You can find the powerpoint format at wotzit:
http://www.wotsit.org/download.asp?f=powerpoint97
Haven't looked into powerpoint much so I don't have much in the way of specifics. I know it is supposed to be similar to the escher file format. That can be found here:
http://chicago.sourceforge.net/devel/docs/escher/
The approach I would take:
1. Build some sort of viewer (like BiffViewer but for power point).
2. Implement as much as you can according to the specification.
3. Use your viewer to pick apart the structure of existing files.
4. Use some sort of diff tool to see what happens when you do various things to a powerpoint file.
Once you've got a handle on how the file format hangs together try and build something out of low level records. Frequently office applications can be _very_ picky about how things are structured. You learn through a process of trial and error what works.
The open office sources may be of some help. They are somewhat difficult to read however. Once you've got enough low level records implemented and know how to string them together you'll want to start looking at creating an API. I suggest if you can to create a model that supports reading and (re)writing. It's more work than just reading or just writing but you'll find it difficult to evolve the code later unless you plan for that now.
Regards,
Glen
At 05:30 PM 6/07/2004, you wrote:
Dear All
I am using POI for some time and am very much interested to understand the development strategy as I need to export data not only to Excel but PowerPoint also from my application. This problem (export to PowerPoint) just gave me an idea to develop a tool for exporting to PowerPoint from an java application. Can you people give me a hint to understand how can I get PowerPoint file format so that I can develop a tool in java to export data to PowerPoint from any application. I know there is so much hard work involved and I am ready to take the pain .so Any help from will be appreciated. I am looking forward to learn from your experience.
Thanks and Regards Neeraj
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