Format text at paragraph and character level using PortionFormat.

#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/auto_shape.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/drawing/color.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/export/save_format.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/fill_format.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/fill_type.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/nullable_bool.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/paragraph.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/paragraph_collection.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/portion.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/portion_collection.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/portion_format.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/presentation.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/shape_collection.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/shape_type.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/slide.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/slide_collection.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/text_frame.h>

using namespace Aspose::Slides::Foss;
using namespace Aspose::Slides::Foss::Drawing;

int main() {
    Presentation pres;
    auto& slide = pres.slides()[0];
    auto& shape = slide.shapes().add_auto_shape(ShapeType::RECTANGLE, 50, 50, 500, 150);
    shape.text_frame()->set_text("Bold blue heading");

    auto& fmt = shape.text_frame()->paragraphs()[0].portions()[0].portion_format();
    fmt.set_font_height(28);
    fmt.set_font_bold(NullableBool::TRUE);
    fmt.fill_format().set_fill_type(FillType::SOLID);
    fmt.fill_format().solid_fill_color().set_color(Color::from_argb(255, 0, 70, 127));

    pres.save("text.pptx", SaveFormat::PPTX);
    return 0;
}

NullableBool::TRUE sets the property explicitly; NullableBool::NOT_DEFINED inherits from the slide master.

Fill Types

Apply solid, gradient, pattern, or picture fills to shapes.

#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/auto_shape.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/drawing/color.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/export/save_format.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/fill_format.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/fill_type.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/presentation.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/shape_collection.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/shape_type.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/slide.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/slide_collection.h>

using namespace Aspose::Slides::Foss;
using namespace Aspose::Slides::Foss::Drawing;

int main() {
    Presentation pres;
    auto& slide = pres.slides()[0];
    auto& shape = slide.shapes().add_auto_shape(ShapeType::RECTANGLE, 50, 50, 300, 150);

    // Solid fill
    shape.fill_format().set_fill_type(FillType::SOLID);
    shape.fill_format().solid_fill_color().set_color(Color::from_argb(255, 30, 120, 200));

    pres.save("fill.pptx", SaveFormat::PPTX);
    return 0;
}

Visual Effects

Apply outer shadow, glow, soft edge, blur, reflection, and inner shadow to shapes.

The effect properties are accessible through shape.effect_format(). The sub-objects returned by outer_shadow_effect(), glow_effect(), and similar methods are pointers — call them with ->.

#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/auto_shape.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/drawing/color.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/effect_format.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/export/save_format.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/fill_format.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/fill_type.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/presentation.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/shape_collection.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/shape_type.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/slide.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/slide_collection.h>

using namespace Aspose::Slides::Foss;
using namespace Aspose::Slides::Foss::Drawing;

int main() {
    Presentation pres;
    auto& slide = pres.slides()[0];
    auto& shape = slide.shapes().add_auto_shape(ShapeType::RECTANGLE, 100, 100, 200, 100);

    auto& ef = shape.effect_format();

    // Outer drop shadow
    ef.enable_outer_shadow_effect();
    auto* shadow = ef.outer_shadow_effect();
    shadow->set_blur_radius(10);
    shadow->set_direction(315);
    shadow->set_distance(8);
    shadow->shadow_color().set_color(Color::from_argb(128, 0, 0, 0));

    // Glow effect
    ef.enable_glow_effect();
    auto* glow = ef.glow_effect();
    glow->set_radius(15);
    glow->color().set_color(Color::from_argb(200, 255, 200, 0));

    pres.save("effects.pptx", SaveFormat::PPTX);
    return 0;
}

3D Formatting

Apply 3D bevel, camera, light rig, material, and extrusion depth via shape.three_d_format(). This controls the visual depth and lighting model for shape rendering in PPTX viewers that support 3D effects.

#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/auto_shape.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/bevel_preset_type.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/camera_preset_type.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/export/save_format.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/fill_format.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/fill_type.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/drawing/color.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/light_rig_preset_type.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/lighting_direction.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/material_preset_type.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/presentation.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/shape_collection.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/shape_type.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/slide.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/slide_collection.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/three_d_format.h>

using namespace Aspose::Slides::Foss;
using namespace Aspose::Slides::Foss::Drawing;

int main() {
    Presentation pres;
    auto& slide = pres.slides()[0];
    auto& shape = slide.shapes().add_auto_shape(ShapeType::RECTANGLE, 100, 100, 200, 100);

    shape.fill_format().set_fill_type(FillType::SOLID);
    shape.fill_format().solid_fill_color().set_color(Color::from_argb(255, 20, 70, 160));

    auto& tdf = shape.three_d_format();
    tdf.bevel_top().set_bevel_type(BevelPresetType::CIRCLE);
    tdf.bevel_top().set_width(10);
    tdf.bevel_top().set_height(5);
    tdf.camera().set_camera_type(CameraPresetType::PERSPECTIVE_ABOVE);
    tdf.light_rig().set_light_type(LightRigPresetType::BALANCED);
    tdf.light_rig().set_direction(LightingDirection::TOP);
    tdf.set_depth(20);
    tdf.set_material(MaterialPresetType::METAL);

    pres.save("3d.pptx", SaveFormat::PPTX);
    return 0;
}

Speaker Notes

Attach notes to any slide using notes_slide_manager().

#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/export/save_format.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/i_notes_slide.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/i_notes_slide_manager.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/presentation.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/slide.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/slide_collection.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/text_frame.h>

using namespace Aspose::Slides::Foss;

int main() {
    Presentation pres;
    auto* notes = pres.slides()[0].notes_slide_manager().add_notes_slide();
    notes->notes_text_frame().set_text("Key talking point: emphasize the ROI benefit.");
    pres.save("notes.pptx", SaveFormat::PPTX);
    return 0;
}

Comments

Add threaded comments with author information and slide position.

#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/comment.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/comment_author.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/comment_author_collection.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/comment_collection.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/drawing/point_f.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/export/save_format.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/presentation.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/slide.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/slide_collection.h>

#include <chrono>

using namespace Aspose::Slides::Foss;
using namespace Aspose::Slides::Foss::Drawing;

int main() {
    Presentation pres;
    auto& author = pres.comment_authors().add_author("Jane Smith", "JS");
    auto& slide = pres.slides()[0];
    author.comments().add_comment(
        "Please verify this data before the presentation.",
        slide,
        PointF(2.0f, 2.0f),
        std::chrono::system_clock::now()
    );
    pres.save("comments.pptx", SaveFormat::PPTX);
    return 0;
}

Embedded Images

Embed an image from a file into the presentation and add it to a slide as a PictureFrame.

#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/export/save_format.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/image_collection.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/picture_frame.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/pp_image.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/presentation.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/shape_collection.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/shape_type.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/slide.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/slide_collection.h>

#include <fstream>
#include <iterator>
#include <vector>

using namespace Aspose::Slides::Foss;

int main() {
    Presentation pres;
    // Read image bytes from file
    std::ifstream f("logo.png", std::ios::binary);
    std::vector<std::uint8_t> data(
        (std::istreambuf_iterator<char>(f)),
        std::istreambuf_iterator<char>());

    auto& img = pres.images().add_image(data);
    pres.slides()[0].shapes().add_picture_frame(
        ShapeType::RECTANGLE, 50, 50, 200, 150, img);
    pres.save("with-image.pptx", SaveFormat::PPTX);
    return 0;
}

Document Properties

Read and write core, app, and custom document properties.

#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/document_properties.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/export/save_format.h>
#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/presentation.h>

#include <any>
#include <string>

using namespace Aspose::Slides::Foss;

int main() {
    Presentation pres;
    auto& props = pres.document_properties();

    // Core properties
    props.set_title("Q1 Results");
    props.set_author("Finance Team");
    props.set_subject("Quarterly Review");
    props.set_keywords("Q1, finance, results");

    // Custom property
    props.set_custom_property_value("ReviewedBy", std::any(std::string("Legal Team")));

    pres.save("deck.pptx", SaveFormat::PPTX);
    return 0;
}

Known Limitations

The following areas are not available in this edition:

AreaStatus
ChartsNot implemented
SmartArtNot implemented
Animations and transitionsNot implemented
PDF / HTML / SVG / image exportNot implemented (PPTX only)
VBA macrosNot implemented
Digital signaturesNot implemented
Hyperlinks and action settingsNot implemented
OLE objectsNot implemented
Mathematical textNot implemented

See Also

 English