If you’re in sales or sales ops, you know the pain: Salesforce is a goldmine of data, but turning that soup of numbers into a killer sales deck? Not so easy. And if your team uses Prezi for presentations, you’re probably wondering how to get those Salesforce insights out of the CRM and onto slides that don’t put people to sleep.
This guide demystifies the process—step by step. You’ll learn how to get your Salesforce data into Prezi, organize your slides so they make sense, and avoid the common headaches that come with mixing sales data and presentation software. If you want to stop fiddling with exports and start actually closing deals, keep reading.
Step 1: Understand What Data You Actually Need
Before you start exporting anything, get clear on what you want to show. Salesforce holds a ridiculous amount of information, but most of it doesn’t belong in a sales deck. Here’s how to keep it focused:
- Stick to the essentials: Pipeline summaries, recent wins, key metrics, and relevant case studies.
- Don’t dump raw reports: No one wants to see a wall of tiny numbers. Summarize and visualize.
- Custom views help: Set up Salesforce reports that pull just what you need (opportunity stages, monthly revenue, win rates, etc.).
Pro tip: Talk to your sales reps or managers. Ask what they actually use in meetings. You might be surprised by how little data makes a difference.
Step 2: Export the Right Salesforce Data
Salesforce doesn’t have a magic “Export to Prezi” button. Here’s the practical way to get your data out:
A. Use Salesforce Reports for Export
- Create or customize a report in Salesforce with only the fields you need for your slides.
- Run the report and use the “Export” button at the top right.
- Choose format: Export as Excel (XLSX) or CSV. Google Sheets works too if your org is all-in on Google Workspace.
What works:
- Exporting as Excel or Google Sheets gives you the most flexibility.
- Charts in Salesforce reports can be screenshot for quick visuals.
What doesn’t:
- Exporting massive data dumps “just in case.” You’ll waste time cleaning things you’ll never use.
- Hoping Salesforce’s default visuals will look good in Prezi. They won’t.
Step 3: Clean and Visualize Your Data
Now you’ve got your data file—great. But raw exports are ugly and confusing. Spend a few minutes making things clear:
- Clean up columns: Delete anything extra. Rename headers so they’re readable.
- Highlight key numbers: Use bold or color to call out wins, trends, or red flags.
- Build simple charts: Bar graphs, pie charts, and line charts work best. Stick to what tells the story.
Tools that help:
- Excel/Google Sheets for quick charting.
- Canva or PowerPoint for more polished charts (export as image files for Prezi).
Don’t overthink it:
- Skip the 3D graphs and animations. They distract more than they impress.
- If you’re not sure what chart to use, default to a bar chart. It almost always works.
Step 4: Bring Your Data into Prezi
There’s no direct Salesforce-to-Prezi integration as of mid-2024. That means you’ll need to import your cleaned-up visuals manually. Here’s how:
A. Prepare Your Visuals
- Save your charts and graphs as image files (PNG or JPG).
- If you need to show a table, take a screenshot (crop out extra stuff).
B. Add Visuals to Your Prezi
- Open your Prezi project or create a new one.
- Use the “Insert” menu to add images—your charts, screenshots, etc.
- For key stats, try Prezi’s text and shape tools. Big numbers in big fonts work well.
What works:
- Using Prezi’s zoom and pan features to focus on one data point at a time.
- Breaking up data across multiple “frames” or sections to avoid overwhelming your audience.
What doesn’t:
- Trying to copy-paste Excel tables directly. They’ll look terrible and be unreadable.
- Overloading one slide with too much info. Less is more.
Step 5: Organize Your Slides for Sales Enablement
This is where Prezi shines—if you use it right. The goal isn’t to cram in as much as possible, but to tell a clear, logical story that helps sales.
A. Map Out the Flow
- Start with context: Who’s the audience? What’s their pain point?
- Show the data: Use your best chart or stat right after the intro.
- Tell the story: Use each slide (or Prezi “frame”) to answer a question or address an objection.
- End with action: What do you want them to do next? Keep this clear.
B. Use Prezi’s Features Wisely
- Prezi’s zooming can make your data feel interactive—use it to highlight key metrics.
- “Path” your slides so the flow makes sense. Don’t jump randomly around the canvas.
- Group related data together. For example, all pipeline metrics in one section, customer stories in another.
Pro tip:
- Run through your Prezi as if you’re a prospect. If you get lost or bored, so will they.
Step 6: Polish and Test Your Prezi
Don’t skip this part. Even small tweaks make a big difference in how your data lands.
- Check for typos and bad crops. Sloppy slides kill credibility.
- Test on the actual device you’ll use. Some images look fine on a monitor, but weird on a projector or tablet.
- Practice your transitions. Prezi’s motion can be slick or distracting. Make sure it adds, not subtracts.
What to ignore:
- Overly complex templates. Simple wins, especially with data.
- Stock images or cheesy icons. Real numbers, clear visuals—that’s enough.
Step 7: Keep It Updated (Without Losing Your Mind)
Salesforce data changes constantly. Here’s how to stay sane:
- Set a schedule: Update your Prezi weekly or monthly, not every time a deal closes.
- Save a template: Build a “master deck” in Prezi. Each time you update, swap out just the images/charts.
- Delegate if possible: If you’re not the data person, see if Sales Ops can export the latest numbers for you.
Pro tip:
- Don’t promise “real-time” data in your slides. It’s almost never worth the hassle, and nobody expects it.
Honest Take: What Works, What Doesn’t
What works: - Focusing on the few numbers that matter. - Using Prezi’s visuals to make data less boring, not more complicated. - Regularly updating, but only as often as your sales cycle demands.
What doesn’t: - Trying to automate everything end-to-end. You’ll end up spending more time debugging than selling. - Overloading slides with data because “someone might ask.” If it’s not in the top 3 questions, leave it out.
Wrap-Up: Keep It Simple, Iterate Often
Importing and organizing Salesforce data in Prezi takes a little elbow grease, but it’s not rocket science. Start with the basics, don’t overload your slides, and focus on what actually helps close deals. As you get feedback, tweak your process—don’t expect to nail it on the first try.
The best sales decks are the ones people actually use. Keep it tight, keep it clear, and don’t be afraid to throw out what isn’t working.