PowerPointWriter allows you to insert images in data markers. Images can be inserted using the image modifier.

Using the Image Modifier

The image modifier can be used to insert images into a data marker.

If dimensions are not specified, the image will take on the dimensions of the text box. Dimensions are specified in inches.

To insert an image into a data marker using the image modifier:

  1. Create or open a PowerPointTemplate
  2. Add the image modifier in parenthese to the data marker in which you want to insert the image. For example, change %%=Company.Logo to %%=Company.Logo(image)
  3. If desired, set the 'image' modifier's sizing mode

Using the Image modifier without dimensions

The image modifier can be used without dimensions either alone or with a scaling mode.
If the image modifier is used by itself, for example %%=Company.Logo(image), the image will maintain it's original dimensions.
If the image modifier is used with a scaling mode, %%=Company.Logo(image(1)), the image will be scaled accordingly and sized to fit the containing text box.
The scaling mode can have the following values:

Value

Meaning

1

The image will always be the width and height specified regardless of its natural size.

2

The image will always be enlarged or shrunk to fit within the bounds specified by width and height but it will keep its natural aspect ratio.

3

The image will be scaled down to within the bounds specified by width and height but it will keep its natural aspect ratio.

Using the Image modifier with dimensions

The image modifier can take parameters specifying the image dimensions. Again, this can be done with or without the scaling mode.
The syntax for specifying an images dimensions without the scaling mode is image(width, height). For example %%=Company.Logo(1,2). All dimensions are in inches.
To use a scaling mode, add it as the first parameter in your modifier. For example, the data marker %%=Company.Logo(image(3,1,2)) would use the third scaling value.
The scaling mode can have the following values:

Value

Meaning

1

The image will always be the width and height specified regardless of its natural size.

2

The image will always be enlarged or shrunk to fit within the bounds specified by width and height but it will keep its natural aspect ratio.

3

The image will be scaled down to within the bounds specified by width and height but it will keep its natural aspect ratio.

Images from databases

If you are using a database as a data source, the column that corresponds to the data marker containing the image must be of the type BLOB("Image" in SQL Server). If the data source is an array of objects, the value that corresponds to the data marker containing the image should be a simple byte array.

Sample code

//The ReadAllBytes method can be used to create a byte array from an image filepath.
byte[] imgArray = File.ReadAllBytes(@"C:\image.png");

//create an object array of values to be populated
object[] valuesArray = {imgArray};

//create a string array of column names.
//the field names must match the data marker column names in the template.
string[] colNamesArray = {"Logo(image(1,2,2))"};

//set the data source
pptt.BindData(valuesArray, colNamesArray, "Company",pptt.CreateDataBindingProperties());

pptt.Process();

'The ReadAllBytes method can be used to create a byte array from an image filepath.
Dim imgArray as Byte() = File.ReadAllBytes(@"C:\image.png")

'create an object array of values to be populated
Dim valuesArray as Object() = new Object() {imgArray}

'create a string array of column names.
'the field names must match the data marker column names in the template.
Dim colNames = New String() {"Logo(image(1,2,2))"}

Dim DataProps As DataBindingProperties = pptt.CreateDataBindingProperties()

pptt.BindData(valuesArray, colNamesArray, "Company",pptt.CreateDataBindingProperties());