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Populate Phase

The Populate Phase is where the AI fills your slides with actual content - text, tables, chart data - transforming the skeleton structure into a complete draft presentation.

Purpose​

The Populate Phase:

  • Takes the slide structure from Structure Phase.
  • Fills every shape on every slide with content.
  • Generates text, tables, chart data.
  • Applies appropriate formatting.
  • Creates a complete draft presentation.

Output: Fully populated draft presentation ready for review

How Population Works​

The Population Process​

For each slide in the structure:

  1. AI reads the structure

    • Which template slide to use
    • What content should go on this slide
    • Source hints and context

  2. AI examines the template slide

    • What shapes exist (text boxes, tables, charts)
    • Which shapes should be filled (based on usage classification)
    • What format each shape needs

  3. AI generates content for each shape

    • Writes text for text boxes.
    • Creates data for tables.
    • Generates chart data.
    • Applies appropriate formatting.

  4. AI stages the changes

    • Updates are prepared but not yet committed.
    • You can review and modify before finalizing.

Parallel Processing​

Slides are populated in parallel (simultaneously) for speed:

  • Multiple slides being worked on at once
  • Faster overall generation
  • Progress bar shows completion percentage

Typical timing:

  • 5-slide presentation: 2-3 minutes
  • 10-slide presentation: 3-5 minutes
  • 20-slide presentation: 5-10 minutes

What Gets Populated​

Text Shapes​

The AI generates:

  • Titles - Descriptive, compelling headlines
  • Body text - Paragraphs, bullet points, descriptions
  • Callouts - Key highlights or quotes
  • Labels - Chart labels, captions

Content characteristics:

  • Matches specified tone (professional, conversational, etc.)
  • Follows specified style (narrative, data-driven, etc.)
  • Appropriate length for shape size
  • Formatted with bullets/paragraphs as appropriate

Tables​

Data-Connected Tables: If a table is linked to a data collection:

  • Populated automatically from your validated data
  • Headers from data column names
  • Rows from your data file
  • Formatting follows template table style

AI-Generated Tables: For tables without data connections, the AI generates:

  • Table data - Rows and columns of information
  • Headers - Column and row headers
  • Formatting - Appropriate data formatting

From your content:

  • Uses tables you created in Build Phase
  • Formats to fit template table structure
  • May aggregate or summarize if needed

Charts​

Data-Connected Charts: If a chart is linked to a data collection (configured before Build phase):

  • Populated automatically from your validated data
  • No AI interpretation - direct data transfer
  • Exact values from your data files
  • Labels and formatting from template

Population reads the build session stored dataConfigurations (resolved selections from the data-configuration step) together with the workflow. If that metadata is missing or empty, chart/table links in the workflow alone are not enough—the populate step will treat those shapes like normal content. Batch population loads the session from storage first so the latest persisted metadata (including dataConfigurations) is used.

AI-Generated Charts: For charts without data connections, the AI generates:

  • Chart data - Series and data points
  • Labels - Axis labels, legends
  • Formatting - Colors, styles (from template)

From your content:

  • Converts tables to chart data
  • Selects appropriate metrics
  • Creates meaningful visualizations

See Data Integration for details on connecting data to charts.

Images​

Note: The AI does NOT generate or find images. Image shapes:

  • Remain as in template
  • Can be replaced manually in PowerPoint later
  • Are marked as "no touch" if they're placeholders

Population Context​

The AI uses multiple sources to generate appropriate content:

From Data Connections​

If you configured data connections before Build phase:

  • Pre-validated data objects from your collections
  • Charts and tables populated with exact values
  • Data metadata (row counts, dates) for context
  • No additional fetching required - data was validated upfront

From Your Content​

  • Main content pieces from Build Phase
  • Tables you created
  • Specific data and facts
  • Key messages and themes

From Structure​

  • Slide purpose
  • Source hints (key quotes/phrases to include)
  • Content assignments
  • Specific instructions

From Workflow (if applicable)​

  • Tone setting (professional, persuasive, etc.)
  • Style setting (data-driven, narrative, etc.)
  • General instructions
  • Section-specific instructions

From Template​

  • Shape names and types
  • Usage classifications (any, no_touch, must_touch)
  • Existing formatting and styles
  • Visual hierarchy

Monitoring Progress​

During population, you'll see:

Progress Indicator

  • Percentage complete
  • Number of slides completed
  • Time estimate

Slide-by-Slide Status

  • Which slides are being processed
  • Which are complete
  • Any errors encountered

Real-Time Updates

  • Populated slides appear as they complete
  • You can preview (but not edit) during population

Reviewing Populated Slides​

Once population completes, review the draft:

Preview Mode​

You'll see:

  • All slides in order
  • Complete content on each slide
  • Visual preview of how it looks

Navigation:

  • Scroll through slides
  • Click on individual slides for detail view
  • Zoom in/out as needed

What to Check​

Content Accuracy

  • Facts and data correct?
  • Key messages included?
  • Nothing contradictory?

Content Completeness

  • All important points covered?
  • No major gaps?
  • Appropriate detail level?

Content Appropriateness

  • Tone matches expectations?
  • Style fits the context?
  • Language appropriate for audience?

Visual Balance

  • Slides not too dense or too sparse?
  • Good variety across slides?
  • Content fits well in shapes?

Common Population Results​

Excellent Results:

  • Content accurate and complete
  • Well-distributed across slides
  • Appropriate detail level
  • Good visual balance
  • Minor refinements needed

Good Results:

  • Content mostly correct
  • Some refinement needed
  • A few adjustments required
  • Overall structure sound

Needs Work:

  • Some content issues
  • Requires significant refinement
  • May need regeneration
  • Structure might be the issue

Issues and Troubleshooting​

Content Doesn't Match Expectations​

Possible causes:

  • Unclear source content in Build Phase
  • Poor structure (wrong slides selected)
  • Tone/style not appropriate
  • Workflow instructions unclear

Solutions:

  • Refine in Refine Phase
  • Regenerate with better source content
  • Adjust workflow settings
  • Modify structure and repopulate

Content Too Sparse or Too Dense​

Too sparse (not enough content):

  • Add more content in Build Phase
  • Use fewer slides in structure
  • Regenerate population

Too dense (too much content):

  • Add more slides in structure
  • Simplify content in Build Phase
  • Let Refine Phase help redistribute

Wrong Data in Tables/Charts​

Possible causes:

  • Source tables unclear or incorrect
  • AI misinterpreted data
  • Data mapping errors

Solutions:

  • Verify source tables in Build Phase
  • Manually correct in Refine Phase
  • Provide clearer table labels/headers

Content on Wrong Slides​

Possible causes:

  • Structure phase issues
  • Source hints incorrect
  • Content organization unclear

Solutions:

  • Review structure
  • Regenerate structure with feedback
  • Move content in Refine Phase

Population Errors​

If population fails:

  • Error message will indicate the issue
  • Usually due to template shape incompatibilities
  • Contact support or retry with different template

Population Quality Factors​

What Makes Good Population​

Good source content:

  • Specific, detailed content in Build Phase
  • Clear organization and sections
  • Accurate data in tables
  • Explicit key messages

Good structure:

  • Appropriate slides selected
  • Logical order
  • Good variety
  • Right amount of slides

Good template:

  • Well-configured slides
  • Clear shape naming
  • Appropriate usage classification
  • Variety of slide types

Good workflow settings:

  • Appropriate tone
  • Suitable style
  • Clear instructions
  • Well-defined structure

Improving Population Quality​

Before population:

  • Polish content in Build Phase.
  • Refine structure carefully.
  • Select/configure template well.
  • Test workflow settings.

After population:

  • Use Refine Phase for adjustments.
  • Learn what works for next time.
  • Update workflows based on learnings.

The Staged Changes Concept​

Population creates "staged changes" - modifications prepared but not yet permanent:

During Population:

  • Changes are proposed.
  • Not yet saved to backend.
  • Can be modified in Refine Phase.

After Refine:

  • Still staged until you commit.
  • Can still discard everything.
  • Only become permanent on commit.

This means:

  • Safe to experiment.
  • Can regenerate without losing original.
  • No changes until you explicitly commit.

Moving to Refine Phase​

After population, you automatically enter Refine Phase.

What you can do in Refine Phase:

  • Review all slides.
  • Request changes via Refinement Assistant.
  • Adjust content, tone, formatting.
  • Add or remove slides.
  • Polish for final presentation.

Before moving forward:

  • Review all slides at least once.
  • Note any major issues.
  • Decide if regeneration needed or refinement sufficient.

Regenerating Population​

If you're not satisfied, you can regenerate:

  1. Go back to Structure Phase.
  2. Adjust structure if needed.
  3. Click "Populate Slides" again.
  4. Wait for new population.
  5. Review new results.

Note: Regenerating discards previous population. There's no "merge" - it's a fresh start.

Common Questions​

Q: Can I edit slides during population? A: No, wait for it to complete. Then edit in Refine Phase.

Q: What if population gets stuck? A: Usually completes within 10 minutes. If longer, try refreshing page or contacting support.

Q: Can I cancel population mid-way? A: You can navigate away, but population may continue. Better to let it complete.

Q: Why does population take so long? A: Each shape on each slide needs AI-generated content. 10-20 slides with 5-10 shapes each = 50-200 AI generation calls.

Q: Can I speed up population? A: Not directly. Simpler slides (fewer shapes) populate faster.

Q: What if I don't like the populated content? A: Use Refine Phase to make changes, or regenerate entirely.

Q: Does workflow mode population differ? A: Yes, it uses the detailed content from structure phase. Usually more accurate to workflow requirements.

Next Steps​