> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.smaq.io/documentation/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.smaq.io/documentation/get-started/tutorials/generate-your-first-report.md).

# Generate your first report

SMAQ's Report AI reads a dashboard, generates a written narrative for each chart, and arranges everything into a slide deck you can edit and export.

### Prerequisites

* A project with at least one dashboard built (see [Build your first dashboard](/documentation/get-started/tutorials/build-your-first-dashboard.md)).
* Editor or Owner role.

***

### Step 1 — Configure the source dashboard

The report is generated from the **current state** of the dashboard — applied filters, selected date range, hidden/shown items. Get it right before you generate:

1. Open the dashboard.
2. Set the date range to what you want the report to cover (e.g. "Last 30 days" or a fixed custom range).
3. Apply any global filters (region, channel, campaign, etc.).
4. Hide any charts you don't want in the report by toggling them off in Edit mode.

### Step 2 — Pick a report theme (optional)

By default the report uses your project's default report theme. To customize:

1. Go to **Settings → Report Theme**.
2. Either upload a PowerPoint template (.pptx) and SMAQ will extract the style, or pick from the built-in themes.
3. Save.

Future reports will use this theme by default. You can also override per-report from the report page.

See [Report themes](/documentation/features/reports/report-themes.md) for the full theme workflow.

> **\[Screenshot needed]** Report Theme settings tab with a custom uploaded template and the preview pane visible.

### Step 3 — Generate the report

1. Back on the dashboard, click **Generate Report AI** in the dashboard header.
2. A progress overlay shows the AI working through the charts.
3. When done (usually 60 seconds depending on the content of the dashboard), you'll be redirected to the report page.

<figure><img src="/files/qbHcv4RnS6ANSFni7MhQ" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/LyuFEpkGuBZe5HSNnwJy" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

.

### Step 4 — Edit the report

The report opens in the report editor. You can:

* Edit titles, body text, and section headings.
* Reorder slides by dragging.
* Delete slides you don't need.
* Add new sections or text blocks.
* Re-run AI on a specific slide if the narrative needs another pass.

<figure><img src="/files/E8FIMWDPzu1f0mtBof6z" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Step 5 — Export to .pptx

1. Click **Export** in the top-right.
2. Choose **PowerPoint (.pptx)**.
3. The file downloads to your machine. Open it in PowerPoint, Keynote, or Google Slides — the layout is preserved.

<figure><img src="/files/xGfqjckv9BQuMJuPR9en" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Tips

* **Use clear chart titles** on the source dashboard. The Report AI uses the title as anchor context — vague titles produce vague narratives.
* **Date range is everything.** A report for "Last 7 days" reads completely differently from one for "Last 90 days." Pick deliberately.
* **Re-generate, don't rebuild.** If the dashboard changes, click Generate Report AI again — it overwrites the previous report. Faster than editing slide by slide.

### What's next

* [Reports overview](/documentation/features/reports.md) — list view, scheduling, additional export formats.
* [Generate report from dashboard](/documentation/features/reports/generate-from-dashboard.md) — the deeper feature reference.