CmdCal
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CmdCal
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OverviewWhat CmdCal does and how the engine works.XLSXDeclarative spreadsheet generation with validation, repair, and template-aware workflows.PlaygroundTest the output layer with live JSON-to-PPTX preview.
DocumentationSDK references, API docs, and implementation guides.BlogTechnical deep-dives and product updates.
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How the engine works

Components, charts, and validated output.

Three capabilities that existing PPTX libraries do not ship together.

[01] Capabilities

Describe what goes on the slide.

CmdCal handles the layout contract, editable charts, and output validation in one engine.

Declarative API

Components, not coordinates

Where python-pptx needs slide.shapes.add_textbox(...) and 15 more lines for formatting, CmdCal needs a JSON object with slideType and content. No coordinate math. No raw OOXML. No LibreOffice dependency.

  • Declarative JSON or JSX input
  • Automatic layout
  • 3 lines for a title and subtitle
3lines to render a slide

Editable Excel charts

Charts backed by a real workbook

Every generated chart is a native PowerPoint chart object with an embedded Excel workbook behind it. Recipients double-click, see the data, and modify it.

  • Excel-embedded workbook
  • 6 chart types
  • Works in Google Slides
6chart types

Output quality

Zero repair dialogs

Every output file is validated against the OOXML spec before it leaves the API. We track the repair-dialog bugs that affect python-pptx and PptxGenJS and test against them.

  • Spec-validated output
  • No repair prompts
  • Clean in every viewer
0repair dialogs

[02] Comparison

CmdCal vs. the alternatives.

This comparison lives here and only here.

CapabilityCmdCalpython-pptxPptxGenJS
Input modelDeclarative JSON / JSXImperative coordinate callsImperative JS calls
Lines for title + subtitle34730+
Editable Excel chartsYes — 6 typesBroken labels (issue #395)Triggers repair dialogs (#1020)
Output validationOOXML spec-checkedNoneNone
AI agent supportMCP server + JSON APIManual imperative callsManual imperative calls
RuntimeNode.js / hosted APIPython + OOXML manualBrowser-heavy JS

[03] Scope

What CmdCal supports today.

If your use case needs SmartArt, animations, or embedded video, python-pptx with manual positioning is still the better option for now.

CapabilityCapabilityStatus
Text, titles, body copyText, titles, body copySupported
TablesTablesSupported
Images and shapesImages and shapesSupported
Editable Excel chartsEditable Excel chartsSupported — 6 types
Master slide inheritanceMaster slide inheritanceSupported
PPTX, DOCX, PDF outputPPTX, DOCX, PDF outputSupported
SmartArtSmartArtNot yet
AnimationsAnimationsNot yet
Embedded videoEmbedded videoNot yet

See it in action.

Open the playground, paste JSON, get a real deck.

Open playground