Troubleshooting Python Code to Synchronize Slide Timing in Presentations

John D. · 2025-12-29T19:21:32.339Z

Unfortunately, now I have a special piece of Python code to try and synchronize the slide timing, but it's failing. Not sure why this isn't done anywhere. 😞

Troubleshooting Python Code to Synchronize Slide Timing in Presentations | Gamma Community

3 comments

· Sorted by Oldest

Max J.
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Hey John D. 👋 I'm trying to understand what you're working on here ,"slide timing" isn't something that's part of our API, so I want to make sure I'm following what you're actually trying to do. Are you trying to:
Control auto-advance timing in presentations?
Coordinate when multiple API calls happen?
Something else?
The Generate API creates the content (presentations, docs, etc.) and gives you back a Gamma URL (plus PDF/PPTX if you want), but it doesn't have controls for presentation playback features like slide transitions or timing. If your Python code is failing, I'm happy to help troubleshoot the Gamma API part , things like authentication, request formatting, parameter issues, or errors coming back from our API. But if it's more about the Python logic itself or building out a custom workflow, that's outside what we can directly help with. We focus on making sure you understand how our API works, not debugging custom implementations. Can you share a bit more about what you're ultimately trying to accomplish? And if you're seeing errors from Gamma specifically, I'd love to see those. That'll help me figure out if there's a different approach or if what you need just isn't in the API yet. Our docs are at https://developers.gamma.app if that helps!
John D.
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Hi. I'm trying to record audio and have it timed with the spotlight mode programmatically. Kind of like how PowerPoint has a 'slide timings' section. This lets me time each bullet as it comes in. PPTX export from Gamma doesn't bring in the Spotlight sections that come up in the same way. Gamma is so close to being what I need for my 100+ decks with audio timed to spotlight bullets. Is there an easier way to determine what comes up in Spotlight mode using code? Export PPTX with spotlight sections? Open to all ideas.
👀1
Max J.
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Hey John! 👋 The Generate API is focused on content creation only - it doesn't have any visibility into spotlight mode, animation sections, or timing data. PPTX exports flatten everything to standard PowerPoint slides, so spotlight sections don't carry over programmatically. What you're describing (programmatic access to spotlight timing for audio sync) isn't something the API or exports currently support. 💡 Tip: This sounds like a solid feature request! You can submit it via the "Share feedback" option in the Gamma app - Product does review these, especially when there's a clear use case like yours with 100+ decks. Let me know if you have other questions!

Max J.
·
·
Hey John D. 👋 I'm trying to understand what you're working on here ,"slide timing" isn't something that's part of our API, so I want to make sure I'm following what you're actually trying to do. Are you trying to:
Control auto-advance timing in presentations?
Coordinate when multiple API calls happen?
Something else?
The Generate API creates the content (presentations, docs, etc.) and gives you back a Gamma URL (plus PDF/PPTX if you want), but it doesn't have controls for presentation playback features like slide transitions or timing. If your Python code is failing, I'm happy to help troubleshoot the Gamma API part , things like authentication, request formatting, parameter issues, or errors coming back from our API. But if it's more about the Python logic itself or building out a custom workflow, that's outside what we can directly help with. We focus on making sure you understand how our API works, not debugging custom implementations. Can you share a bit more about what you're ultimately trying to accomplish? And if you're seeing errors from Gamma specifically, I'd love to see those. That'll help me figure out if there's a different approach or if what you need just isn't in the API yet. Our docs are at https://developers.gamma.app if that helps!
John D.
·
·
Hi. I'm trying to record audio and have it timed with the spotlight mode programmatically. Kind of like how PowerPoint has a 'slide timings' section. This lets me time each bullet as it comes in. PPTX export from Gamma doesn't bring in the Spotlight sections that come up in the same way. Gamma is so close to being what I need for my 100+ decks with audio timed to spotlight bullets. Is there an easier way to determine what comes up in Spotlight mode using code? Export PPTX with spotlight sections? Open to all ideas.
👀1
Max J.
·
·
Hey John! 👋 The Generate API is focused on content creation only - it doesn't have any visibility into spotlight mode, animation sections, or timing data. PPTX exports flatten everything to standard PowerPoint slides, so spotlight sections don't carry over programmatically. What you're describing (programmatic access to spotlight timing for audio sync) isn't something the API or exports currently support. 💡 Tip: This sounds like a solid feature request! You can submit it via the "Share feedback" option in the Gamma app - Product does review these, especially when there's a clear use case like yours with 100+ decks. Let me know if you have other questions!