Microsoft 365ReportingProductivity

Cross-App Excel to PowerPoint Workflow

Analyze Excel data and auto-generate PowerPoint slides using the Microsoft 365 connector in a single Cowork session.

Last tested Mar 28, 2026

Access Scope

Local Folders

Excel file location

Output PowerPoint destination

Connected Services

Microsoft 365

Permitted Actions

read

write

rename

delete

Why these permissions? Read access to your Excel files is necessary to analyze the data. Write access to your PowerPoint location allows Cowork to create and save the new presentation. No delete or rename access needed — this is purely data analysis and creation.

Workflow Steps

Connect Microsoft 365 connector

Open Cowork Settings → Connectors and enable the Microsoft 365 connector. Authenticate with your Microsoft account and grant read access to Excel files and write access to create PowerPoint files.

Point Cowork at your Excel file

In your Cowork prompt, reference the Excel file you want to analyze. Provide the exact file path or location.

Ask Claude to analyze the data

Use a prompt that asks Claude to read the Excel file, examine all sheets, and identify the top 5 insights, trends, or key findings.

Generate the PowerPoint from findings

In the same session, ask Claude to create a PowerPoint presentation using those insights. One insight per slide, including charts or data visualizations.

Review and refine

Download the generated PowerPoint, review the slides for accuracy and formatting, and refine the content or structure as needed.

Cowork Prompt Pack

Cowork-ready

Analyze the data in [filename].xlsx. Read all sheets and identify the top 5 key insights, trends, or data points. For each insight, include: the finding, supporting numbers, and why it matters. Then create a PowerPoint presentation called [output].pptx with one slide per insight. Include the data or a relevant visualization on each slide. Format professionally with a title slide. Do not modify the original Excel file.

Works best when you limit Cowork to specific folders and verify before destructive actions.

Verification Checklist

0 of 6 verified

Excel file read correctly

All relevant sheets in the Excel file were accessed and data was accurately extracted

Insights identified

The top 5 key insights or trends were correctly identified from the data

PowerPoint created

A new PowerPoint file was generated with the specified name in the correct location

One insight per slide

Each slide contains one clear insight with supporting data or visualization

Professional formatting

The presentation is well-formatted with consistent styling, readable fonts, and proper data visualization

Original Excel unchanged

The source Excel file remains unmodified

Safety Notes

• Grant access only to specific Excel files you intend to analyze, not entire drive access.
• Review the generated PowerPoint before sharing with others. Check for accuracy, formatting, and sensitive data.
• If the Excel file contains sensitive or confidential data, be careful with the presentation scope and distribution.
• For large Excel files, consider breaking the analysis into multiple smaller sessions to ensure accuracy.

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