Gamma.app turns a text prompt into a polished presentation in under a minute. If you have never used it before, this tutorial walks you through every step — from your first deck to a clean, shareable export.
Step 1: Sign up (free)
Go to gamma.app and click Start for free. Sign in with Google or email. You get 400 AI credits immediately — enough for roughly 10 full presentations.
No credit card is needed. The free plan lets you create, edit, present, and export.
Step 2: Create a new presentation
From the dashboard, click Create new and choose Generate (AI prompt). You have four options:
- Generate from prompt — describe what you want in plain language
- Paste in text — drop an outline, notes, or article and let AI structure it
- Import file — upload a PDF, PPTX, or Word doc for AI to redesign
- Import from URL — paste a webpage link
For your first deck, use Generate from prompt. Example:
"10-slide investor pitch for a sustainable coffee startup. Include market size, problem, solution, traction, team, and financial projections. Professional, modern design."
Step 3: Review the AI outline
Gamma proposes card titles and key points before generating the full deck. This is your chance to:
- Add, remove, or reorder cards
- Tweak bullet points
- Set the number of cards (8-20 is the sweet spot)
Editing the outline is free and dramatically improves the final result. Click Continue when ready.
Step 4: Pick a theme
Browse Gamma's theme gallery or customize colors and fonts. On paid plans, you can import your brand kit (logo, colors, fonts) for automatic consistency.
Tip: preview the theme on your actual content before committing.
Step 5: Generate
Click Generate and Gamma builds the full presentation — text, images, layouts, and smart formatting. This takes 10-30 seconds and consumes roughly 40 credits.
Step 6: Edit and refine
Click any card to edit text, swap images, or change layouts. Key editing features:
- Drag and drop to rearrange cards
- Smart layouts — click a card and choose from timeline, comparison, grid, or other structures
- AI chat (Gamma Agent on 3.0+) — type natural commands like "make this card more visual" or "add a comparison table"
- Image generation — Gamma can generate or suggest images for any card
Manual text edits are free. AI regeneration costs credits, so edit by hand when possible.
Step 7: Present or share
- Present mode — full-screen presentation with speaker notes
- Share link — anyone with the link can view (analytics track opens)
- Embed — drop the deck into Notion, a website, or an LMS
Step 8: Export
Go to Share, then Export. Choose:
- PDF — best visual fidelity, not editable
- PowerPoint (.pptx) — editable but some animations and fonts may shift (see our export quality guide)
- PNG images — one image per card
On the free plan, all exports include a "Made with Gamma" watermark. It appears in the bottom-right corner of every slide or page.
Step 9: Remove the watermark (free)
The watermark is a separate object in the file — not burned into your content. Remove it in seconds:
- Open the PPTX watermark remover or PDF watermark remover
- Drop in your export
- Download the clean file
Processing happens in your browser. Your file is never uploaded to a server. For details, see our complete watermark removal guide.
Tips to make your credits last
- Write a detailed prompt — one good generation beats three vague ones
- Edit the outline before generating (free, saves credits)
- Edit text manually after generating (free) — only use AI regeneration when the layout needs to change
- Avoid "improve" prompts — be specific about what to change
For a full breakdown: Gamma credits guide.
Gamma's limits (and workarounds)
| Limit | Free plan | Workaround |
|---|---|---|
| AI credits | 400 lifetime | Earn more via referrals |
| Watermark on exports | Yes | Remove for free |
| Custom brand kit | No | Use theme customization |
| PPTX export quality | Some layout/font shifts | Export tips |
Frequently asked questions
Is Gamma free to use? Yes. The free plan gives 400 AI credits, unlimited manual editing, and full export capability. The only limitation is the watermark on exports, which is removable for free.
How many presentations can I make for free? Roughly 10 full presentations with light editing. See our credits guide for exact costs per action.
Can I use Gamma on my phone? Yes. Gamma works in any mobile browser and has a native iOS app. Viewing and presenting work great on mobile; editing is easier on desktop.
What is the best export format? PDF for visual fidelity, PPTX for editability. Both can be cleaned of the watermark in seconds. See our export quality comparison.