## Introduction

This article will guide you through the process of converting an existing presentation file, such as a PowerPoint, into an interactive online course. You will learn how to upload your file, let the system convert it into editable screens, and then publish your new course.

When creating courses in Coassemble, there are 4 options you can choose from:

* Transform a document
* Generate using a prompt
* Start from scratch
* Convert a presentation

This article covers the **Convert a presentation** method, specifically focusing on how the upload → convert → edit → publish workflow works.

## What file types can I convert using the ‘Convert a presentation’ option?

Currently, Coassemble supports the following file types for presentation conversion:

* .ppt (Microsoft PowerPoint 97–2003 Presentation)
* .pptx (Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation – current standard)
* .key (Apple Keynote Presentation)

If your presentation is saved in one of these formats, you’ll be able to upload it directly to Coassemble and begin the conversion process. If your file is in a different format (such as PDF or Google Slides), we recommend exporting it as a .pptx file before uploading.

## When would I choose to convert a presentation?

You might choose to convert a presentation when your content has already been carefully crafted, reviewed, and approved—especially in cases where technical accuracy or compliance is critical. This method is ideal for situations where the exact wording needs to remain intact, such as product training, legal or policy overviews, medical or scientific briefings, or presentations that have gone through multiple stakeholder reviews. By converting a presentation, you can turn this finalized content into a course without rewriting or reformatting the core information, ensuring consistency across teams and learners.

## What can I expect when converting my presentation to a course?

Unlike the **Transform a document** option, which summarizes and reformats your content, **Convert a presentation** is designed to maintain the textual and visual integrity of your original content. Coassemble will preserve your exact wording and include your chosen images, ensuring a faithful representation of your presentation content.

However, it’s important to note that Coassemble’s formatting options differ from PowerPoint or Google Slides. While your text and images will be retained, the layout may not match your original slides exactly—particularly for complex slide designs.

## How can I get the best result when converting a presentation?

For best results, we recommend making sure your presentation is neatly formatted before uploading. Clear slide structure will help minimize the need for editing once the course is generated and improve readability for your learners.

## How to create an online course from a presentation file

Follow these steps to convert your presentation into a course and publish it.

### Step 1: Begin on the main dashboard

From your Coassemble dashboard, select the **Convert a presentation** option to start the process.

### Step 2: Upload your presentation file

In the upload area, click on the **Add file** button. If you need to check which file formats are accepted, click the **What file types can I use?** link. Supported formats include **.ppt, .pptx, and .key**.

Choose the presentation file you want to convert from your computer's file browser.

### Step 3: Wait for upload and processing

Wait for the system to complete the file upload and processing. Once the file is uploaded, you’ll see a confirmation indicating that it’s processing. This may take a short time depending on the file size.

### Step 4: Create your course

Once your document has been successfully uploaded, a **Create course** button will appear. Click it to proceed.

The tool will automatically convert your presentation slides into individual, editable screens within the course editor. If your presentation includes a large number of slides, Coassemble may suggest ways to divide the content and create a better experience for your audience.

### Step 5: Choose whether to include presentation images

If prompted, select whether you’d like to include any images from your original presentation.

* If you select **Yes**, you’ll then be able to choose which images to keep.
* Once you’re done selecting, click **Import images** to include them in your course.

### Step 6: Customize your course content

You can now customize your course. In the course editor, you can:

* Click on the course title to edit it.
* Modify the content on any of the screens created from your slides.
* Adjust the design and screen layout.
* Add quizzes or interactive elements.

### Step 7: Publish your course

After you've made your desired changes, click the **Publish** button located in the top-right corner.

A confirmation window will appear. Click **Publish** again to make your course live.

### Step 8: Preview the final result

To see the final result, click the **Preview** button to experience the course as a learner would. This allows you to review the flow and appearance before sharing it with your audience.

## What happens next?

After your course has been generated and published, you can:

* Edit the course content to improve clarity or flow
* Adjust the design and screen layout
* Add or refine quizzes and interactive elements
* Republish your course at any time to push updates live

Converting a presentation is a quick way to bring existing training materials to life—and with a few edits, you’ll have a polished, fully functional online course ready to go.

## Common questions

### Is it possible to upload a PowerPoint presentation exactly as it is? I don't want the presentation reformatted.

When you choose to convert a PowerPoint in Coassemble, we’ll preserve the text and keep the overall look as close as possible to your original slides. That said, Coassemble is intentionally designed to create courses that are responsive on any device, so layouts and formatting may be adjusted to fit different screen sizes. Unlike PowerPoint, we don’t provide the same level of control over fonts and formatting—this is a deliberate choice to ensure your course looks great and functions seamlessly whether it’s viewed on desktop, tablet, or mobile.

### What’s the difference between Convert a presentation and Transform a document?

**Transform a document:** This option is part of our onboarding experience for new users. It’s designed to take your existing documents (such as Word or Google Docs) and turn them into an interactive, learner-friendly course. The tool follows learning-design best practices by breaking up long sections of text, creating clean screens with manageable amounts of information, and applying engaging formatting.

**Convert a presentation:** This option is available once you’re inside the platform. It brings your PowerPoint or Keynote content into Coassemble *word for word*. However, because Coassemble uses its own formatting system to maintain accessibility and mobile responsiveness, the import will not replicate your original slide layout or images exactly.

In short:

* Transform a document = Converts documents into a well-designed, interactive course following learning-design standards.
* Convert a presentation = Imports the text from your slides with minimal changes, but layout and images may not come across exactly as they appear in the original file.




Convert a presentation into an online course

Connecting to Google Drive or OneDrive

Your knowledge

Release notes

Getting help: How Coassemble support works

General

Getting started: Common questions

What is a collection?

How to log in to your account

What is a screen?

What tone should I select?

Coassemble terminology explained

How do I sign up for a Coassemble account?

Can I use Coassemble as an LMS?

What file types can I transform into a course?

Accessing the login page

Getting to know your Coassemble workspace

Build the business case for Coassemble

What is Coassemble?

Getting started

Configuring your email preferences

Folders

Transfer ownership of your workspace

Common questions: Workspaces

Organizing courses with folders

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Brand kit: A complete guide

Managing logos

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How to apply Brand voice when generating courses

Using the Brand kit

How to edit video details

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Transforming a document to a course

Common questions: Course creation

Upload your videos to your course

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AI image generation

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Generate a screen with AI

Refine with AI

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Difference between transforming a document and converting a presentation

Generate a course with AI

Narration

The Finish screen

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How to preview and review a course

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How to import a course from a template link

How to share your courses

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Convert a presentation into an online course

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Convert a presentation into an online course

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