Get Paragraph Bounds from Presentations in C++

Overview

This article explains how to get the bounds, size, and coordinates of paragraphs in Aspose.Slides. It shows how to retrieve a paragraph rectangle from an ITextFrame by using IParagraph::GetRect, how to get paragraph coordinates inside a table cell text frame, and highlights important details such as measurement units, the effect of text wrapping on bounds, pixel conversion, and effective paragraph formatting values.

Get Rectangular Coordinates of a Paragraph

Use IParagraph::GetRect to get the bounding rectangle of a paragraph.

auto presentation = System::MakeObject<Presentation>(u"Shapes.pptx");
auto slide = presentation->get_Slide(0);
auto shape = System::ExplicitCast<IAutoShape>(slide->get_Shape(0));
auto paragraph = shape->get_TextFrame()->get_Paragraph(0);
auto rectangle = paragraph->GetRect();

presentation->Dispose();

Get the Size of a Paragraph Inside a Table Cell TextFrame

To get the size and coordinates of an IParagraph in a table cell text frame, use IParagraph::GetRect. The returned rectangle is relative to the table cell text frame, so add the table position and cell offset when you need slide-level coordinates.

The following example gets paragraph bounds inside a table cell and draws rectangles on the slide to visualize those bounds:

auto presentation = System::MakeObject<Presentation>(u"source.pptx");
auto slide = presentation->get_Slide(0);
auto table = System::ExplicitCast<ITable>(slide->get_Shape(0));
auto cell = table->get_Row(1)->idx_get(1);

auto cellX = table->get_X() + cell->get_OffsetX();
auto cellY = table->get_Y() + cell->get_OffsetY();
auto paragraphs = cell->get_TextFrame()->get_Paragraphs();

for (const auto& paragraph : paragraphs)
{
    if (paragraph->get_Text().IsEmpty())
    {
        continue;
    }

    auto paragraphRectangle = paragraph->GetRect();
    auto paragraphRectangleX = paragraphRectangle.get_X() + cellX;
    auto paragraphRectangleY = paragraphRectangle.get_Y() + cellY;

    auto paragraphBoundsShape = slide->get_Shapes()->AddAutoShape(
        ShapeType::Rectangle,
        paragraphRectangleX,
        paragraphRectangleY,
        paragraphRectangle.get_Width(),
        paragraphRectangle.get_Height());

    paragraphBoundsShape->get_FillFormat()->set_FillType(FillType::NoFill);
    paragraphBoundsShape->get_LineFormat()->get_FillFormat()->get_SolidFillColor()->set_Color(System::Drawing::Color::get_Yellow());
    paragraphBoundsShape->get_LineFormat()->get_FillFormat()->set_FillType(FillType::Solid);
}

presentation->Save(u"output.pptx", SaveFormat::Pptx);
presentation->Dispose();

FAQ

In what units are paragraph coordinates measured?

They are measured in points, where 1 inch equals 72 points. This applies to all coordinates and dimensions on the slide.

Does word wrapping affect a paragraph’s bounds?

Yes. If ITextFrameFormat::set_WrapText is enabled for the ITextFrame, the text breaks to fit the area width, which changes the paragraph’s actual bounds.

Can paragraph coordinates be reliably mapped to pixels in the exported image?

Yes. Convert points to pixels using this formula: pixels = points x (DPI / 72). The result depends on the DPI chosen for rendering or export.

How do I get the “effective” paragraph formatting parameters, taking style inheritance into account?

Use the effective paragraph formatting data structure; it returns the final consolidated values for indents, spacing, wrapping, RTL, and more.