Case Study in Progress: How ThinkAi Is Automating Survey Data to PowerPoint for an Irish Research Team

Imagine spending hours copying numbers from Excel into PowerPoint. Slide after slide. Chart after chart. That was the reality facing one of Ireland’s most respected research firms—until they reached out to ThinkAi.

Today, we’re working with their in-house team to develop a bespoke AI-powered system that automates the entire process—turning complex crosstab data into branded, presentation-ready charts in minutes.

This isn’t about replacing analysts. It’s about amplifying their work so they can focus on insights, not formatting.

The Problem: A Manual Workflow That No Longer Works

When your business depends on data, presentation is everything.

This client regularly produces national survey findings covering topics like:

• Inflation and cost of living
• Regional demographic trends
• Generational views on health, housing, and politics

They collect robust data using Excel crosstabs segmented by gender, age, region, class, and more. But visualising that data for presentations? That’s where things got messy.

Their analysts had to:

• Read through dense Excel files
• Determine chart types (bar, stacked, grid, etc.)
• Manually input data into PowerPoint
• Apply branding (colours, fonts, layout) for each chart

Multiply that process by 80+ slides per report, and you’ve got a serious time drain.

The Vision: Data to PowerPoint in Minutes—Not Hours

The team came to ThinkAi with a clear brief:

“We want to automate how we turn crosstab Excel data into branded PowerPoint slides—charts included. We want speed, flexibility, and accuracy.”

Here’s what we proposed:

• A smart parsing system to detect question types and chart logic
• Dynamic chart creation tailored to different question formats
• Seamless integration with PowerPoint templates
• Future-proofing with conversational querying (ask your data questions)

Our Solution (So Far): Layered Intelligence, Irish Insight

We’re building the system in live collaboration with their data team. Here’s how it’s shaping up.

1. Excel Parser & Classifier

The system scans survey outputs to:

• Identify demographic variables (e.g. Male/Female, ABC1/C2DE)
• Classify questions: single-code, multi-select, grids
• Extract base sizes, percentages, top-box scores, and means

This classification forms the foundation for visual output.

2. Chart Generator (In Development)

Depending on question structure, our system:

• Picks the right chart style (bar, stacked bar, grid)
• Applies brand colours, fonts, and layout rules
• Generates editable PowerPoint charts (not static images)

We’re also adding logic to handle exceptions—like missing data, very small sample sizes, or overlapping categories.

3. Template-Driven PowerPoint Output

The final product slots perfectly into the client’s own branded deck, including:

• Slide titles pulled from Excel
• Consistent visual hierarchy
• Auto-populated data tables and annotations

The result? A full deck, presentation-ready, with zero manual copying.

What Makes This Uniquely ThinkAi

We’re not just building a tool—we’re co-creating a solution with our client’s analysts.

• Human-AI synergy: Analysts still guide the narrative. The AI handles the repetitive legwork.
• Built for Irish data teams: We understand how national surveys are structured here—quota groups, tracker waves, and branded PowerPoint standards.
• Scalable for growth: Whether it’s a one-off poll or a five-year tracker, the system adapts.

What’s Next: Natural Language Data Queries

We’re already exploring the next layer: conversational analysis.

Imagine asking:

• “Compare Dublin vs Munster for concern about energy prices”
• “Show me all 55+ responses to Q1 in grid format”

And instantly getting back a chart or visual. That’s the future we’re building.

Why This Matters for Irish Research Teams

If you or your team still spends hours copying numbers into slides, you’re not alone.

But you don’t have to work that way anymore.

AI isn’t here to take over your job—it’s here to take care of the parts that slow you down. With ThinkAi’s automation tools, Irish analysts can move faster, present better, and unlock deeper insights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to Cut Hours from Your Data Workflow?

ThinkAi is helping Irish research teams streamline how they present their findings. If you’re ready to ditch the manual process and get your time back, we’d love to talk.

Get In Touch Today To Learn More