50 ChatGPT Prompts for PowerPoint That Actually Work

She’d spent six hours fighting with ChatGPT. At 11 PM, a VP of Marketing sent me her deck—47 slides of generic corporate fluff that would make any executive reach for their phone mid-presentation.

“I thought AI would make this easier,” she said.

It does—but only if you know how to prompt it.

Quick Answer: ChatGPT for PowerPoint can create presentation outlines, write slide content, generate speaker notes, and suggest visual layouts in seconds. The best prompts are specific, contextual, and iterative—you refine outputs through conversation rather than expecting perfection on the first try. Time savings: 10-15 hours per presentation when used correctly.

Jump to:

• 🚨 Presenting Tomorrow? Start Here
• What’s New in ChatGPT (Early 2026)
• The 5-Step ChatGPT Workflow
• Phase 1: Structure & Outline (Prompts 1-10)
• Phase 2: Content Writing (Prompts 11-25)
• Phase 3: Design Suggestions (Prompts 26-35)
• Phase 4: Speaker Notes (Prompts 36-45)
• Phase 5: Refinement (Prompts 46-55)
• What ChatGPT Can’t Do
• FAQ

What’s New in ChatGPT for Presentations (Early 2026)

ChatGPT has evolved significantly since late 2025. Here’s what matters for presentation creators (features and pricing may change—check OpenAI’s site for current details):

GPT-5.2: Smarter and More Conversational

As of early 2026, OpenAI’s GPT-5.2 model is better at technical writing, how-to explanations, and following complex instructions—all critical for presentation content. It’s also warmer and more conversational, which means less robotic-sounding speaker notes.

ChatGPT Go: New Lower-Cost Tier

ChatGPT now offers multiple subscription tiers (pricing and limits may vary):

• Free: Limited messages, basic access
• ChatGPT Go (~$8/month): More messages than free, longer memory—ideal for regular presentation creators on a budget
• ChatGPT Plus (~$20/month): Advanced reasoning for complex tasks
• ChatGPT Pro: Maximum context and early feature access

Projects: Organise Your Presentation Work

ChatGPT Projects lets you group related chats and files together with custom instructions. This is useful for presentation creators who work on multiple decks simultaneously or want ChatGPT to remember company tone guidelines. File limits vary by plan.

Conversation Branching

You can now branch conversations to explore different prompt directions without losing your original thread—useful when comparing alternative presentation structures.

Image Generation & Editing

ChatGPT can now generate images and edit existing photos through natural language. However, it still can’t create actual PowerPoint files—it generates images, not .pptx slides.

Bottom line: The prompts in this guide work with all ChatGPT versions. If you’re on the free tier and create presentations regularly, a paid plan is likely worth it for the increased limits.

Why Most People Waste ChatGPT’s Potential

After 24 years creating executive presentations at JPMorgan, PwC, and Commerzbank, I’ve tested hundreds of ChatGPT prompts across real client decks: board presentations, investor pitches, quarterly business reviews. These 50 are the ones that actually work.

But here’s what I’ve learned: ChatGPT gives you content. What it can’t give you is structure. Content without structure? That’s how you end up with a 47-slide disaster that gets politely ignored.

Bad prompt: “Create a presentation about marketing.”
Result: Generic, useless garbage you delete immediately.

Good prompt: “Create a 10-slide presentation outline for a B2B SaaS marketing strategy targeted at enterprise CTOs. Include: current challenges, our solution approach, case study results, implementation timeline, and ROI projections. Professional tone, data-driven approach.”
Result: Solid foundation you can refine in 30 minutes.

The difference? Specificity, context, and structure.

What ChatGPT Can’t Do (Yet):

• ❌ Create actual PowerPoint files (it’s text-only—you paste into PowerPoint)
• ❌ Apply your corporate template or brand colours
• ❌ Design slide layouts (though it can suggest them)
• ❌ Understand your specific audience’s unstated needs
• ❌ Create strategic narrative arcs that build tension
• ❌ Replace human judgment on what matters

What it CAN do now (January 2026): Generate images with GPT Images 1.5, edit existing photos, create visual concepts, and organise your work in Projects.

ChatGPT is a drafting tool, not a replacement for presentation expertise. Use it to eliminate blank-page paralysis and speed up content creation—then apply your strategic thinking.

The 5-Step ChatGPT Presentation Workflow

Here’s the process that saves 10+ hours per presentation:

Step 1: Generate Structure (5 minutes) — Get outline and slide suggestions

Step 2: Write Content (15 minutes) — Create bullet points and paragraphs for each slide

Step 3: Refine Messaging (10 minutes) — Improve clarity, tone, and flow

Step 4: Generate Supporting Material (10 minutes) — Speaker notes, Q&A prep, executive summaries

Step 5: Polish in PowerPoint (30-60 minutes) — Add design, visuals, and final touches

Total time: 70-100 minutes vs 8-12 hours manually

Now let’s break down each step with specific prompts…

Phase 1: Structure & Outline (Prompts 1-10)

1. Basic Presentation Outline

“Create a 10-slide presentation outline about [TOPIC]. Target audience: [AUDIENCE]. Goal: [GOAL]. Include slide titles and 2-3 bullet points per slide.”

2. Industry-Specific Presentation

“Create a presentation outline for [INDUSTRY] professionals about [TOPIC]. Address common pain points: [LIST PAIN POINTS]. Provide actionable solutions. 12-15 slides.”

3. Problem-Solution Structure

“Create a problem-solution presentation structure: Slides 1-3: Define the problem with data. Slides 4-6: Introduce our solution. Slides 7-9: Show proof (case studies). Slides 10-12: Implementation plan. Topic: [YOUR TOPIC].”

4. Storytelling Presentation Arc

“Create a presentation outline using the hero’s journey framework for [TOPIC]. Opening: The ordinary world (current situation). Challenge: The problem emerges. Journey: Our solution process. Victory: Success results. Return: How audience can achieve same results. 15 slides.”

5. Data-Heavy Presentation

“Create a data-driven presentation outline about [TOPIC]. Each slide should include: One key metric/statistic, What it means (interpretation), Why it matters (implication). Focus on ROI, efficiency gains, and measurable outcomes. 10 slides.”

6. Executive Summary Style

“Create an executive-level presentation (8-10 slides max) about [TOPIC]. Each slide = one key message. Start with TL;DR summary slide. Focus on business impact, not process details. Audience: C-suite executives with 15-minute attention span.”

For more on structuring executive presentations, see my guide on executive presentation templates.

7. Training/Educational Presentation

“Create a training presentation outline for teaching [SKILL/TOPIC]. Include: Learning objectives (slide 1), Current vs desired state (slide 2-3), Step-by-step process (slides 4-10), Common mistakes (slide 11), Practice exercises (slide 12), Resources (slide 13).”

8. Sales Pitch Structure

“Create a sales presentation outline using SPIN selling framework (Situation, Problem, Implication, Need-Payoff) for [PRODUCT/SERVICE]. Target: [AUDIENCE]. Include pricing slide, objection handling, and clear call-to-action. 12 slides.”

9. Comparison Presentation

“Create a presentation comparing [OPTION A] vs [OPTION B] vs [OPTION C] for [USE CASE]. Include: Criteria for comparison (slide 2), Feature comparison table (slides 3-5), Cost analysis (slide 6), Pros/cons (slide 7-9), Recommendation (slide 10). Objective tone.”

10. Investor/Board Presentation

“Create a board presentation outline: Opening (1-2 min): Key highlights. Performance review (3-4 min): Metrics vs targets. Strategic initiatives (4-5 min): What we’re doing. Risks/challenges (2 min): Transparency. Ask (1 min): What we need. 10-12 slides, data-focused, executive tone.”

Phase 2: Content Writing (Prompts 11-25)

11. Opening Slide Hook

“Write an attention-grabbing opening for a presentation about [TOPIC]. Target audience: [AUDIENCE]. Use one of these approaches: Surprising statistic, provocative question, or bold statement. Make it memorable in one sentence.”

12. Problem Statement Slide

“Write a problem statement slide about [PROBLEM] that [AUDIENCE] faces. Include: 3 bullet points describing the problem, One statistic showing impact, One quote from someone experiencing this problem. Make it relatable and urgent.”

13. Solution Slide Content

“Write content for a solution slide presenting [YOUR SOLUTION] to [PROBLEM]. Include: Headline (how it works in 6 words), 3 key benefits (bullet points), How it’s different from alternatives (one sentence), Expected outcome (specific result). Keep bullets to max 10 words each.”

14. Case Study Slide

“Write a case study slide for [COMPANY/CLIENT]. Structure: Challenge (what problem they had), Solution (what we did), Results (specific metrics: X% improvement in Y). Include one brief client quote. Make results tangible and impressive.”

15. Data Visualisation Descriptions

“I have this data: [INSERT DATA]. Suggest the best chart type (bar, line, pie, scatter, etc.) and write: Chart title, Axis labels, Key insight to highlight, One-sentence takeaway. Make the data tell a clear story.”

16. Transition Slides

“Write transition slide text to connect [SECTION A] to [SECTION B] in my presentation. Make it one impactful sentence that bridges the logic: ‘Now that we’ve established [A], let’s examine [B].’ Keep it under 15 words.”

17. Technical Concept Simplification

“Explain [TECHNICAL CONCEPT] for a non-technical audience in 3 bullet points (max 12 words each). Use analogies. Avoid jargon. Make it clear what it does and why it matters, not how it works technically.”

18. Benefit-Focused Bullets

“Convert these features into benefit-focused bullet points for [AUDIENCE]: [LIST FEATURES]. Each bullet should answer ‘so what?’ and focus on outcomes, not capabilities. Use action verbs. Max 10 words per bullet.”

Once ChatGPT generates your content, you still need the right structure to organise it. The AI Presentation Prompt Pack (£9.99) gives you prompts organised by slide type—so you can find exactly what you need in seconds.

19. Call-to-Action Slide

“Write a closing slide with clear call-to-action for [DESIRED ACTION]. Include: Headline (what to do next), 2-3 specific next steps (numbered), Contact information, Urgency element (why act now). Make it impossible to miss what they should do.”

20. Q&A Preparation Content

“Based on this presentation topic [TOPIC], generate 10 likely questions the audience will ask. For each question, provide: The question, A concise answer (2-3 sentences), Supporting data/evidence (if applicable). Anticipate tough questions.”

21. Analogy Generation

“Create 3 analogies to explain [COMPLEX CONCEPT] to [AUDIENCE]. Each analogy should: Use familiar reference points for [AUDIENCE], Highlight the key similarity, Be memorable and visual. Pick everyday examples.”

22. Objection Handling Slides

“Write content for an objection-handling slide addressing: ‘[COMMON OBJECTION]’. Structure: State the concern (acknowledge it), Present the counterpoint (data/logic), Provide reassurance (how we address it). Tone: Understanding but confident.”

23. Testimonial/Quote Slides

“Write a testimonial slide structure for [PRODUCT/SERVICE]. Include: Client name and title, Company (with logo placeholder note), Quote (20-30 words max, focusing on specific outcome), Result metric (X% improvement in Y). Make quote feel authentic, not marketing-speak.”

24. Timeline/Process Slides

“Create a process timeline for [PROJECT/IMPLEMENTATION]. Break into 4-6 phases. For each phase: Phase name (2-3 words), Duration, Key activities (2-3 bullets), Milestone/deliverable. Make it clear this is achievable and structured.”

25. Summary/Recap Slide

“Write a summary slide recapping the key messages from this presentation about [TOPIC]. Include: 3-4 main takeaways (one sentence each), The one thing they must remember, Next step/action item. Use ‘you’ language to make it personal.”

Phase 3: Design & Visual Suggestions (Prompts 26-35)

26. Visual Hierarchy Guidance

“For a slide about [TOPIC] with this content: [PASTE CONTENT]. Suggest: Which text should be largest/boldest (hierarchy), What should be bulleted vs paragraphs, Where to place emphasis (bold/colour), Suggested layout (single column, two-column, etc.).”

27. Icon Suggestions

“I’m creating slides about [TOPIC]. Suggest appropriate icons/visuals for these concepts: [LIST CONCEPTS]. For each concept, recommend: Icon type (e.g., lightbulb for ideas, target for goals), Colour association, Alternative visual metaphors.”

28. Colour Scheme Recommendations

“Suggest a colour scheme for a presentation about [TOPIC] targeting [AUDIENCE]. Presentation tone: [Professional/Creative/Technical/Friendly]. Recommend: Primary colour, Secondary colour, Background colour, Text colour. Explain psychological reasoning.”

29. Chart Type Selection

“I want to show [DATA RELATIONSHIP/COMPARISON]. Should I use: Bar chart, Line chart, Pie chart, Scatter plot, or something else? Explain why this chart type best communicates my message.”

30. Image Search Keywords

“I need stock images for slides about [TOPIC]. For each slide concept below, suggest 3-5 search keywords to find relevant professional images: [LIST SLIDE TOPICS]. Avoid clichés (no handshakes or lightbulbs unless truly relevant).”

31. Slide Layout Recommendations

“For a slide with this content: [PASTE CONTENT]. Suggest the best layout: Title position, Text area (left/centre/right), Visual placement, White space distribution. Should this be one slide or split into two?”

32. Font Pairing Suggestions

“Suggest font pairings for a [FORMAL/CREATIVE/TECHNICAL] presentation about [TOPIC]. Recommend: Heading font, Body text font, When to use each, Size guidelines. Consider readability on screens and projectors.”

33. Data Visualisation Critique

“I’m showing this data in my presentation: [DESCRIBE DATA/CHART]. Critique this approach: Is this the right chart type? What could be clearer? What should I emphasise? Suggest improvements.”

34. Slide Density Check

“Review this slide content for information density: [PASTE CONTENT]. Is this too much for one slide? Should I: Keep as-is, Remove content, Split into multiple slides, or Simplify wording? Apply the ‘glance test’—can someone get the point in 3 seconds?”

35. Visual Metaphor Brainstorm

“Brainstorm 5 visual metaphors to represent [CONCEPT/PROCESS]. Each metaphor should: Be instantly recognisable, Highlight key aspect, Work as slide imagery, Avoid overused clichés.”

Phase 4: Speaker Notes & Delivery (Prompts 36-45)

36. Comprehensive Speaker Notes

“Write speaker notes for this slide: [SLIDE CONTENT]. Include: Opening sentence (what to say first), Key points to elaborate (that aren’t on slide), Transition to next slide, Timing note (how long to spend), Potential audience questions.”

37. Presentation Opening Script

“Write a 60-second opening script for my presentation about [TOPIC]. Include: Personal connection/why I care, Hook (problem/stat/story), What audience will learn, Why it matters to them. Conversational tone.”

38. Storytelling Elements

“Turn this dry information into a story: [PASTE INFO]. Create a narrative with: Character (person/company experiencing this), Challenge (what went wrong), Journey (how they solved it), Resolution (happy ending). Keep it under 90 seconds to tell.”

39. Humour Injection (Where Appropriate)

“Suggest subtle humour for a slide about [TOPIC]. Audience: [AUDIENCE TYPE]. Provide: 2-3 light, self-deprecating observations that create a smile. Keep it professional—subtle warmth, not comedy.”

40. Pause Points for Emphasis

“Review my presentation script: [PASTE SCRIPT]. Mark where I should: Pause for effect, Speed up, Slow down, Add emphasis. Help me pace delivery effectively.”

If presentation nerves are getting in the way of your delivery, my guide on calming nerves before a presentation shares the 5-minute reset that actually works.

41. Audience Engagement Prompts

“Suggest 5 ways to make my presentation about [TOPIC] more interactive. Options: Rhetorical questions, Quick polls, Show of hands, Think-pair-share moments, Brief activities. Keep engagement under 2 minutes each.”

42. Difficult Slide Explanation

“This slide is complex: [DESCRIBE SLIDE]. Write an explanation that: Starts with the big picture, Guides attention, Explains significance, Connects to audience. Use verbal signposting.”

43. Tough Question Responses

“Someone might ask: ‘[TOUGH QUESTION]’ after my presentation on [TOPIC]. Write a response that: Acknowledges the concern, Provides honest answer, Offers context/nuance, Doesn’t get defensive.”

44. Time Adjustment Strategies

“My presentation is designed for 20 minutes. Create: 15-minute version (what to cut), 30-minute version (what to expand), Which slides are must-cover vs nice-to-have.”

45. Closing Impact Statement

“Write a memorable closing statement for my presentation about [TOPIC]. Something that: Circles back to opening, Inspires action, Leaves them thinking, Is quotable. One powerful sentence.”

Great content needs great prompts at your fingertips. If you’re tired of scrolling back through this article, the AI Presentation Prompt Pack (£9.99) gives you everything searchable and organised by slide type.

Phase 5: Refinement & Optimisation (Prompts 46-55)

46. Jargon Elimination

“Rewrite this content without jargon: [PASTE CONTENT]. Replace technical terms with plain language. Maintain accuracy but improve accessibility.”

47. Passive to Active Voice

“Convert these passive voice bullets to active voice: [PASTE BULLETS]. Make them more direct and engaging. Use action verbs.”

48. Clarity Improvement

“This slide content is unclear: [PASTE CONTENT]. Rewrite to improve clarity by: Removing ambiguity, Shortening sentences, Adding specificity, Using concrete examples.”

49. Consistency Check

“Review my presentation for consistency: [PASTE FULL OUTLINE]. Check: Tone consistency, Formatting patterns, Terminology, Messaging flow. Flag inconsistencies.”

50. Audience-Specific Adaptation

“I’m presenting this content: [PASTE CONTENT] to [NEW AUDIENCE TYPE]. Adapt it by: Changing examples they’ll understand, Adjusting technical level, Emphasising different benefits, Modifying tone.”

51. Redundancy Elimination

“Analyse my presentation outline: [PASTE OUTLINE]. Identify: Redundant information, Slides that could merge, Content that doesn’t support main message. Help me trim 20% without losing impact.”

52. Fact-Checking Request

“I’m making these claims in my presentation: [LIST CLAIMS]. For each: Do they sound accurate? Are they specific enough? Should I add a source citation?”

⚠️ Note: ChatGPT can be confidently wrong. Always verify important facts from authoritative sources.

53. Accessibility Review

“Review my presentation for accessibility: [DESCRIBE SLIDES]. Suggest: Alt text for images, Colour contrast improvements, Font size minimums, How to describe visuals verbally.”

54. Cultural Sensitivity Check

“I’m presenting to a [COUNTRY/REGION/CULTURE] audience. Review this content for cultural sensitivity: [PASTE CONTENT]. Flag: Idioms that don’t translate, Cultural references they won’t understand, Better alternatives.”

55. Persuasion Enhancement

“Make this content more persuasive: [PASTE CONTENT]. Apply persuasion principles: Social proof, Scarcity, Authority, Reciprocity. Don’t make it salesy—keep it subtle.”

Bonus: Using ChatGPT Projects for Presentations (New in 2026)

56. Project Custom Instructions

Set this as your Project’s custom instructions:

“I create executive presentations for [INDUSTRY/COMPANY]. My audience is typically [ROLE]. Our brand voice is [DESCRIPTION]. When I ask for presentation content, always: use active voice, keep bullets under 10 words, focus on outcomes not features, and assume decision-maker audience. Our standard structure is: executive summary first, then supporting evidence, then ask/next steps.”

57. Image Generation for Slides

“Generate a professional image for a presentation slide about [TOPIC]. Style: corporate, clean, minimal text. Aspect ratio: 16:9. The image should convey [EMOTION/CONCEPT]. Avoid: clip art style, cartoons, overly busy compositions.”

58. Branch Test for Alternative Approaches

When you’ve generated a presentation outline, use conversation branching to test alternatives:

“Now create an alternative version of this outline that: leads with the problem rather than the solution / uses a storytelling arc instead of logical progression / is half the length for a time-pressed audience.”

What ChatGPT Can’t Do (The Critical Limitations)

1. Visual Design (Limited)

ChatGPT can now generate and edit images with GPT Images 1.5—but it still can’t create actual PowerPoint slides, apply your corporate template, or design layouts. What it can do: Generate presentation visuals, edit existing images via text prompts, create charts and diagrams as images. What it can’t do: Create .pptx files, apply brand colours/fonts, or design slide layouts. Solution: Use ChatGPT for content and image concepts, then build in PowerPoint or use tools like Canva/Beautiful.ai for final design.

2. Audience-Specific Nuance

ChatGPT doesn’t know your specific audience’s unstated needs, company politics, or what competitors have said. Solution: Provide detailed context in prompts.

3. Strategic Narrative Design

ChatGPT struggles with creating tension that builds to resolution, knowing which data points matter most, and crafting narratives that lead to specific decisions. Solution: Use ChatGPT for drafting, then apply human strategic thinking.

4. Fact Accuracy (The Biggest Risk)

ChatGPT can confidently state false information and mix up dates, numbers, and names. Solution: Always verify facts from authoritative sources.

5. Current Events (Knowledge Cutoff)

ChatGPT’s training data has a cutoff date. Solution: Provide current information in your prompts.

For a complete guide to using AI effectively for presentations, see my article on how to use AI for presentations.

FAQ: ChatGPT for PowerPoint Presentations

Can ChatGPT create actual PowerPoint files?

No. ChatGPT generates text content, not .pptx files. It can now generate images (with GPT Images 1.5) and edit existing photos, but the core limitation remains: you copy ChatGPT’s text output into PowerPoint manually. Workflow: ChatGPT generates content → You copy into PowerPoint → You add design/visuals. Alternative: Microsoft Copilot works inside PowerPoint and can generate actual slides with design—better if you want end-to-end AI slide creation.

Is ChatGPT Plus worth it for presentations?

Depends on your volume and needs. As of early 2026, ChatGPT offers multiple tiers (pricing and features may change):

• ChatGPT Go: Lower-cost option with more messages than free—good value for regular presentation creators
• ChatGPT Plus: Advanced reasoning for complex tasks
• Microsoft Copilot: Better if you want AI that works directly inside PowerPoint

If you create 2+ presentations monthly, a paid tier likely pays for itself in time savings. Check OpenAI’s site for current pricing.

How accurate is ChatGPT’s information?

⚠️ Critical: ChatGPT can be confidently wrong. Always verify statistics, quotes, dates, and scientific/technical claims from authoritative sources. Safe to trust: structure suggestions, writing style improvements, creative brainstorming, and general best practices.

Can ChatGPT help with presentation design?

More than before, but still limited. As of January 2026, ChatGPT can: suggest colour schemes, recommend chart types, advise on layouts, critique information density, generate images with GPT Images 1.5, and edit existing photos through natural language. It still cannot create actual .pptx files, apply your corporate template, or see your slides to give feedback on them.

How long does it take to create a presentation with ChatGPT?

Realistic timeline: Outline (5 min) + Content generation (15-30 min) + Refinement (10-20 min) + Copy to PowerPoint (10-15 min) + Design (30-60 min) = 70-130 minutes vs 8-12 hours manually.

What about privacy and confidential information?

ChatGPT Free/Plus conversations may be used for training—don’t share customer data, financial details, or proprietary info. ChatGPT Enterprise and Microsoft Copilot offer enterprise-grade security with data that stays in your environment.

📧 PS: Want weekly presentation tips? Subscribe to The Winning Edge →

Not ready to buy? Get my 10 Essential AI Prompts free.

Your Next Steps

You now have 58 prompts to transform your presentation workflow with ChatGPT.

If you’re presenting soon: Start with the 3 prompts in the “Presenting Tomorrow” box above. Structure → Hook → Notes. That’s all you need to get started.

If you create presentations regularly: Get the AI Presentation Prompt Pack (£9.99) so you can find the right prompt in seconds instead of scrolling through this article.

If presentation nerves hold you back: The best prompts won’t help if anxiety takes over. See my guide on calming nerves before a presentation.

PS: Need executive-level slide structures (board presentations, budget requests, QBRs)? The Executive Slide System (£39) gives you the frameworks that turn AI content into decks that get decisions.

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About the Author

With 24 years in corporate banking at JPMorgan Chase, PwC, Royal Bank of Scotland, and Commerzbank, I’ve created thousands of executive presentations. As a qualified clinical hypnotherapist who overcame my own 5-year struggle with presentation anxiety, I now train executives through Winning Presentations.

Last updated: January 25, 2026