Gamma

Gamma.app provides a feature that allows users to export their presentations to the Microsoft PowerPoint (.pptx) format. This function is accessible through the 'Share' button or the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner of the user interface, where 'Export' can be selected. Upon completion of the export process, the platform also sends a copy of the .pptx file to the user's email. While this feature provides a bridge to traditional office workflows, the conversion process is widely reported to have significant limitations in terms of visual fidelity and the preservation of functionality. The core issue stems from the fundamental architectural difference between Gamma's fluid, vertical, web-based card layout and PowerPoint's fixed, 16:9 slide-based format. This mismatch makes a direct, high-fidelity translation challenging. When a Gamma presentation is exported to .pptx, the resulting file contains elements that are technically editable, but with major caveats. Text generally remains as editable text boxes within PowerPoint. However, Gamma does not embed the fonts used in the presentation into the exported .pptx file. Consequently, if the recipient of the file does not have the specific fonts installed on their local machine, PowerPoint will substitute them with available system fonts. This substitution frequently leads to significant layout shifts, text overflow, and a general breakdown of the intended visual design. Visual elements such as icons and shapes may be converted into a hybrid of objects and high-resolution images, which can contribute to large file sizes; a standard deck can easily exceed 25MB. The export process is often described by users and reviewers as Gamma's 'Achilles' heel' due to these persistent fidelity issues. One of the most significant losses during the export process is the complete removal of all interactivity and dynamic content. Gamma's web-native presentations support live embeds such as videos from YouTube or Loom, interactive applications, and dynamic data from sources like Airtable or Google Sheets. All of these interactive elements are converted into static, non-functional placeholder images in the PowerPoint file. Similarly, any animations, transitions, or interactive widgets native to Gamma are lost entirely. The exported content reflects the 'Present Mode' of the Gamma deck, not the 'Edit Mode.' Other visual features, such as gradient headings, often fail to convert correctly and may default to a single flat color because PowerPoint's gradient rendering engine differs from Gamma's web-native CSS rendering. Users have also reported issues like word duplication in exported text boxes. Due to these conversion problems, the exported .pptx file almost always requires manual cleanup. Users commonly report spending 15 to 30 minutes per deck adjusting misaligned elements, correcting text formatting, and resizing objects to make the presentation presentable. To mitigate some of these problems, it is recommended to use the 'Traditional' page style setting within Gamma before exporting. In practical terms, the PowerPoint export feature is best utilized as a means to create a static backup for offline viewing or to extract text content. It is not suitable for workflows that require a fully functional, high-fidelity, editable PowerPoint presentation. The optimal use of Gamma remains presenting directly from a web browser to leverage its full interactive and visual capabilities. In conclusion, while Gamma does offer a .pptx export option, it serves more as a static representation of the content rather than a seamless, editable equivalent of the original dynamic presentation.