Report Generator: automation with YAML script

To create multiple slides simultaneously with different data from the controls, you can use a prewritten YAML script that is uploaded along with the PPT template in Report Generator.

How to create a YAML script

We recommend using text editors with syntax highlighting (for example, Notepad++). Create a new file and set the language (syntax) to YAML.

Note that for the script to work correctly, it’s important to follow the syntax and indentation rules. These indentations are generated using the TAB key on your keyboard.

In general, a short script looks like this:

The slide numbering must correspond to the PPT template, as it serves as the reference point in the code. However, the final number and order of slides after the export may (and most likely will) differ from the template.

1. Slides that do not contain variables and should be exported as-is are defined and listed in a line of code like this:
   - slides: [1, 2]
   These lines must be arranged in the correct order.

2. The sections of the script that handle displaying data based on control content begin with the
   - forcontrol line. What follows includes:

   1. alias: control ID
      the ‘control ID’ - automatically generated or manually specified - can be found beneath the control itself or at the top of the left menu panel when the control is selected.

      

   2. items [“option_label_1”, “option_label_2” ] (optional)
      in this line the specific control options involved in the generation are listed. If this line of code is missing, all control options will be included in the export.
      Note that the option labels in the code must exactly match those in the control. If there is a mismatch, you will receive an error notification while generating.

   3. subiterations:
-slides: [3, 4]
      the slide numbers corresponding to the templates for the listed control options. Only these slides will be included in the export, regardless of any others that may be present in the template.

Scripts for multiple controls

You can generate slides containing data based on the combined states of several controls (max 3). For instance, to create a separate slide for “women 30-40 years old, living in big cities,” the three controls - gender, age, and place of residence - would be coded together in the script. It enables report generation for each combination across these controls through an ‘AND’ logical expression, and as a result, a separate slide for each combination will be generated.

In this case, the code is structured like a tree, where each subsequent - forcontrol part is nested within the previous one under the subiterations: part, respecting tabbing.

To avoid excessive generation, you can also limit the number of options for each control by using items.

The script doesn't work with Proxy controls

Save and upload the script

After completing the script, save your file and upload it using the same pop-up window as for the PPT template.

The slide count is limited to 100 to ensure server stability.