Convert PowerPoint Presentations to XPS in Python

What this page is about

Convert PowerPoint PPT and PPTX presentations to XPS in Python using Aspose.Slides for Python via Java, with default or custom export settings.

Overview

Aspose.Slides for Python via Java allows you to convert PowerPoint presentations to XPS by saving a PPT or PPTX file in the XPS format. This article explains when XPS may be useful and shows how to export a presentation using either default settings or custom XpsOptions settings.

About XPS

XPS (XML Paper Specification) is an XML-based document format developed by Microsoft. It describes fixed pages, preserving the layout of text and graphics for viewing and printing with compatible software.

When to Use Microsoft XPS Format

Use XPS when a document workflow requires fixed-layout files for sharing or printing through XPS-compatible tools. Recipients need software that supports XPS. If your workflow requires PDF instead, see Convert PowerPoint to PDF.

Note

To try converting a PPT or PPTX presentation to XPS, use the free online converter.

Input PowerPoint presentation	Output XPS document

XPS Conversion with Aspose.Slides

Use the save method of the Presentation class with SaveFormat.Xps to export a presentation. You can use the default export settings or supply XpsOptions to customize the output.

Each example below starts the Java virtual machine if needed and releases the presentation after use. Replace the input filename with the path to your PPT or PPTX file.

Convert Presentations to XPS Using Default Settings

The following Python code converts a presentation to XPS using the default settings:

import jpype
import asposeslides

if not jpype.isJVMStarted():
    jpype.startJVM()

from asposeslides.api import Presentation, SaveFormat

presentation = Presentation("presentation.pptx")
try:
    # Save the presentation as an XPS document.
    presentation.save("output.xps", SaveFormat.Xps)
finally:
    presentation.dispose()

Convert Presentations to XPS Using Custom Settings

The following example uses XpsOptions.setSaveMetafilesAsPng to save metafiles as PNG images in the resulting XPS document:

import jpype
import asposeslides

if not jpype.isJVMStarted():
    jpype.startJVM()

from asposeslides.api import Presentation, SaveFormat, XpsOptions

presentation = Presentation("presentation.pptx")
try:
    xps_options = XpsOptions()
    xps_options.setSaveMetafilesAsPng(True)

    # Save the presentation with the custom XPS settings.
    presentation.save("output_custom.xps", SaveFormat.Xps, xps_options)
finally:
    presentation.dispose()

FAQ

Can I save XPS to a stream instead of a file?

Yes. The Presentation.save method has overloads that accept a Java output stream. With Python via Java, use a compatible Java stream through JPype, such as a Java byte-array output stream, to keep the exported data in memory.

Are hidden slides included in XPS output?

Hidden slides are excluded by default. To include them, set XpsOptions.setShowHiddenSlides to True before saving.

Are animations and slide transitions preserved in XPS?

No. XPS contains fixed pages, so the exported slides do not play animations or transition effects.