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PPT/PDF to video
Step 1: Navigate to PDF to Video
Log in to HeyGen and go to the Avatar tab on the homepage. Click PDF to Video.
Step 2: Choose your starting point
You will see two options:
- Upload a Presentation — use this if you already have a PowerPoint or PDF file ready
- Generate a New Presentation — use this if you do not have a file or your existing deck needs a visual refresh
If uploading an existing file, follow Steps 3–4. If generating a new presentation, skip to Step 5.
Step 3: Upload your file
Select ‘Upload a Presentation’ and choose your file. Keep the following in mind:
- Maximum file size is 50MB. If your file exceeds this, you will see an error prompting you to reduce it
- Speaker notes as script and importing slide content as editable elements are only available with PPT or PPTX files, not PDF
Choose your avatar in advance. It will appear as a circular overlay in your scenes. You can also replace your file from this screen.
Step 4: Configure presentation and script settings
Choose your presentation and script settings, then click Create Video to proceed into editing.
Step 5: Generate a new presentation
Select Generate a Presentation. You can either:
- Describe your presentation using a text prompt
- Upload a document (PDF or DOCX only)
For the best results, be specific in your prompt. Include:
- What the presentation is about
- Who it is for
- The tone you would like
- How detailed it ought to be
- What outcome you want viewers to leave with
Use the example prompts on screen for inspiration.
Step 6: Select your avatar
After clicking Continue, select your avatar. It will appear as a circular overlay in the bottom right-hand corner of every scene. You can go back and swap your avatar or refine your prompt at any time.
Step 7: Configure generation settings
Before generating, adjust the following controls to shape your presentation:
- Text usage — choose how text from your file is handled: Generate, Condense, or Preserve
- Images — decide whether to keep existing images or generate new ones
- Slide count — choose how many slides HeyGen should create
- AI script — switch on Generate Script with AI to automatically create narration
- Text density — control how much text appears on each slide
- Audience — tailor the presentation for a specific group
- Tone — set the overall tone and delivery style
- Language — choose the output language
Once satisfied, click Continue. HeyGen will take a few minutes to generate your presentation.
Step 8: Open in AI Studio
When generation is complete, click Edit in AI Studio.
Step 9: Refine your slides
In AI Studio, customise each slide before exporting:
- Move or resize text, images, shapes or graphics
- Replace backgrounds, edit titles, and adjust formatting
- Swap image backgrounds for a different one if required
Note: full slide editing is only available if you have used an editable template.
Step 10: Edit your script
Each slide has its own script segment. Script Segment 1 corresponds to Slide 1, Segment 2 to Slide 2, and so on. For each segment you can:
- Rewrite the narration
- Adjust pacing or fix tone
- Add pauses
- Upload or record your own audio
- Change the voice completely
Step 11: Adjust your avatar
At any point you can:
- Switch to a bespoke or public avatar
- Switch avatars mid-project
- Adjust avatar placement to suit your layout
Step 12: Export your video
When you are satisfied with your slides, script, and avatar, export your video. Your presentation is now a professional video, ready to deliver your message with impact.
