think-cell is made by and for tech experts
At think-cell, we understand that great products require expertise, dedication, and time. We build software for real users, and the code you write will be used by professionals around the world.
- A wide array of extremely challenging C++ development tasks and an international team of brilliant minds.
- A working environment that makes this team stay and grow. Plus, support for relocation.
- No scheduled meetings to make sure that every detail of your solution is perfect.
- Lifestyle-friendly working hours, no deadlines, no overtime.
Who we work for:
About us
think-cell is a software company based in Berlin, Germany, developing graphics products. More than 35,000 companies and 1,300,000 users worldwide rely on our software every day because we make creating PowerPoint presentations easier, faster, and more enjoyable.
As a highly profitable company, we don’t have to compromise on code quality or elegance and go the extra mile in developing sophisticated algorithms. Owned and managed by seasoned computer scientists, think-cell offers a work environment that attracts exceptional developers and makes them want to stay. Our general tech team brings together engineers working across: C++ developers, AI engineers, web developers, test engineers, reverse engineers, and support engineers.
About our software
Our focus is on business slides because they offer great potential for automation of the layout tasks traditionally performed by PowerPoint users themselves.
Here are some highlights of what we've done:
Language
- Everything we do is C++. Even our customer portal is written in C++. There's some Assembler glue code where necessary, and our build scripts are written in Python, but other than that, think-cell is all about C++.
- We closely track the latest versions of our compilers, Visual C++ and Xcode, so we can always use the latest C++ standard features as soon as they become available.
- We fund the working group for programming languages of the German Institute for Standardization (DIN). Some of our employees are members of this committee and vote in the international standardization process ISO / IEC C++.
- We're an official sponsor of the Standard C++ Foundation, which promotes international standards for C++.
Library
- We use Boost throughout our codebase—for example, Boost.Spirit for parsing—while increasingly extending and replacing parts of Boost with our own in-house solutions.
- We have our own range library, in the same spirit as Boost.Range or Eric Niebler’s range-v3, but we go further, for example, by unifying internal and external iteration. We gave a talk about it, and most of the code is public.
- We develop our own cross-platform library to support macOS and Windows with a single code base.
- We have our own reference-counting and persistence libraries to save and restore whole object trees.
- We have an extensive bug-reporting infrastructure. Assertions and error checks stay in the release code, and our software automatically reports bugs to our server. The server analyzes the bug, categorizes it, and files it in a database that all Developers can access.
Algorithms
- think-cell was founded on the idea of an algorithm for automatic slide layout, and we're still on an exciting journey towards that ambitious vision. You can see our most recent release in action!
- We developed a new algorithm for automatic point cloud labeling that allows labels to be positioned away from the actual points.
- We developed a new algorithm for automatic column chart labeling.
- We're working with the linear solver CLP to make his simplex code faster for our kinds of problems.
- We developed many generic data structures that aren't in C++ or Boost, such as partitions.
- Our software not only produces charts, it can also read them off print and digital images. For our chart recognition tool, we rely on OpenCV and the Leptonica Image Processing Library.
Reverse engineering
We have a dedicated team that focuses on reverse engineering with the IDA from Hex-Rays to achieve things that aren’t possible through the documented Microsoft Office API.
We've written what's probably the best function-hooking engine out there. Each time our software starts, we patch the Microsoft Office executables in memory. Rather than hard-coding patch addresses, we search for small chunks of assembly code to protect against minor changes in the executables.
How our customers use our software
Our customers love our product since we save them a lot of time
Gantt charts you can create in PowerPoint
Ensure maximum clarity in your project management reporting.
- Show project status with data-driven elements like Harvey balls and checkboxes.
- Choose your timescale and add activity bars and milestones that connect directly to the calendar.
- Add or remove items and the chart adapts automatically to maintain readability.
Waterfall charts without workarounds
Create waterfall charts to show how different drivers contribute to an overall change. Industry standard for EBITDA bridge and P&L statements.
- Display multiple series with stacked segments.
- Include totals and subtotals that calculate automatically.
- Add segments that cross below the baseline.
Chart annotations for data-driven stories
Highlight key insights with a range of auto-calculated enhancements that are positioned perfectly for best practice chart layouts.
- Use labels and legends for clearer data communication.
- Add CAGR arrows that automatically update when your chart changes.
- Show your audience what matters with value lines and difference arrows.
think-cell Library for the assets you need
Start building faster with the perfect foundation for your business presentations.
- Quickly access all your favorite slides, images and presentation resources.
- Draw on over 250 business templates so you never start from a blank slide.
- Find exactly what you need with slide-level search and powerful filters.
Automated Mekko charts
Build Mekko charts to show data in two dimensions, using column width for total category sizes and height for proportions.
- Choose from unit axis or percentage axis.
- Avoid manual workarounds as column widths are calculated automatically.
- Combine smaller segments to ‘Other’ to reduce noise.
Smart text boxes for professional layouts
Use smart text boxes that automatically form optimized layouts so you can stop worrying about the size and alignment of your slide elements.
- Focus on writing content rather than arranging objects.
- Combine smart text boxes to quickly create tabular structures.
- Make edits and add elements without breaking your slide.
Data automation that gives you full control
Link any content from a cell in Excel to charts or any other object in your PowerPoint presentation.
- Choose between automatic and on-demand updates to stay in control and maintain full data consistency.
- Move, rename or email your Excel files and the links to your presentation will stay intact.
- Integrate data from other sources like Tableau or populate templates with think-cell’s API.
Chart scanner to pull data from images
Instantly convert flat images into fully-functional, data-driven think-cell charts.
- Take a column or bar chart from any source and replicate it in your presentation.
- Capture all chart values and category labels.
- Edit, annotate, and adjust styling as you can with any other think-cell chart.
I was fascinated by think-cell’s intellectual energy from day one; after months it has reshaped how I think and grow, and I truly compare the team’s expertise and rigour to that of a top-level university.
It’s inspiring to work in a place where smart ideas matter more than titles, and collaboration drives every success.
Meet us at one of our events or read our developer blog
We love to interact and learn from other experts at one of our C++ events. Make sure you're there as well.
We are proud of what we achieved so far and openly share our findings. Feel free to take a look at our talks and publications.
You're more the reading type? Learn about all the C++ tricks from our own experts in our developer blog.
Join think-cell
think-cell is always looking for talented people to enrich our team and help shape our culture. Find the position that’s right for you.
