Sheet Validation Guide
Understanding how GoFixly validates your Excel content to create perfectly structured Word and PowerPoint presentations
How Validation Works
GoFixly automatically validates your selections to ensure they can be converted into professional Word and/or PowerPoint slides. The validation system checks that your content matches one of 15 predefined layout patterns.
Each layout pattern corresponds to a specific PowerPoint slide layout and requires a certain combination of content types. When your selections match a valid pattern, GoFixly generates slides with properly positioned content.
Valid Layout
Your content matches one of the 15 supported patterns and will generate properly formatted Word and/or PowerPoint slides.
Invalid Layout
Your content doesn't match any supported pattern. GoFixly will suggest which content types you need to add to create a valid layout.
Content Types
The five types of content that GoFixly can extract from Excel
Title
Header text that appears at the top of slides and sections
Examples:
- •Monthly Sales Report
- •Q4 Financial Summary
- •Product Performance Analysis
Comment
Rich text content with formatting for narrative and explanations
Examples:
- •Executive summary paragraphs
- •Key findings and insights
- •Detailed explanations of trends
Table
Structured data with preserved formatting, merged cells, and borders
Examples:
- •Financial statements
- •Performance metrics tables
- •Comparison matrices
Chart
Data visualizations exported as high-fidelity images
Examples:
- •Line charts showing trends
- •Bar charts for comparisons
- •Pie charts for distributions
Screenshot
Images and pictures embedded in your Excel workbook
Examples:
- •Product photos
- •UI screenshots
- •Diagrams and illustrations
15 Supported Patterns
To be valid, your selections must match one of these patterns
Comments Only
A slide with only text comments, ideal for executive summaries or narrative explanations.
Required Content Types:
Comments + Table
Combines text commentary with tabular data, perfect for explaining data insights.
Required Content Types:
Comments + Table + Chart
Comprehensive layout with narrative, raw data, and visual representation.
Required Content Types:
Table Only
Pure data display without commentary, suitable for appendices or data reference slides.
Required Content Types:
Table + Chart
Shows both raw data and its visual representation side by side.
Required Content Types:
Chart Only
Visual-first approach, emphasizing data visualization without supporting tables.
Required Content Types:
Comments + Chart
Pairs visual data representation with explanatory text.
Required Content Types:
Screenshot Only
Displays a single screenshot or image, useful for UI demonstrations or visual evidence.
Required Content Types:
Comments + Screenshot
Combines an image with descriptive or explanatory text.
Required Content Types:
Table + Screenshot
Shows data alongside a visual reference or screenshot.
Required Content Types:
Chart + Screenshot
Pairs a data visualization with a supporting image or screenshot.
Required Content Types:
Comments + Table + Screenshot
Comprehensive layout with narrative, data, and visual reference.
Required Content Types:
Comments + Chart + Screenshot
Combines explanatory text, data visualization, and a supporting image.
Required Content Types:
Table + Chart + Screenshot
Data-rich layout with raw data, visualization, and visual reference.
Required Content Types:
All Content Types
Maximum information density with all content types in a single slide.
Required Content Types:
Best Practices
- Start with a clear structure: Plan which layout pattern you need before selecting content in Excel
- Assign content types: Make sure every selection has a proper content type (Title, Comment, Table, Chart, or Screenshot)
- Check the Build tab: Use the preview to verify your layout is valid before generating the final presentation
- Follow validation messages: If you see an "Invalid Layout" warning, add the suggested content types to create a valid pattern
- Keep it simple: Start with simpler layouts (Comments Only, Table Only) before building complex multi-object slides
Technical Details
Validation Algorithm
The validation system analyzes your selections to determine which content types are present (Title, Comment, Table, Chart, Screenshot). It then checks this combination against the 15 predefined patterns to find a match.
Pattern Mapping
Each valid pattern maps to a specific Word and/or PowerPoint layout. This ensures content is positioned correctly according to Word and/or PowerPoint's built-in layout system.
Real-time Feedback
Validation happens automatically as you work. The Build tab shows whether your current sheet is valid and provides suggestions for missing content types if needed.
Missing Content Suggestions
If your layout is invalid, GoFixly analyzes what you have and suggests which content types to add to create a valid pattern. This helps you quickly fix validation issues.