Where can I learn more about the PowerPoint 2010 file format?

Question

Where can I find the PowerPoint file format definition, like the header/XML/directory structure?

Answer 1

PowerPoint 2010 uses three primary markup languages - PresentationML, DrawingML and PowerPoint 2010 Extentions. The first two are part of ISO/IEC 29500:2008 specs, the last one isn't.

But in all cases with and above PowerPoint 2007, the document structure (i.e. what XML and other files go where in a .pptx and how they relate) is an implementation of the Open Packaging Convention. For details, go to the section PresentationML document structure of the Open XML Explained e-book. For 2010-specific extensions, this document lists them: PowerPoint Extensions to the Office Open XML File Format.