Introduction
Already have content created elsewhere? Instead of starting from scratch, you can import documents, presentations, and webpages directly into Gamma and turn them into fully editable gammas.
With Gamma 5, import has been rebuilt from the ground up. Imported decks keep their original layouts and structure, or you can ask Gamma to improve them with updated styling and layouts.
🌀 Insight: You can import from a wide range of sources, including files, webpages, Google Slides links, and public Notion docs.
What Can I Import?
PowerPoint files: .pptx and .potx. Older .ppt files aren't supported, so save them as .pptx first.
Word (.docx) files and PDFs.
Google Slides: export the presentation as a .pptx file and upload it, or set the link so anyone with it can view, then paste it into the prompt box.
Excel (.xlsx) and CSV files: attach them in the prompt box, and Gamma can use the data in your gamma.
Webpages: paste a link.
Public Notion docs: paste a link, or copy and paste the content directly.
When you attach files in the prompt box or the agent chat, you can add up to 250 MB and 50 files per message, and up to 1 GB per chat. There's no limit on the number of slides.
How to Import Content into Gamma
There are two ways to bring content into Gamma, depending on what you want.
Option 1: Import Your File As-Is
Use this to bring your file into Gamma with its content, layouts, and structure intact.
On your Gamma dashboard, click Import below the prompt box.
Click Add a file and upload a PPTX, DOCX, or PDF file.
Click the arrow to import.
Once your import is done, Gamma asks what's next. You can save it as a workspace template, use it as a template to generate something new, or keep editing.
Option 2: Use Your Content to Create Something New
Use this when you want Gamma to restyle, rewrite, or build something new from your content.
In the prompt box on your Gamma dashboard, click +, then choose:
Upload files and photos: to upload a file from your computer.
Connectors: to pull in content from a connected app, like Microsoft 365.
Add a prompt describing what you want. You can also paste a link or text directly into the prompt box.
Click the arrow to start.
💎 Pro Tip: Click + > Add a template before generating to build your content in a specific look.
Keeping Your Original Design
In Gamma 5, PowerPoint and PDF imports keep your original layouts, design, and structure. Everything stays fully editable.
If you upload a file through + and your prompt doesn't make clear whether you want to keep your design, a short form appears asking you to choose. Select the preserve option to keep your slides as close to the original as possible.
🔷 Note: Gamma's classic generator imports only the text from your file, not its design or layouts. To keep your original design, import from your Gamma 5 home screen instead.
Controlling How Your Text Is Handled
In Gamma 5
Depending on what you add, Agent may ask what you'd like to do with your content, or it may go straight to building an outline. To control how your text is handled, say what you want in your prompt when you add your content. For example:
"Keep my text exactly as written. Don't add, remove, or reword anything."
"Condense this to the key points."
"Use this as source material to create something new."
If Gamma has already built an outline you don't want, message Agent before you click Generate and tell it how to handle your text.
In the Classic Generator
Click Use classic generator on your Gamma dashboard. After you paste in text or import a file, these options appear on the outline page before you click Generate:
Generate: Enhances your content by adding helpful details to improve clarity.
Condense: Shortens the content to make it more precise and direct, focusing on the key information.
Preserve: Keeps the content exactly as it is, maintaining all the original information without adding, removing, or rewording anything.
🔷 Note: The lock icon next to Preserve means your text will be locked in place, not that the option is restricted.
FAQs & Common Issues
Can I import a PowerPoint and reuse it as a template?
Yes. Click Import on your Gamma dashboard, then select Import a template under More options. This creates a reusable workspace template.
You can also save any imported file as a template afterward. When your import finishes, choose Save as a workspace template for future use.
To reuse only your fonts, colors, and logo, create a custom theme instead.
Why is my PowerPoint import taking so long?
Gamma rebuilds each slide into an editable layout, one slide at a time, so large or busy decks (lots of shapes, images, tables, or charts) take longer.
During busy periods, your import may wait in a queue before it starts.
If an import runs for more than about 35 minutes, it stops and Gamma lets you know. Try splitting the deck into smaller files.
Why does a font look different after importing?
If a font in your file isn't available, Gamma substitutes a similar one during conversion and tells you which font was replaced.
To change it, select your text, then click the font dropdown in the top toolbar and search for the font you want.
To use your original font, click Upload fonts at the bottom of the font dropdown.
Why did some of my charts import as images?
Most content imports as fully editable, but some charts arrive as static images.
You can still move, resize, and crop these images like any other image.
To make a chart editable, recreate it using Gamma's chart block and enter your data.
Can I download or reuse the images from an imported PowerPoint?
Yes, one image at a time. There's no option to download all the images from an imported deck at once.
To download an image, open the gamma and right-click the image. In a Gamma 5 gamma, choose Download as PNG. In a Gamma Classic gamma, choose Download image.
To reuse an image in another gamma, right-click it, choose Copy, and paste it into the other gamma. Or download it and upload it again.
Images from an imported deck aren't added to your Media library automatically. To reuse an image across your workspace, upload it to your Media library.
Something didn't import correctly. What can I do?
Try exporting your file as a .docx or .pptx file before importing.
If you're using your file as a source rather than importing it, you can copy and paste the content directly into Gamma.
My file uploaded, but it didn't import. Why?
You can attach up to 250 MB per message, but PDFs and PowerPoint files over 100 MB may upload and then fail to import.
Try compressing the file, or split it into smaller files and import them separately.
My Google Slides import isn't working. What can I do?
Make sure the link is set so anyone with it can view the presentation.
If it still doesn't work, export the presentation from Google Slides as a .pptx file and upload that instead.
Can I use an Excel (.xlsx) file to create a Gamma presentation?
Yes. Attach your .xlsx or .csv file in the prompt box or agent chat, and Gamma can read the data to build your gamma.
You can also paste data straight into a chart's data table.
Can I import Keynote (.key) or older PowerPoint (.ppt) files?
Not directly. Save or export the file as a PowerPoint (.pptx) file, then import the .pptx file into Gamma.
Are there other upload limits I should know about?
Media library uploads (images and videos): 200 MB per file.
Images: besides file size, images are capped at 50 megapixels (roughly 8000×6250). Larger images are rejected even if they're small in MB.
AI style reference images: 10 MB.