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:
-
AI reads the structure
- Which template slide to use
- What content should go on this slide
- Source hints and context
-
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
-
AI generates content for each shape
- Writes text for text boxes.
- Creates data for tables.
- Generates chart data.
- Applies appropriate formatting.
-
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
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:
- Go back to Structure Phase.
- Adjust structure if needed.
- Click "Populate Slides" again.
- Wait for new population.
- 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
- Proceed to Refine Phase - Polish your presentation
- Learn about the Refinement Assistant - Master the refinement tools
- Commit and download - Finalize your presentation