---
title: "Configuring input parameters for a PowerPoint template"
slug: "configuring-input-parameters-for-an-powerpoint-template"
tags: ["enterprise addin", "partner", "task"]
updated: 2025-07-01T09:29:57Z
published: 2025-07-02T07:05:08Z
canonical: "help.dox42.com/configuring-input-parameters-for-an-powerpoint-template"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.dox42.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Configuring input parameters for a PowerPoint template

You can define input parameters in the data map of your PowerPoint template. An input parameter allows the user to specify one or more parameters before generating a document. For example, you could configure an input parameter `EnterID` so that users can enter the ID of an employee whose information should be included in the generated document.

## Steps

1. Open your PowerPoint template.
2. Go to the **dox42** ribbon and select **Data Map.**

![Menu options for generating and managing data in the dox42 application interface.](https://cdn.document360.io/3acc69da-1de2-431d-95a6-08ae83717b4a/Images/Documentation/Bildschirmfoto 2025-05-20 um 09.32.36.png)

**dox42** ribbon in PowerPoint
3. The **Data Map Designer** window opens.

![Data Map Designer interface showing various data source options for integration.](https://cdn.document360.io/3acc69da-1de2-431d-95a6-08ae83717b4a/Images/Documentation/Bildschirmfoto 2025-04-07 um 10.44.58.png)

**Data Map Designer** window
4. Select **Input Parameter**.
5. In the **Input Parameter name** text field enter a name for the parameter, for example `EnterID`*.*
6. Optional: In the **Comment** text field enter a call-to-action text. For example: `Enter the employee's ID:` .
7. From the **Input type** dropdown select the desired entry:

In this example, we use **Text** as input type.
  - **Text:** The user can enter text.
  - **Select from Values:** The user can select one dropdown entry. You enter the values for the dropdown.
  - **Select from Data Source:** The user can select one dropdown entry. You select the data source and values from the data source for the dropdown.
8. In the **Default Value** text box enter the ID of a sample record. You can use this sample ID when you [test the generation](/v1/docs/generating-a-document-for-testing) within your add-in.

> [!WARNING]
> Important
> 
> We recommend you to always use the ID as an input parameter as it is a unique identifier. For example, as soon as there are two data entries with the same name, the ID is the only possibility for the dox42 Add-In to tell these data entries apart and generate correct documents.

![Input parameter form for entering employee ID and related options.](https://cdn.document360.io/3acc69da-1de2-431d-95a6-08ae83717b4a/Images/Documentation/Bildschirmfoto 2025-06-30 um 14.50.30.png)

**Input Parameter** window
9. Select **OK**. The input parameter is added to the data map.

![Data sources menu showing Excel data source and input parameters for employee list.](https://cdn.document360.io/3acc69da-1de2-431d-95a6-08ae83717b4a/Images/Documentation/Bildschirmfoto 2025-06-30 um 16.24.07.png)

Input parameter in data map
10. Define a filter with a data source. For more information, see this [video tutorial](https://www.dox42.com/Resources?filter=.tutorialvideo&search=%2FPowerpoint+add-in%3A+from+zero+to+hero%2Fi) from minute 19:15.
11. Select **File > Save**.
12. Save the Excel template.

## Result

You have configured an input parameter. When you [generate](/v1/docs/generating-a-document-for-testing-in-powerpoint) the document, you will now see the configured dialog before the document generation starts.

![Input field for entering employee ID with action buttons for cancel and generate.](https://cdn.document360.io/3acc69da-1de2-431d-95a6-08ae83717b4a/Images/Documentation/Bildschirmfoto 2025-06-30 um 14.51.27.png)

**Enter Input Parameter** dialog in PowerPoint