Gamma

Gamma enables users to share presentations as web-native interactive decks by publishing them as live, responsive webpages accessible via a unique URL, rather than distributing them as static files. This approach is fundamental to the platform's design, which treats each presentation as a standalone web application. When a user finalizes a presentation, they can use the 'Publish' function to make it available on the web. This generates a shareable link that can be distributed to viewers, who can then access the content directly in any modern web browser without needing to download files or install special software. Because the presentation is a live webpage, any updates or edits made by the creator are reflected in real-time for anyone viewing the link, ensuring that the audience always has access to the most current version. This contrasts sharply with traditional formats like PowerPoint (PPTX) or PDF, where updated versions must be re-exported and redistributed. A key component of this web-native experience is Gamma's extensive support for embedded interactive media. The platform allows users to embed a wide variety of third-party content directly into the presentation cards. Supported media types include videos from platforms like YouTube, Loom, and Vimeo; design files from Figma; collaborative whiteboards from Miro; and animated images from GIPHY. Furthermore, Gamma supports the embedding of live data and business intelligence dashboards from sources such as Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel, Airtable, and Power BI. This allows for the creation of dynamic presentations where data visualizations and reports update automatically as their source data changes. Interactive forms from Typeform and Jotform, as well as social media feeds from X (formerly Twitter) and audio from Spotify, can also be integrated. This capability transforms the presentation from a passive viewing experience into an interactive one. Viewer access and security are managed through granular permission settings. When sharing a link, the creator can assign different levels of access: 'View' (read-only), 'Comment' (allowing viewers to leave feedback), and 'Edit' (granting full collaborative rights). Viewing a public link does not require a Gamma account. For enhanced security, paid plans (Pro and Ultra) offer features such as password protection for shared links and the ability to remove the 'Made with Gamma' branding, providing a more controlled and professional viewing experience. Workspace permissions also allow for organized collaboration and access management within teams. The primary technical limitation of this sharing model is its dependency on an active internet connection. Since the presentation is a live webpage that streams content and interactive elements, offline access is not supported. Viewers must be online to load and interact with the deck. Another significant consideration is export fidelity. While Gamma offers options to export presentations to PDF and PPTX for offline use or compatibility with other systems, this process strips the deck of its core advantages. All interactive and embedded elements, such as videos, live data dashboards, and forms, are converted into static images or placeholders. The export process, particularly to PPTX, is often imperfect and can lead to layout shifts and formatting errors, a known 'Achilles' heel' of the platform. Finally, while Gamma presentations can be embedded into other websites using an iframe, this is subject to standard web security policies like X-Frame-Options and Content-Security-Policy (CSP), which may restrict where and how the content can be displayed. In conclusion, Gamma's sharing mechanism is built around distributing a live URL to a web-native, interactive deck. This method facilitates real-time updates, rich media embedding, and robust analytics tracking. The main trade-offs for this dynamic experience are the requirement for an internet connection and the significant loss of functionality and fidelity when exporting to traditional, static file formats.