# Using multiple templates

You may have a scenario where you want to build a PowerPoint using slides from multiple template PowerPoints. 

To do this, you have to:

1. **Attach Files and/or Provide Template URLs:**

   * **File Attachment:** Attach your template PowerPoint files as `File` attachments in the `POST` request, using the parameter name `files`.

   ![](https://1155212587-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-Mgoqdluo05I2RXHZpTr-887967055%2Fuploads%2FaKIdni4AyYutLkQBsMhO%2Fmultiple-files.jpg?alt=media\&token=e0d19a5d-b175-4fc7-88c0-6463ca21ce6f)

   * **Template URLs:** You can also use URLs for templates stored online, such as in Google Drive or OneDrive, which provide direct download access.
2. **Define Templates in Your JSON Payload:** Add a `template_list` parameter in your JSON payload, as shown below. The `template_list` should contain an entry for each template file, with a unique `template_id` and the name of each template file. Each `template` name must exactly match the filename of the corresponding "files" parameter sent in the form.

```json
{
   "presentation":{
      "template_list":[
         {
            "template_id":1,
            "template":"template-1.pptx"
         },
         {
            "template_id":2,
            "template":"template-2.pptx"
         },
         {
            "template_id":3,
            "template":"template-3.pptx"
         }
      ]
      ....
      
```

3. **Assign Template IDs to Slides:** In the JSON payload, specify a `template_id` for each slide to indicate which template file to use. Each `slide` object should include a `slide_index` and the `template_id` for the template it should follow.

```json
"slides":[
   {
      "template_id":1,
      "slide_index":0,
   ....   
```

#### Important Note

You cannot use both a single template file and multiple templates together. The following example demonstrates incorrect syntax:

```json
//This syntax is not allowed.
{
   "presentation":{
      "template":"template.pptx",
      "template_list":[
         {
            "template_id":1,
            "template":"template-1.pptx"
         },
         {
            "template_id":2,
            "template":"template-2.pptx"
         },
         {
            "template_id":3,
            "template":"template-3.pptx"
         }
      ],
      ....
```

Sample JSON payload:

```json
{
  "presentation": {
    "export_version": "Pptx2010",
    "template_list": [
      {
        "template_id": 1,
        "template": "template-1.pptx"
      },
      {
        "template_id": 2,
        "template": "template-2.pptx"
      },
      {
        "template_id": 3,
        "template": "template-3.pptx"
      }
    ],
    "slides": [
      {
        "template_id": 1,
        "type": "slide",
        "slide_index": 0,
        "shapes": [
          {
            "name": "Chart 5",
            "data": [
              [
                "Total",
                "Male",
                "Female"
              ],
              [
                "Read a printed newspaper",
                "Visited a newspaper website",
                "Read a printed magazine",
                "Read a digital magazine"
              ],
              [
                43.15,
                44.13,
                42.22
              ],
              [
                41.36,
                44.02,
                38.83
              ],
              [
                25.39,
                23.69,
                26.99
              ],
              [
                5.39,
                7.37,
                3.52
              ]
            ]
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "template_id": 2,
        "type": "slide",
        "slide_index": 0,
        "shapes": [
          {
            "name": "Chart 7",
            "data": [
              [
                "Total",
                "Male",
                "Female"
              ],
              [
                "Read a printed newspaper",
                "Visited a newspaper website",
                "Read a printed magazine",
                "Read a digital magazine"
              ],
              [
                43.15,
                44.13,
                42.22
              ],
              [
                41.36,
                44.02,
                38.83
              ],
              [
                25.39,
                23.69,
                26.99
              ],
              [
                5.39,
                7.37,
                3.52
              ]
            ]
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "template_id": 3,
        "type": "slide",
        "slide_index": 0,
        "shapes": [
          {
            "name": "Chart 5",
            "data": [
              [
                "Total",
                "Male",
                "Female"
              ],
              [
                "Read a printed newspaper",
                "Visited a newspaper website",
                "Read a printed magazine",
                "Read a digital magazine"
              ],
              [
                43.15,
                44.13,
                42.22
              ],
              [
                41.36,
                44.02,
                38.83
              ],
              [
                25.39,
                23.69,
                26.99
              ],
              [
                5.39,
                7.37,
                3.52
              ]
            ]
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}
```