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What is PowerPoint Presentation with Features & Examples?

PowerPoint is a presentation software developed by Microsoft, which allows users to create, edit, and deliver visually engaging slideshows, whether you're a student, professional, or simply curious, explore the power of Microsoft PowerPoint and learn how you can create impactful presentations effortlessly.

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According to Glassdoor , a PowerPoint designer's average salary in the UK is about £37,811 annually. Who knew there was big money in presentations alone? In this blog, you will learn What PowerPoint is, its key features, its benefits, and how to use it, as well as learn some tips for creating effective presentations. 

Table of contents      

1) What is PowerPoint?   

2) Understanding the PowerPoint interface   

3) Key features of PowerPoint  

4) How to use PowerPoint to create a presentation?  

5) Benefits of PowerPoint   

6) Tips for creating effective PowerPoint Presentations  

7) Alternatives to PowerPoint    

What is PowerPoint?  

PowerPoint is an essential multifunctional tool for making presentations which had been created by MS. As a part of the Microsoft Office Suite, it offers a toolbox to organise the presentation by using different tools and features to make it visually pleasant and attractive. MS PowerPoint gives the opportunity for the text, graphics, multimedia objects, and animation elements to be combined in one place to allow the users to present information in a more effective way.  

Evolution of PowerPoint  

In the course of time, PowerPoint has become a very functional tool to produce high-quality presentations Moreover, a secure system would be established to manage risks of data leakage or theft. First released in 1987 for Apple computers, it defies to the competition with its easy Graphical User Interface (GUIGUI)) and its large range of functions. With every new release, MS PowerPoint offered new functionality and boasted significant improvements, staying the wonder of the world of presentations.

Understanding the PowerPoint interface  

 The PowerPoint Program provides the presenter with an easy-to-use interface for designing and updating the presentation. It is important to master its main functions in order to conduct operations using this software with a level of proficiency.Here's a breakdown of the MS PowerPoint interface:   

1) Ribbon: The Ribbon is located at the top of the MS PowerPoint window and has several tabs which include Home, Insert, Design, Transitions, etc.

2) Slides pane: Slide pane which is positioned to the far left of the window, is the PowerPoint window. You will see there a collection of your slides examples (thumbnails) which enables you to adjust and customize them with greater ease. The floating pane of the editor lets you not only add, delete, duplicate, but also hide slides from there.

3)   Notes pane : The Notes pane is located below the Slides pane. It provides space for adding speaker notes or additional information related to each slide.    

4)  Slide area : The Slide area occupies the central part of the PowerPoint window. It displays the selected slide, where you can add and arrange content such as text, images, charts, and multimedia elements .    

5)  Task panes : Task panes are additional panels on the PowerPoint window's right side. They offer various functionalities such as formatting options, slide layouts, animations, etc. Task panes can be opened or closed based on your specific needs.   

Understanding the MS PowerPoint interface will help you navigate the software effectively and make the most of its features. Whether you are creating slides, adding content, or applying formatting, having a good grasp of the interface ensures a smooth and productive experience .  

Create impactful project timelines! Click to learn How to Make a Gantt chart in PowerPoint and impress with your project planning skills!

Key Features of PowerPoint  

When it comes to creating captivating and professional presentations, MS PowerPoint stands out as versatile and feature-rich software. Its array of tools and functionalities enables users to bring their imagination and ideas to life. Moreover, it also helps engage their audience effectively .    

From slide templates to multimedia integration, there are various Features of PowerPoint ; let's discuss some of them below.

1) Slide Templates : PowerPoint provides a collection of pre-designed templates that make it easy to create visually appealing slides.   

2)  Slide Master : The Slide Master feature allows users to define the overall layout, font styles, and colour scheme for the entire presentation .   

3)  Animations and transitions : PowerPoint offers various animation effects and slide transitions to add visual interest and captivate the audience .   

4)  Multimedia integration : Users can embed images, videos, and audio files directly into their presentations, enhancing the overall impact .   

5)   Collaboration tools : MS PowerPoint allows multiple users to work on a presentation simultaneously, making it ideal for team projects and remote collaboration .   

6) Presenter View : The Presenter View feature gives presenters access to speaker notes, a timer, and a preview of upcoming slides, enabling a seamless presentation experience .   

These features collectively contribute to PowerPoint's versatility and make it a powerful tool for developing engaging and impactful presentations.  

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How to use PowerPoint to create a presentation?   

Creating a presentation in PowerPoint is a straightforward process. Whether it's simple animations or explainer videos learning H ow to use PowerPoint is an extremely valuable skill. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to create a presentation:   

1)  Launch PowerPoint and choose a template or start with a blank slide. 

2)  Add slides by clicking "New Slide" or using the shortcut key (Ctrl + M). 

3) Customise slide content by entering text and inserting visuals.  

4)  Rearrange slides for a logical flow by dragging them in the slide navigation pane.  

5)  Apply slide transitions for visual effects in the "Transitions" tab.  

6)  Add animations to objects in the "Animations" tab.  

7)  Preview your presentation by clicking "Slide Show".   

8)  Save your presentation and choose a format (.pptx or .pdf).  

9)  Share your presentation via email, cloud storage, or collaboration tools.   

By following these steps, you can create a well-structured and visually appealing presentation in Microsoft PowerPoint. Remember to keep your content concise, use engaging visuals, and practice your presentation skills to deliver an impactful presentation .   

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Benefits of PowerPoint   

PowerPoint is a very popular presentation software and for a good reason. It offers numerous benefits for users, from easy collaboration to ease of use. These are some of the key benefits of PowerPoint.

1) Visual appeal : Microsoft PowerPoint allows you to create visually appealing presentations with its wide range of design tools and features. You can use templates, themes, and customisable layouts to make your slides visually engaging and professional .   

2)  Easy to use : PowerPoint has a user-friendly interface, making it accessible to users of all levels. The intuitive tools and straightforward navigation make it easy to create, edit, and deliver presentations efficiently .   

3)   Flexibility : PowerPoint provides flexibility in terms of content creation. You can include various types of content, such as text, images, charts, graphs, videos, and audio files, to enhance your message and engage your audience effectively.   

4)   Organisation and structure : PowerPoint offers features to help you organise and structure your content. You can create multiple slides, use slide masters for consistent formatting, and arrange the sequence of slides to create a logical flow .   

5)  Presenter tools : PowerPoint includes built-in presenter tools that aid in delivering presentations smoothly. You can use presenter view to see your notes and upcoming slides while your audience sees only the presentation. Additionally, features like slide transitions and animations add visual interest and help you control the flow of information .   

Land the job with ease! Learn how to ace your PowerPoint interview with tips to create slides that leave a lasting impression!

6)  Collaboration and sharing : PowerPoint allows for easy collaboration and sharing of presentations. Several users can simultaneously work on the same presentation, making it convenient for team projects. You can also share your presentations via email, cloud storage, or online platforms, ensuring easy access for viewers .   

7)   Integration with other tools : PowerPoint can seamlessly integrate with other Microsoft Office applications, such as Word and Excel. You can import data and charts from Excel or copy and paste content between different Office applications, saving time and effort .  

8)   Presenter-audience interaction : PowerPoint provides features that facilitate interaction between the presenter and the audience. You can include interactive elements like hyperlinks, buttons, and quizzes to engage your audience and make your presentations more dynamic.   

9)   Portable and accessible : PowerPoint presentations can be saved in various formats, such as .pptx or .pdf, making them easily accessible on different devices. This portability allows you to deliver presentations on laptops, tablets, or even projectors without compatibility issues .   

10)  Time and effort savings : PowerPoint simplifies the process of creating presentations, saving you time and effort. The pre-designed templates, slide layouts, and formatting options enable you to create professional-looking presentations efficiently .   

Keynote vs. PowerPoint : Discover which tool is best for your presentations! Click to compare features and make the right choice!

Tips for Creating Effective PowerPoint Presentations   

PowerPoint presentations can be powerful tools for communicating information and engaging an audience. Consider the following PowerPoint Tips to create effective presentations .

1) Simplicity is key : Keep your slides clean and uncluttered. Use concise bullet points and simple visuals to convey your message effectively .   

2)  Visuals matter : Incorporate relevant, high-quality visuals such as images, charts, and diagrams to enhance understanding and engagement .   

3)  Limit text : Avoid overwhelming your audience with excessive text on slides. Use brief phrases or keywords to communicate key points .   

4)  Choose legible fonts : Opt for clear and readable fonts that are easy to read, even from a distance. Maintain consistency in font styles throughout your presentation .   

5)  Consistent design : Maintain a consistent design theme, including colours, fonts, and layout, to create a visually appealing and professional presentation.   

6)  Emphasise important points : Use visual hierarchy techniques, such as font size, colour, and formatting, to draw attention to essential information .   

7)  Use transitions and animations sparingly : Incorporate slide transitions and animations thoughtfully, focusing on enhancing content and transitions without distracting the audience .   

8)  S lide notes for guidance : Utilise the slide notes feature to include additional details, explanations, or reminders for a well-prepared and confident presentation.   

9)  Practice and time yourself : Rehearse your presentation to ensure smooth delivery and stay within the allocated time. Practice helps you refine your content and delivery.   

10)  Engage the audience : Encourage audience participation through interactive elements, questions, or discussions to foster engagement and make your presentation more memorable.   

By implementing these tips, you can create effective MS PowerPoint presentations that capture attention, communicate information clearly, and engage your audience effectively.  

Google Slides vs. PowerPoint : Which is best for you? Click to compare features and choose the right tool for your next presentation!

Alternatives to PowerPoint  

Most of you are used to using PowerPoint for your presentation needs since it was the first option available to us through our academics. However, if you wish to check out alternative options to Powerpoint know if they work better for you, here are ten options that is worth a short: 

5) Slidebean

6) Zoho Show 

7) Google Slide 

9) Beautiful.ai

10) Microsoft Sway

Conclusion     

This blog walked you through What is PowerPoint and how it can aid you in curating compelling visual representations of the message you wish to get across. We discussed it features and the process of how you can create presentations on PowerPoint. Now take what you know and run with it explore your options with your templates and building new ones, let your creativity take its course. 

Learn how to create customised slide shows in MS PowerPoint with our Microsoft PowerPoint MO300 Training .  

Frequently Asked Questions

Well, making a presentation can be tricky business. Here are some of the common mistakes people make:

1) Adding too much text! The presentation needs to have brief and simple points you elaborate on in person. 

2) Bad colour schemes for template and font colour. Sometimes the clash of colour may make the text illegible. 

3) Too many elements! Crowding of elements may lose your audience’s attention.   

Yes, you most definitely can! You can use PowerPoint online with a Microsoft Office 360 plug in that allows you to use all Microsoft applications on your browser. 

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PowerPoint is a presentation program developed by Microsoft. It is included in the standard Office suite along with Microsoft Word and Excel . The software allows users to create anything from basic slide shows to complex presentations.

PowerPoint is often used to create business presentations, but can also be used for educational or informal purposes. The presentations are comprised of slides, which may contain text, images, and other media, such as audio clips and movies. Sound effects and animated transitions can also be included to add extra appeal to the presentation. However, overusing sound effects and transitions will probably do more to annoy your audience than draw their attention. (Yes, we have all heard the car screeching noise enough times for one lifetime.)

Most PowerPoint presentations are created from a template, which includes a background color or image, a standard font , and a choice of several slide layouts. Changes to the template can be saved to a "master slide," which stores the main slide theme used in the presentation. When changes are made to the master slide, such as choosing a new background image, the changes are propagated to all the other slides. This keeps a uniform look among all the slides in the presentation.

When presenting a PowerPoint presentation, the presenter may choose to have the slides change at preset intervals or may decide to control the flow manually. This can be done using the mouse , keyboard , or a remote control. The flow of the presentation can be further customized by having slides load completely or one bullet at a time. For example, if the presenter has several bullet points on a page, he might have individual points appear when he clicks the mouse. This allows more interactivity with the audience and brings greater focus to each point.

PowerPoint presentations can be created and viewed using Microsoft PowerPoint. They can also be imported and exported with Apple Keynote, Apple's presentation program for the Macintosh platform. Since most people prefer not to watch presentations on a laptop , PowerPoint presentations are often displayed using a projector. Therefore, if you are preparing a PowerPoint presentation for a room full of people, just make sure you have the correct video adapter.

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Sometimes abbreviated as PP or PPT , PowerPoint is a presentation program developed by Microsoft that creates a slide show of important information, charts, and images for a presentation. PowerPoint is frequently used for business and school presentations.

Where do you find or start PowerPoint?

• PowerPoint example.
• Benefits of PowerPoint.
• Related information.

If you have Microsoft PowerPoint or the entire Microsoft Office package installed in Microsoft Windows, you can find PowerPoint in your Start menu .

Realize that new computers do not include PowerPoint. It must be purchased and installed before it can run on your computer.

If you do not have PowerPoint and don't want to purchase Microsoft Office to get it, you can try using Google Slides , a free online presentation program similar to PowerPoint.

If PowerPoint is installed on your computer, but you can't find it in your Start menu, use the following steps to launch PowerPoint manually:

• Open My Computer .
• Click or select the C: drive . If Microsoft Office is installed on a drive other than the C: drive, select that drive instead.
• Navigate to the Program Files (x86) folder, then the Microsoft Office folder.
• If there is a root folder in the Microsoft Office folder, open that folder. Then open the OfficeXX folder , where XX is the version of Office (e.g., Office16 for Microsoft Office 2016). If there is no root folder, look for and open a folder with "Office" in the name.
• Look for a file named POWERPNT.EXE and double-click that file to start Microsoft PowerPoint.

Start PowerPoint without using a mouse

Follow these steps to launch PowerPoint without using a mouse.

• Press the Windows key .
• Type powerpoint .
• Select the PowerPoint entry in the search results using the arrow keys and press Enter to launch the PowerPoint application.

PowerPoint example

The picture below is an example of how Microsoft PowerPoint appears, with a red description in each major area.

PowerPoint slides may contain only text, or they can include pictures, videos, or animated text and images. Text may be formatted in the same ways as Microsoft Word , with custom color, size, and font type.

While the look and feel of PowerPoint has changed over the years, the functionality has remained mostly the same.

Microsoft PowerPoint files have the file extension .ppt or .pptx .

Benefits of PowerPoint

PowerPoint provides multiple benefits to users, including:

• It is widely used and considered the "standard" for presentation software. If you create a PowerPoint presentation, it's more likely to be easier for others to open and view.
• It includes many optional presentation features, including slide transitions, animations, layouts, templates, etc.
• It offers the option to export its slides to alternative file formats, including GIF (graphics interchange format) and JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) images, MPEG-4 video, PDF (Portable Document Format), RTF (rich text format), WMV (Windows Media Video), and PowerPoint XML (extensible markup language).

Related information

• How to create or add a slide in Microsoft PowerPoint.
• How to insert a picture in Microsoft PowerPoint.
• How to add a video to a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation.
• How to insert a sound file into a PowerPoint presentation.
• How to add or remove animations in a PowerPoint slide.
• How to start and stop a PowerPoint slide show.
• Microsoft PowerPoint help and support.
• Software help and support.

Business terms , CamelCase , Computer abbreviations , File viewer , Google Slides , Notes Pane , Office , Office 365 , Office Online , Presentation program , Productivity tools , Software terms , Transition

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Understanding What is PowerPoint: A Comprehensive Guide

Table of Contents

In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the world of PowerPoint, uncovering what it is and exploring its vast array of features and capabilities. PowerPoint is a presentation software that allows users to create visually engaging slideshows, making it an essential tool for professionals looking to effectively convey their ideas and engage their audience.

Key Takeaways:

• PowerPoint is a presentation software that enables users to create visually engaging slideshows.
• It offers a wide range of features, including templates, text formatting, visual enhancements, and transitions and animations.
• PowerPoint’s Slide Master feature ensures consistency and efficiency in creating presentation templates.
• Planning and practicing are vital steps in creating a successful PowerPoint presentation.
• Proper formatting and design can greatly enhance the visual appeal and clarity of PowerPoint slides.

Defining Powerpoint: An Overview of the Presentation Software

Powerpoint is a powerful presentation software that enables users to create visually appealing slideshows to effectively convey information. With its wide range of features and tools, Powerpoint is widely used in various professional settings, including business meetings, educational institutions, and conferences.

One of the key features of Powerpoint is its ability to create stunning slides through customizable templates, text formatting options, and visual enhancements. Users can choose from a variety of pre-designed templates or customize their slides according to their specific needs. Additionally, Powerpoint allows for easy incorporation of images, charts, and graphs to visually support the content.

Transitions and animations are another significant aspect of Powerpoint, enabling users to add movement and interactivity to their presentations. Users can create smooth transitions between slides, as well as animate individual elements within a slide to capture the audience’s attention and enhance engagement.

Furthermore, Powerpoint offers speaker notes functionality, allowing presenters to add notes and reminders for each slide. This feature aids in ensuring a smooth delivery and helps presenters stay on track during their presentation.

In summary, Powerpoint is a versatile presentation software that empowers users to create visually captivating slideshows. Whether it’s designing professional presentations from scratch, incorporating engaging transitions and animations, or leveraging speaker notes for a flawless delivery, Powerpoint provides a comprehensive suite of tools and features that make it an essential tool for effective communication.

Exploring Powerpoint Features: Enhancing Your Presentations

With an extensive range of features, Powerpoint empowers users to create captivating presentations through its diverse set of tools and functionalities. Whether you want to deliver a professional business pitch, showcase your creative portfolio, or educate and engage your audience, Powerpoint has got you covered.

One of the key features of Powerpoint is its extensive library of pre-designed templates. These templates provide a solid foundation for your presentation, saving you time and effort in creating a visually appealing layout. You can choose from a variety of themes, color schemes, and slide designs to match your content and create a cohesive visual experience for your audience.

In addition to templates, Powerpoint offers various text formatting options to help you make your content stand out. You can customize fonts, sizes, colors, and styles to ensure that your text is easily readable and visually impactful. With the ability to add bullet points, numbered lists, and even tables, you can effectively organize and present complex information with clarity.

To further enhance your slides, Powerpoint provides a range of visual elements and graphics. You can add images, shapes, icons, and charts to bring your content to life and make it more visually engaging. These visual enhancements help capture the attention of your audience and reinforce key messages in your presentation.

Table: Powerpoint Features

With all these features at your disposal, Powerpoint allows you to create dynamic presentations that leave a lasting impression. Whether you’re a student, professional, or entrepreneur, mastering Powerpoint can greatly enhance your communication skills and help you effectively convey your ideas to your audience.

Getting Started with Powerpoint: A Beginner’s Guide

If you are new to Powerpoint, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered with this beginner’s guide that will walk you through the process of creating your first presentation. Powerpoint is a widely used presentation software that allows users to create visually engaging slideshows to effectively convey their ideas and engage their audience.

To start using Powerpoint, you’ll need to have the software installed on your computer. Once you have Powerpoint open, you’ll be presented with a blank slide. This is where you can begin creating your presentation. You can choose from various templates, or start from scratch by selecting a blank slide.

Powerpoint provides a user-friendly interface with a toolbar at the top that contains all the tools you’ll need to create your presentation. You can easily insert text, images, shapes, charts, and more to customize your slides. To add text, simply click on the text box and begin typing. You can format the text, change fonts, colors, and sizes to suit your preferences.

To enhance your presentation, Powerpoint offers a range of features such as visual enhancements, transitions, and animations. These can be added to your slides to make them more dynamic and engaging. You can also utilize the speaker notes feature to add additional details or reminders for your presentation.

Table: Powerpoint Tutorials

By following this beginner’s guide and exploring Powerpoint’s features, you’ll soon become proficient in creating stunning presentations. Whether you’re a student, business professional, or public speaker, Powerpoint can help you effectively communicate your ideas and engage your audience. Now, let’s dive into the tutorial section to learn more about using Powerpoint.

Designing Stunning Slides: Formatting and Visual Enhancements

To create stunning presentations, it is crucial to master the art of designing slides that are visually engaging and effectively convey your message. PowerPoint provides a range of formatting and visual enhancement options that can elevate the impact of your slides.

One key aspect to consider is the layout and formatting of your text. Utilize different font styles and sizes to create hierarchy and emphasize important points. Use bullet points and numbering to organize information and make it easier for your audience to follow along. Remember to keep your text concise, using short phrases or keywords instead of lengthy sentences.

In addition to text formatting, PowerPoint offers a variety of visual enhancements. You can insert high-quality images, graphics, and icons to complement your content and make it more visually appealing. Consider using charts and graphs to present data in a clear and concise manner. These visual elements not only add visual interest but also help your audience understand complex information more easily.

Another way to enhance your slides is by using animations and transitions. PowerPoint allows you to add movement and visual effects to individual elements or entire slides. This can help grab your audience’s attention and guide them through your presentation. However, use animations and transitions sparingly and purposefully. Too many effects can distract from your message and make your presentation appear unprofessional.

By mastering the design and formatting features in PowerPoint, you can create slides that are not only visually stunning but also effectively communicate your ideas. Experiment with different layouts, color schemes, and visual elements to find a style that aligns with your content and engages your audience. Remember, the goal is to create a visually appealing presentation that enhances the impact of your message.

Adding Life to Your Presentation: Transitions and Animations

Dynamically engage your audience by incorporating seamless transitions and captivating animations into your Powerpoint presentations. These features not only enhance the visual appeal of your slides but also help to convey information effectively and maintain audience interest throughout the presentation.

Powerpoint offers a wide range of transition effects, allowing you to smoothly move from one slide to the next. Whether you prefer subtle fade-ins or more dynamic slide flips, Powerpoint has the perfect transition effect to suit your presentation style. By strategically adding transitions between slides, you can create a seamless storyline flow that keeps your audience engaged and focused.

Animations, on the other hand, bring your content to life by adding movement and interactivity to individual elements within your slides. From simple entrance animations that gradually reveal text or images, to more complex motion paths that guide the viewer’s attention, Powerpoint animations allow you to highlight key points and make your presentation more engaging.

Utilizing Transitions and Animations Effectively

• Keep it subtle: While transitions and animations can add flair to your presentation, it’s important not to overdo it. Use them sparingly and choose effects that complement the content rather than distract from it.
• Be consistent: Stick to a consistent transition or animation style throughout your presentation to maintain a professional and polished look. Inconsistent use of effects can be jarring for the audience.
• Practice timing: Make sure your transitions and animations are timed appropriately to ensure a smooth and seamless delivery. Practice your presentation to ensure that the timing aligns with your speaking points.

By incorporating transitions and animations into your Powerpoint presentations, you can captivate your audience and create a memorable visual experience. Remember to use these features strategically and in moderation to enhance your content and engage your viewers.

Perfecting Your Delivery: Speaker Notes and Presentation Tips

A polished delivery is key to a successful presentation. To engage and captivate your audience, it’s essential to leverage PowerPoint’s speaker notes and other valuable tips. Speaker notes serve as your guide, providing cues and reminders throughout your presentation. Here are some tips to make the most of this powerful feature:

• Keep it concise: Your speaker notes should contain key points and reminders, not a full script. Use bullet points or short phrases to keep them concise and easy to follow.
• Practice, practice, practice: Familiarize yourself with your slides and speaker notes by rehearsing your presentation multiple times. This will build your confidence and ensure a smooth delivery.
• Use visual cues: Incorporate images or icons in your speaker notes to prompt specific actions or emphasize important points. Visual cues can help you stay on track and engage your audience.
• Highlight transitions: Note any transitions or animations in your speaker notes. This will help you remember to pause or adjust your tone when these visual effects occur, creating a seamless and impactful presentation.

Remember, effective delivery goes beyond speaker notes. Here are a few additional tips to enhance your presentation:

• Speak clearly and confidently: Project your voice, maintain eye contact, and use appropriate gestures to engage your audience and convey your message with confidence.
• Utilize visual aids: Incorporate high-quality visuals, such as images, graphs, or videos, to support your key points and make your presentation more visually appealing.
• Engage the audience: Encourage audience participation through interactive elements, questions, or discussion points. This fosters engagement and keeps your audience actively involved throughout the presentation.

In summary, perfecting your delivery is crucial for a successful PowerPoint presentation. Leverage the speaker notes feature, practice your presentation, and follow these tips to captivate your audience, convey your message effectively, and leave a lasting impression.

Mastering Powerpoint: Understanding the Slide Master Feature

Discover the power of the Slide Master feature in Powerpoint, allowing you to effortlessly apply consistent formatting and design across all slides. The Slide Master acts as a template for your presentation, providing a centralized location to make global changes to the layout, font styles, color schemes, and other visual elements. By leveraging the Slide Master feature, you can save time and maintain a professional and cohesive look throughout your presentation.

One of the key benefits of using the Slide Master is the ability to create a unified theme for your slides. Rather than manually formatting each individual slide, you can make changes on the Slide Master, and those changes will be automatically applied to all slides. This ensures a consistent appearance and saves you the hassle of manually adjusting the design elements on every slide.

In addition to formatting, the Slide Master also allows you to insert placeholders for text, images, charts, and other content types. These placeholders act as pre-defined areas on each slide where you can easily add and update content. By utilizing placeholders, you can maintain a consistent layout throughout your presentation while still customizing the content on each slide.

Example of Slide Master Format in Powerpoint:

By mastering the Slide Master feature in Powerpoint, you can streamline the design process and maintain a consistent and professional look for your presentations. With its ability to apply global changes, insert placeholders, and define slide layouts, the Slide Master empowers you to create visually impactful presentations while saving time and effort.

Exploring Powerpoint Alternatives: Finding the Right Fit for You

While Powerpoint is widely used and trusted, there are other presentation software options available that might better suit your preferences and requirements. Whether you’re looking for more advanced features, a simplified user interface, or a specific focus on collaboration, exploring alternative options can help you find the perfect fit for your presentation needs.

One popular alternative to Powerpoint is Google Slides. As part of the Google Workspace suite, Google Slides offers seamless integration with other Google products, making it a convenient choice for those already using Gmail, Google Drive , and Google Docs. It also allows for real-time collaboration, enabling multiple users to work on a presentation simultaneously. With a wide range of templates and easy-to-use design tools, Google Slides is a user-friendly option for creating visually appealing slideshows.

If you’re looking for a more professional and polished presentation software, Adobe Spark might be the right choice for you. This software offers a selection of stunning templates and allows for easy customization of fonts, colors, and layouts. In addition, Adobe Spark provides access to a vast library of high-quality images and icons to enhance your slides. With its focus on creating visually captivating presentations, Adobe Spark is a great option for users who want to make a lasting impression.

Another popular alternative is Prezi, which offers a unique approach to presentations with its zooming and panning features. Instead of traditional slide transitions, Prezi allows you to create dynamic and interactive visual journeys. This can be particularly effective for storytelling or when presenting complex information. Prezi also offers a library of templates and a user-friendly interface, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced presenters.

Ultimately, the choice of presentation software depends on your specific needs and preferences. By exploring alternative options such as Google Slides, Adobe Spark, and Prezi, you can find a software that not only meets your requirements but also enhances your ability to create engaging and impactful presentations.

Planning Your Presentation: An Essential Step for Success

The success of a PowerPoint presentation heavily relies on proper planning – learn valuable tips and strategies to ensure your content is well-organized and impactful.

When it comes to planning your PowerPoint presentation, it’s crucial to start with a clear understanding of your goals and objectives. Define the purpose of your presentation and identify the key messages you want to convey to your audience. This will help you structure your content and keep your presentation focused.

Next, outline the main points or topics you want to cover in your presentation. Use bullet points or numbered lists to organize your ideas and create a logical flow. This will make it easier for your audience to follow along and understand your message.

By following these planning tips and strategies, you can create a well-organized and impactful PowerPoint presentation. Remember, proper planning sets the foundation for a successful presentation and enables you to effectively engage your audience.

Creating Engaging Slides: Tips for Content Creation

Effective content creation is crucial to capture and retain your audience’s attention throughout your PowerPoint presentation – discover valuable tips to achieve this goal.

1. Understand your audience: Before creating your PowerPoint slides, take the time to understand your target audience. Consider their level of knowledge, interests, and expectations. Tailor your content to resonate with them and address their needs.

2. Keep it concise: Avoid overwhelming your audience with excessive text on your slides. Use bullet points, short phrases, and impactful visuals to convey your message concisely. This approach helps your audience focus on key points and makes your presentation more visually appealing.

3. Use visuals strategically: Visuals play a vital role in engaging your audience and enhancing their understanding of your content. Incorporate relevant images, charts, graphs, and diagrams to support your message. Ensure that the visuals are clear, high-quality, and directly aligned with the information you are presenting.

4. Tell a story: Engage your audience by structuring your PowerPoint presentation like a captivating story. Start with a compelling introduction, build up the content systematically, and end with a memorable conclusion. This narrative approach helps create an emotional connection with your audience and keeps them engaged throughout.

Remember, effective content creation in PowerPoint is about delivering information in a visually appealing and engaging manner. By understanding your audience, keeping your content concise, using visuals strategically, and telling a story, you can create impactful slides that captivate your audience from start to finish.

Formatting and Design Best Practices for Powerpoint Slides

Adopting proper formatting and design practices is key to delivering a visually appealing and professional-looking PowerPoint presentation. In this section, we will explore best practices and design tips to help you create slides that captivate your audience and effectively convey your message.

1. Use consistent fonts and colors

When selecting fonts for your slides, choose a font that is easy to read and maintain consistency throughout the presentation. Stick to two or three fonts at most to maintain a cohesive look. Similarly, use a consistent color scheme that complements your content and enhances readability. Avoid using too many colors that may distract or overwhelm your audience.

2. Keep slide layouts clean and uncluttered

Avoid overcrowding your slides with excessive text or graphics. Use whitespace strategically to give your content room to breathe and create a visually pleasing balance. Break up text into bullet points or short sentences to make it easier to read and understand. Utilize visuals, such as images or icons, to augment your message and engage your audience visually.

3. Choose appropriate slide transitions and animations

Slide transitions and animations can add interest and engagement to your presentation, but it’s important to use them judiciously. Select transitions that are seamless and complement your content, rather than distracting from it. Use animations sparingly to highlight key points or to reveal information gradually, ensuring they enhance rather than overshadow your message.

Remember, the goal of formatting and design in PowerPoint is to support and enhance your content, not overshadow it. By following these best practices and design tips, you can create visually stunning slides that effectively communicate your message and leave a lasting impact on your audience.

Reviewing and Practicing: Fine-Tuning Your Presentation

Reviewing and practicing your PowerPoint presentation are essential steps to identify any areas for improvement and gain confidence in delivering your content. Taking the time to review your slides, content, and overall flow allows you to ensure that your message is clear, concise, and impactful. Practicing your presentation helps you become familiar with the material, allowing you to deliver it smoothly and confidently.

One effective way to review your presentation is to go through each slide systematically, checking for any errors or inconsistencies in your content. Pay attention to the visuals, ensuring they are visually appealing and support your message effectively. Additionally, review your transitions and animations to make sure they enhance rather than distract from your presentation.

Practicing your presentation is just as crucial as reviewing it. Start by rehearsing your content out loud, paying attention to your tone of voice, pace, and overall delivery. Consider recording yourself and watching the playback to identify any areas for improvement. You can also practice in front of a mirror or with a small audience to get valuable feedback and make necessary adjustments.

By dedicating time to reviewing and practicing your PowerPoint presentation, you can fine-tune your content, identify any areas for improvement, and deliver a polished and engaging presentation that leaves a lasting impression on your audience.

Delivering Your Presentation: Tips for a Professional Performance

Learn valuable tips and techniques to deliver a memorable and impactful PowerPoint presentation, leaving a lasting impression on your audience. A successful presentation goes beyond just the content on your slides. It involves effective delivery and engagement with your audience. Here are some key tips to help you deliver a professional and polished performance:

• Practice, practice, practice: Rehearse your presentation multiple times to ensure you are well-prepared and confident. Practice will help you become familiar with your content and delivery, allowing you to deliver a smooth and fluent presentation.
• Utilize visual aids: PowerPoint offers a range of visual enhancements, such as charts, images, and videos, to support your presentation. Use these visual aids strategically to amplify your message and engage your audience visually.
• Speak clearly and confidently: Pay attention to your tone of voice, volume, and pace when delivering your presentation. Speak clearly and project your voice to ensure everyone in the room can hear you. Maintain a confident demeanor to establish credibility.
• Connect with your audience: Engage your audience by making eye contact, using gestures, and involving them in your presentation. Encourage questions, and actively listen and respond to feedback. Creating a connection with your audience will help keep them engaged and interested in your message.
• Use effective body language: Be mindful of your body language during your presentation. Stand tall, maintain good posture, and use open and confident gestures. Avoid fidgeting or crossing your arms, as these can create barriers between you and your audience.

By incorporating these tips into your presentation delivery, you can ensure a professional and impactful performance that resonates with your audience. Remember, delivering a successful PowerPoint presentation is not just about the slides; it’s about how you deliver the content and connect with your audience.

In conclusion, Powerpoint is a versatile presentation software that offers a wide range of features and capabilities, empowering professionals to create visually engaging and impactful presentations. With its user-friendly interface and extensive tools, Powerpoint allows users to plan, create, and deliver presentations with ease and confidence.

From defining what Powerpoint is to exploring its various features, this comprehensive guide has provided valuable insights and tips to help users make the most of this powerful software. By understanding how to design stunning slides, add transitions and animations, and utilize the Slide Master feature, users can enhance their presentations and captivate their audience.

Furthermore, this guide has emphasized the importance of planning, practicing, and reviewing presentations for a seamless and professional delivery. By following best practices for content creation, formatting, and design, users can create visually appealing slides that effectively convey their message.

Powerpoint is not just a presentation tool, but a platform that enables professionals to showcase their ideas and engage their audience. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced user, mastering Powerpoint can greatly enhance your communication skills and elevate your presentations to the next level.

Is PowerPoint Included in Office365?

Yes, PowerPoint is indeed included in Office365. One of the notable advantages of using office365 is the comprehensive suite of applications it provides, including the widely-used presentation software, PowerPoint. With Office365, users can access and utilize PowerPoint’s features seamlessly, making it a valuable tool for creating and delivering impactful presentations.

Q: What is Powerpoint?

A: Powerpoint is a presentation software that allows users to create visually engaging slideshows.

Q: What features does Powerpoint offer?

A: Powerpoint includes various features such as templates, text formatting, visual enhancements, transitions and animations, speaker notes, and the Slide Master feature.

Q: What is the workflow for creating a Powerpoint presentation?

A: The workflow typically involves planning, creating slides, formatting and design, adding transitions and animations, reviewing and practicing, and delivering the presentation.

Q: How can Powerpoint help professionals?

A: Powerpoint is a powerful tool that helps professionals effectively convey their ideas and engage their audience.

• About the Author
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Mark is a senior content editor at Text-Center.com and has more than 20 years of experience with linux and windows operating systems. He also writes for Biteno.com

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What Is Microsoft PowerPoint and How Do I Use It?

Deliver professional-looking presentations for business or classroom

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Customizing PowerPoint Presentations

Where to find powerpoint, how to use powerpoint, collaborating with powerpoint, powerpoint competitors, what to know.

• PowerPoint is a standalone program, a subscription service, a website, and a mobile app.
• Use PowerPoint by creating and customizing presentations with text, images, and other graphics.
• PowerPoint is the most popular presentation software, but Google Slides and Apple Keynote are popular, too.

Microsoft PowerPoint creates slideshows suitable for projectors or big-screen TVs. Usually, a presenter speaks to the audience and uses the PowerPoint presentation to hold the listeners' attention and add visual information. However, some presentations are created and recorded to provide a digital-only experience. This article addresses PowerPoint 2019 and 2016, PowerPoint for Microsoft 365, PowerPoint 2016, and PowerPoint Online.

PowerPoint presentations output to photo albums—complete with music or narrations—shareable on CDs, DVDs, or flash drives. The software supports charts, images, and org charts. Make your presentation into a web page for emailing purposes or as a promotion displayed on your company's website.

It is easy to customize presentations with your company logo and dazzle your audience by using one of the many design templates that come with the program. Many more free add-ins and templates are available online from Microsoft and other websites. In addition to an on-screen slideshow, PowerPoint features printing options that allow the presenter to provide handouts and outlines for the audience and notes pages for the speaker to refer to during the presentation.

PowerPoint is part of the Microsoft Office package and is also available as:

• A standalone program for Windows computers and Macs
• Part of a Microsoft 365 subscription
• PowerPoint Online
• PowerPoint apps for Android and iOS mobile devices

PowerPoint comes with many templates that set the tone of a presentation—from casual to formal to off-the-wall.

Select a template and replace the placeholder text and images with your own to customize the presentation. Add additional slides in the same template format as you need them and add text, images, and graphics. As you learn, add special effects, transitions between slides, music, charts, and animations —all these features are built into the software—to enrich the experience for the audience.

A group can use PowerPoint to collaborate on a presentation.

In this case, the presentation is saved online on Microsoft OneDrive , OneDrive for Business, or SharePoint. Send your collaborators or co-workers a link to the PowerPoint file and assign them either viewing or editing permissions when you're ready to share. Comments on the presentation are visible to all the collaborators.

If you use the free PowerPoint Online, work and collaborate using your favorite desktop browser. You and your team can work on the same presentation at the same time from anywhere. You need a Microsoft account.

PowerPoint is by far the most popular  presentation software program available. Approximately 30 million presentations are created daily in the software. Although it has several competitors, they lack the familiarity and global reach of PowerPoint. Apple's Keynote software is similar, and ships free on all Macs, but it has only a small share of the presentation software user base.

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• Presentations

What Is Microsoft PowerPoint? +How to Start Using It For Presentations (Now)

Microsoft PowerPoint is a professional tool for making presentations that's been around for decades. It's got a number of features that make it a powerful presentation tool. 

In this tutorial, you'll learn about Microsoft PowerPoint's origins and the best version of PowerPoint that fits your needs. You'll also discover tutorial resources to start learning how to use its deep toolset. 

We also won't leave you confused on how to make a top-notch presentation with PowerPoint. We've all sat through a boring PowerPoint presentation. It's important to use it the right way, as a visual aid that complement your ideas. 

Guide to Making Great Presentations (Free eBook Download)

Before you read on, be sure to grab our free eBook:  The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations . It'll help you master the presentation process, from: initial idea, through to writing, design, and delivering with impact.

What Is PowerPoint & What Is It Used For?

Microsoft PowerPoint is the most popular presentation software. You'll find it everywhere from Fortune 500 boardrooms to college classrooms. PowerPoint is a part of Microsoft Office, which also includes apps like Excel and Microsoft Word. 

PowerPoint started as a Mac-only app in 1987 and was quickly acquired by Microsoft to help bolster the Office software package. It quickly gained a foothold in the work world as an easy way to put together a slide deck with supporting points.

Make no mistake: PowerPoint is the market leader, but its widespread usage is more than simply habit. Competitors like Apple's Keynote and Google's Slides have improved to challenge PowerPoint, but Microsoft has responded with updates of its own to maintain its leadership.

PowerPoint's popularity is largely driven by its ease of use. Most of its features simply involve dragging and dropping content boxes and filling them with your own information. However, PowerPoint also has plenty of deeper features under the hood. I'm yet to find a feature I need missing from the app.

The Many Types of PowerPoint PPT Presentations Can You Make

What is PowerPoint? You might know it as the presentation tool that your professors or business colleagues use to show their information. But the reality is that PowerPoint is used to build all kinds of presentations. Let's look at examples that run the gamut.

One common Microsoft PowerPoint presentation type that you might want to build in PowerPoint is a  pitch deck,  a special presentation that many startups and entrepreneurs use to garner support. Jump to the link below to learn how to start using PowerPoint for pitch decks.

Another common Microsoft PowerPoint presentation type is a slideshow. These could span many types of content, but if you're planning a presentation for your big day , the example below is worth checking out. Thanks to smooth transitions and animations, it's an ideal choice.

Finally, another important example of a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation is to explain complex concepts. That's made much easier thanks to  infographics,  the sweet spot between showing information and using graphics to do so. Use the example below to get inspiration.

To see even more types of graphic presentations that you can build in PowerPoint, check out the links below:

What is PowerPoint? As you've seen in the examples above, it can really be used to build any type of sequenced slides. 

If you want to learn PowerPoint, we also have some of the best resources. Keep reading to find out more.

How Can I Learn PowerPoint? (& Get a Quick Start)

The Tuts+ Business section has an abundance of  Microsoft PowerPoint tutorial resources  that'll help you build your skills and get comfortable using this popular presentation app. 

Dive into our PowerPoint beginner tutorials series and our quick-start PowerPoint videos . Get started using PowerPoint quickly: 

Or, check out some of my favorite beginner tutorials to start learning more about PowerPoint's powerful set of presentation tools:

What PowerPoint Version Should You Use?

Microsoft's business model has changed significantly in recent years. Instead of buying the latest version of Microsoft Office, they now heavily promote Office 365 .   This is basically a subscription to use all of the Office apps, including PowerPoint.

The advantage of Office 365 is that you'll always have the most up-to-date version of the entire suite of apps. In fact, Microsoft is constantly updating its Office apps and the Office 365 version even includes features that you won't find in the perpetual license version.

For Home users, there are really three unique packages to choose from:

• Office 365 Home . If you're purchasing Office for your household, this package is a great choice. It includes five licenses that you can use on your account and is perfect for families.
• Office 365 Personal . This is the least expensive version of Office and includes just one license to use. 
• Office Home & Student 2016 . This is most similar to the traditional "buy and own" model of Microsoft Office. You'll pay a one-time feel for Office and have it to use indefinitely but won't be able to access upgrades as Microsoft releases them.

Office 365 subscriptions also include 1 TB (terabyte) of storage space in OneDrive, Microsoft's cloud storage app. Going with an Office 365 subscription is the least expensive way to get access to PowerPoint.

One other key advantage of Office 365 is that it enables additional features on the mobile apps for iOS and Android. You can view and edit   documents for free without a subscription, but Office 365 unlocks the full power of the mobile apps.

However, if you're a casual user of Office and don't need to stay up-to-date, the "Home & Student 2016" can be a worthwhile option. The value comes down to comparing how long you think you'll keep the version versus the monthly costs of Office 365.

What Is PowerPoint Online?

Another option is PowerPoint Online , the totally free version of PowerPoint that you can use inside a web browser. If you've used Google Drive's productivity apps like Docs or Sheets, this is Microsoft's answer.

PowerPoint Online is free to use regardless of the option you choose to license PowerPoint. As long as you make a Microsoft account, you can use PowerPoint Online to build and view presentations.

Hit this link to check out PowerPoint Online. Even if you use the desktop version of PowerPoint, the Online counterpart represents an easy way to get to your files from any web browser.

For Microsoft, PowerPoint Online signals a big shift. It's the first time that you can access the majority of PowerPoint's features at no cost at all. The company's focus seems to be to hook people into using the product, versus selling one-time licenses to users.

What Are MS PowerPoint PPT Templates?

PowerPoint Templates (frequently also called "themes") are the quickest way to add style to your Microsoft PowerPoint presentation and one of the reasons that PowerPoint is so popular.

We're not all graphic designers. And even if you're a talented artist, you likely don't have time to illustrate everything from scratch when you're preparing to present. You should be focusing on the content and message that your audience will hear.

The easiest way to add a design to your slide is to use a template, which you'll find on PowerPoint's ribbon on the  Design  tab. Click on one of the template thumbnails to apply it to your presentation.

These are just Microsoft's built-in options, however. With the help of premium templates, you can build your best Microsoft PowerPoint presentation yet. On Envato Elements , you can source thousands of MS PPT templates.

When you start with a premium template from Elements, you've got most of the hard work already complete. Talented graphic designers contribute MS PPT templates that already have all of the placeholders you need. Just update them with your content specifics and you'll have a great Microsoft PowerPoint presentation in no time!

The best way to learn PowerPoint is really to skip the learning curve altogether by using templates. If you're wondering what is Microsoft PowerPoint when it's done properly, premium templates give you a perfect example.

Using Professional PowerPoint PPT Templates

Microsoft's built-in themes are a good enough start, but there are far better alternatives available to use. You can use premium presentation themes that are available through  Envato Elements  and  GraphicRiver   to supplant the built-in themes. 

Elements is a subscription service that allows you to download and use unlimited PowerPoint templates and creative assets—a powerful offer. GraphicRiver is another option that allows you to per pay template.

Discover more great  Microsoft PowerPoint template designs from these sites in this curated selection of the best: 

The themes that you'll find on Elements and GraphicRiver are heads and shoulders above Microsoft's built-in options. These are ready for professional presentations at any level. 

Above all, themes from these sites include  ideas for your slides.  Many times, I know what the slide should contain, but need ideas for how to show the content.

Take, for example, the Yooga PowerPoint theme . Yooga comes with over 150 slide design ideas, as well as a variety of color schemes. Buy it once and use it repeatedly for all of your presentations; there's enough variety for it to be used in many cases.

One note about these custom themes: they don't always appear in PowerPoint's ribbon the way that Microsoft's templates do. They are often packaged as standalone PPTX files that you can open and re-work for your own presentations. 

Start Working With Pro PowerPoint PPT Templates Today

Learn all about how to make great presentations quickly with professional PowerPoint templates: 

Why Do Many People Dislike PowerPoint? (Does PowerPoint Suck?)

A number of people decry PowerPoint as a bad tool. Some of that reputation is on the mark, because I think we've all sat through many boring presentations in which the presenter reads directly from the slides.

However, this is also an unfair reputation because PowerPoint can be an excellent aid. Like most tools, it all comes down to how you use it.

Most PowerPoint presentations go south because the presenter uses the slide as a  replacement  for giving a presentation. The key is that slides should support and reiterate your talking points, rather than serve as a crutch.

Here are some of my most important tips to avoid during your PowerPoint-driven presentation:

• Don't read directly from your slides. PowerPoint slides should have key points that summarize your talking points.
• Don't put too many objects on each slide. This will confuse or distract your audience from your message.
• Don't overdo it with animations, either! You can make objects fly on and off slides, but it'll distract from your message.
• Don't speak for too long. No matter how good your slides look, an audience will eventually tune out.
• Don't  bury the lede. Reveal the key idea early and spend the rest of the presentation supporting it, instead of making your audience sit through a long talk and find the conclusion at the end.

Discover more helpful PowerPoint presentation tips: 

How Can You Build Visual Presentations Quickly in PowerPoint?

Your audience is sure to expect a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation loaded with visual elements. Slides that are overburdened with text and too many details will lose the audience's attention. The solution is to create more visual presentations that feature eye-catching graphics and imagery.

Let's look at three key elements of building a visual presentation: 

1. How to Use Graphics in Microsoft PowerPoint

SmartArt is one of my favorite PowerPoint features, mainly because I'm not a graphic designer. But even for those who are experienced with Photoshop or Illustrator, the SmartArt feature deserves a look.

Basically, SmartArt is the best of both worlds between charts and images. They've got the professionally polished look of a designed graphic, but maintain the flexibility of a chart. You can add or remove points at any time.

Another option that I've already mentioned above is using an  infographic  to explain detailed ideas. SmartArt allows you to build some infographics but check out the tutorial below for more advanced options.

Check out the tutorials below to learn more about using SmartArt to build a variety of graphics, such as timelines, pyramids, hierarchies, and cycles.

2. How to Use Images Effectively in PowerPoint

Imagery can make or break a presentation. That's why it's so important to source great photos when you're building a PowerPoint so that the images match the tone and content of your presentation concept.

If you checked out Envato Elements earlier in this tutorial, you might be surprised to learn that it features far more than just PowerPoint templates. In fact, your subscription gives you more than 700,00 stock photos at no additional cost.

Most of the premium templates that you'll find on Envato Elements include easy-to-update image placeholders. Download a template, pair a few stock photos from Elements, and you'll quickly have your best Microsoft PowerPoint presentation yet.

For a complete guide to working with images in PowerPoint, check out the link below:

3. How to Work With Slides in PowerPoint

Slides are the individual units that build up a PowerPoint presentation. Learning how to work with them holistically is key to building a great PowerPoint presentation.

Each slide should serve a purpose of its own, with a new aspect of your idea on each slide. This helps you keep a good flow in your presentation, as advancing each slide will bring to light a new angle of your perspective.

Read the tutorial below to learn how to build slide decks and use each slide to its full potential:

How Does PowerPoint Make Giving Presentations Easier?

Contrary to popular belief, PowerPoint is much more than a tool to develop presentations. It's also your best friend when you're giving the presentation. 

Instead of scrambling to prepare note cards or printed versions of your slides to reference, PowerPoint keeps all of those essentials nearby.

Presenter View is one of the most powerful features for sharing your PowerPoint presentation. Imagine having all of the most important tools on your screen.

Oftentimes, you'll have two displays while you're giving a presentation: your own laptop or tablet screen, and the screen that you're presenting on. While your audience will see the finished presentation, you'll have your own Presenter View where you can see your notes and upcoming slides.

For a complete tutorial on Presenter View , check out the link below:

How to Use Advanced MS PowerPoint Tools

PowerPoint does a good job balancing between user-friendly and full of features. It's easy to start using, but you might be surprised by some of the more advanced features that it includes. Let's look at a few advanced features.

1. Link PowerPoint and Excel

If you're a numbers person, I'll bet that you love Microsoft Excel. But it's just as likely that your audience would appreciate a more condensed version of your data in presentation format.

That's why the linkage between PowerPoint and Excel is so powerful. In fact, when used properly, your PowerPoint presentation can automatically refresh with the latest data in your Excel spreadsheet. Jump to the tutorial below to start using this feature.

2. Use PowerPoint in a Browser

As mentioned earlier in this tutorial, PowerPoint has a fully-featured browser version that's a fairly new addition to the Microsoft family. Saving your presentation to the cloud and using it in a web browser helps you collaborate with others.

Both of the tutorials below can help you start using PowerPoint Online. Whether you're looking to save your presentations safely or share them with others, these two tutorials will help you advance beyond PowerPoint's desktop apps.

3. Customize Slide Layouts

Think of slide layouts as a blueprint for the overall slide design. When you choose a layout, PowerPoint populates the slide with pre-built elements that are ready to fill in. 

Advanced PowerPoint users customize slide layouts so that they can be re-used over and over. This is how the best presenters save time in developing their presentations. Read the tutorial below to customize your slide layouts.

These advanced features can really make you a professional presenter. Make sure to try them out, and pretty soon you'll be teaching your peers what Microsoft PowerPoint is used for.

Recap & Learn More About Making Great PowerPoint Presentations 

In this tutorial, I shared some of my favorite reasons that I use Microsoft PowerPoint. Whether it's the sheer familiarity or the polish of over 30 years of development, PowerPoint won't be going anywhere soon.

Learn more in our  PowerPoint beginner tutorials series  or our  quick-start PowerPoint videos . You can also get our free eBook now: 

Need Help? Grab Our Making Great Presentations eBook (Free)

You can find more information in our  eBook on making great presentations . Download this PDF eBook now for FREE with your subscription to the Tuts+ Business Newsletter. 

It'll help you master the presentation process, from: initial creative ideas, through to writing, design, and delivering with impact.

Do you use PowerPoint, or one of its competitors? I'm always interested to find out why, so feel free to do so in the comments section below.

This tutorial has been updated to include new information—with special assistance from  Andrew Childress.

Definition of a Powerpoint Presentation

When you want to make a slideshow complete with text and multimedia content, Microsoft PowerPoint can handle whatever you throw at it. A PowerPoint presentation can share important information such as a business plan or educational lesson, or it can be useful for entertainment purposes.

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You have a lot of control over customizing a PowerPoint presentation and can start quickly with templates and a variety of useful tools. Microsoft offers a free basic web version of PowerPoint but requires an Office 365 subscription to get the most from the powerful program.

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PowerPoint Presentation Description

The basic purpose of a PowerPoint presentation is to communicate information or media through a series of slides. Along with regular text, your slides can contain numerous types of content such as tables, images, drawings, charts, links, word art, videos, audio and even embedded add-ins from Microsoft. The software also has built-in editing tools that you can use to resize, position and update content without needing to open items in other applications.

Using PowerPoint

Often, you narrate a presentation when you give it live or record audio for viewers when you're sharing your presentation to a group remotely. However, you can also include all the important information in the slides themselves or in the speaker notes found below each slide. The program comes with presentation planning tools that can help you both with the narration and timing of the presentation.

PowerPoint also gives you flexibility with presentation styles. You can share your presentation online and let other users view or even edit the content. You can also use the slideshow format that you can configure to show slides at a specified time interval, set up a custom display format or add extras such as subtitles.

Popular PowerPoint Features

Some of PowerPoint's most popular features include the built-in slide designer and templates that can help you make presentations quickly without needing much knowledge of the process. For example, by opening the program's template library, you can generate a starter file with a title slide with your preferred background, layout and color scheme. You can then use the program's duplication option to generate more formatted slides easily. Even if you make a presentation from scratch, you can use a Design Ideas button that generates a list of ready-to-use slide styles to select.

Other helpful PowerPoint features include the built-in transitions and animations, text highlighter and drawing tools. The transitions and animations make your presentation look professional and interesting with effects like fading, growing and shrinking, morphing and zooming. The text highlighter and drawing tools make it easier to point out information as you give presentations. The latest PowerPoint also lets you insert 3D models that users can interact with.

Common Uses of PowerPoint

Whether you use one slide or many, you can find uses for PowerPoint in many professions and areas. Some examples of PowerPoint projects include:

• Work portfolios
• Business meetings
• Tutorials for students and workers
• Photo slideshows
• Mailing labels
• Timelines and flowcharts
• Family trees

How to Get PowerPoint

If you're comfortable with a limited version of PowerPoint that you access through your web browser or mobile device, you can use your free Microsoft account to sign in to the OneDrive version of all the Office products. This version allows for collaboration and gives you access to some templates like the paid versions do. However, you can expect some advanced editing options and features – like live narration recording – not to work.

Otherwise, you can purchase the Office 365 Personal or Office 365 Home version of Office that gives you access to the software on all platforms. You pay either monthly or yearly and gain access to all of PowerPoint's premium features along with perks such as a large amount of storage on OneDrive, technical support and access to other popular Office apps. Office 365 Home allows up to six users versus just one for Office 365 Personal, so your whole family can benefit.

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• Brandon Gaille: 10 Pros and Cons of Powerpoint Presentations
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What are the Main Features of Microsoft PowerPoint?

By: Author Shrot Katewa

There are a lot of presentation programs out there. With all the options available, it can become rather tough to choose which is best for you. That is why the features of any software are so important. It can determine whether or not you use the software. With that being said, what are the features of Microsoft PowerPoint?

The most popular features of Microsoft PowerPoint are as follows: Animations, designs, being able to add images and videos, and also editing those images and videos. With PowerPoint, you can use all the features available to make presentations that really stand out and could help you boost your career or sign a client.

In this article, we are going to not only mention the main features of PowerPoint, but we are also going to share with you some of the most useful features of PowerPoint. Plus, we are going to talk a little bit about each of them.

So, if you have ever wondered what features PowerPoint has or what certain features are meant for and what they do, you have come to the right place. For everything that you need to know, keep reading.

A Quick Note Before We Begin – if you want to make jaw-dropping presentations, I would recommend using one of these Presentation Designs . The best part is – it is only $16.5 a month, but you get to download and use as many presentation designs as you like! I personally use it from time-to-time, and it makes my task of making beautiful presentations really quick and easy!

1. PowerPoint Design Ideas

First on this list and one of my favorite features of PowerPoint is the “ Design Ideas “. It can be found in the “ Design ” tab in PowerPoint. Once you are there you will see two separate sections. One section will be a theme and the other will be a different variant of that theme. These themes are for each slide.

PowerPoint’s Design Ideas automatically and instantly provides you will several design options for a particular slide based on the content that is present on the slide.

Design Ideas can help you save a good amount of time and make your slides look good. It is a great feature for those who perhaps want to improve the design of the slides but are not really great at creating designs.

It doesn’t always give the perfect design option, and sometimes you do need to play around with it a little bit to get a good design. But, most of the time, it doesn’t get the job done.

Design Ideas is a great feature that is unique to Microsoft PowerPoint and something that most other presentation programs do not have. But, other unique features presented in this article give a great advantage when using PowerPoint !

2. Animations

Microsoft PowerPoint animations allow you to emphasize certain points of your current slide. There are primarily 3 categories of animations in PowerPoint. You can select any object in your slide and animate it with these animations:

• Entrance Animation
• Emphasis Animation
• Exit Animations

Each animation category provides you with a huge list of additional options to choose from.

As the name suggests, entrance animation is a type of animation that will make a shape, text or any other element appear on a slide. Likewise, an exit animation can be applied when you want a certain element to disappear from the slide.

Note – If you are on the fence but interested in getting PowerPoint, check out this limited-time deal to get Office 365 1-year subscription for the lowest price on Amazon!

Emphasis animation can be used when you want to highlight or bring the attention of the audience members to a particular element on the slide.

Once you choose and apply the animations, you also get other options. You can select how long you want animations to last, when you want them to start, and when you want them to end. Microsoft was not shy when they gave us the number of features that they did regarding animations.

3. Slide Transitions

I have seen a lot of people confuse slide transitions with animations and vice versa. It is important to remember that they are completely different things.

Also Read – Difference Between Animations and Slide Transitions in PowerPoint!

While animation gives you the ability to animate elements within your slide, transitions give you the ability to change how slides change from one to another. This can have a significant impact on a slide’s first impressions.

Some of the most notable transitions are:

Other options include the ability to set the speed of your transition, change the dynamic of the transition, and much more. Again, Microsoft has added a lot of customizability over the last few years when it comes to transitions.

When using transitions, you can alter the entire feel of a presentation without changing its theme. I recommend taking your time and making sure that each transition doesn’t feel forced but feels natural to the presentation.

Sometimes an image can say a thousand words. With that in mind, it is easy to understand why adding images to your presentation can help you say more than you could while using words. Well, at least this is true in some cases.

If your presentation feels slightly boring, don’t be afraid to throw in an image every now and then. To be honest, most presentations require images anyway. Not only are they necessary, in some cases, they can also spice up your presentation.

When it comes to adding images, there are two main ways of doing this. You could either add an image via your PC or you can embed an image from somewhere else on the internet. Whatever best suits you, PowerPoint has you covered.

5. Merge Shapes

Microsoft PowerPoint allows you to merge shapes. This is because they understand that they might not always have the exact shape that you are looking for.

So, hopefully, merging shapes can help give you a uniform shape. I say “uniform” because if you cannot find a shape that you want to use, you could draw one. The problem is, this might not be the best option because freehand drawing can be difficult.

If merging shapes is still not giving you what you want, there is another option that you can use. These are known as “smart-art”. It can help you transform your presentation into something phenomenal.

Another great way of spicing up a presentation is to add videos to certain slides. As we discussed with images, a video can say a lot without having to use words. In fact, there are so many applications for using videos in your presentation. I guess the only limit would be your imagination.

Videos can be easily added from the storage on your PC. This might make the size of your presentation quite large. So, you might want to double-check the size of the video before inserting it into your presentation.

Again, this is one of my favorite features of PowerPoint. You can easily add videos to your presentation from Youtube. We are trying to keep each section brief so I can’t go into too much detail about the importance of being able to add videos from YouTube. However, there are a lot of reasons.

So, if you don’t have the video on your PC and you cannot find it on YouTube but you know where it is on another website, all you need to do is get the embed code for that video. This can often be done just by right-clicking on the video, copying the embed code, and then you can embed it into your presentation.

With the ability to add icons to your presentations, it just gives you some freedom to add a personal touch to the presentation. It is important to note that some versions do not come with the icons feature. However, if you have Office 365 you should always have the icons option.

If you do not have the option to use icons, you could technically use shapes and with some clever aligning skills, they could be turned into icons or at least used as such. You could also use icons found on the web. They would need to be saved to your PC as an image and then again, with some clever aligning skills, nobody would know the difference.

8. PowerPoint Notes for Presentation

When you are giving a presentation it is often difficult to constantly remember what you have to say. This is true even though you have the slide right in front of you. That is where the notes feature comes in. They can help you remember what to say for each slide which is a great way to stay on topic.

Your presentation can be set up in a way that the notes do not appear on the presentation but they still appear on your PC or Mac. Remember, most of the time the people who are viewing the presentation cannot see this. Otherwise, you can also hide your notes

The notes feature is not just there for you to remember what to say and a lot of people tend to overlook this. If you are working in a team, then using notes can help other employees or other people who are working on the presentation understand what’s happening on each slide.

9. Morph Transition

We have already talked about transitions earlier in the article. However, “Morph Transition” is by far one of the best ways to you make your slides give a great first impression. In fact, this creates a lasting impression as well!

By using Morph Transition, you can make actually make elements move between slides – a feature that gives a video-like feel to your PowerPoint slides!

It is important to remember that the slides where Morph Transition is used, need to have at least one element that has something in common between both the slides.

I shall soon be making a video to help you understand how the Morph Transition works in PowerPoint and how you can leverage this feature to take your PowerPoint presentations up a notch! (I will update it here once the video is created).

This is one of the most used features of PowerPoint. It is also one of the best features in terms of what you can do with it. Using charts in your presentations can help you illustrate data in an easy-to-understand way for your audience.

You can also link charts to external data sources. Most notably, you can link to excel sheets. The chart’s functionality in PowerPoint is so versatile you can even get your chart to be updated automatically in PowerPoint when the data gets edited in excel.

It is actually a rather simple process. All you have to do is link a chart to an external data set. This can be done from within PowerPoint so it is pretty much hassle-free.

11. Removing Background from Images

When you upload an image to your presentation, what if that image needs to be edited? What is the first thing that you would normally think you would do? You would probably go to an image editing program such as Photoshop, right?

With Microsoft PowerPoint, there is no need for that in most cases. Well, at least if you want to remove a background from your image , you could just use PowerPoint.

All you have to do is click on the drawing format ribbon and select “remove background”. It then works almost the exact same way as all other photo editing software. You will draw around the piece you want to keep or the piece you want to get rid of.

12. Video Editing (Basic)

Again, what if you upload a video to your PowerPoint presentation but you don’t want to show the whole video. maybe you just want to show some parts or cut some pieces out. What is the first thing you would do? Open up a video editing software right? Well, with PowerPoint you might not have to.

While PowerPoint is not the next Adobe premier, it does allow you to trim the video, cut portions of a video out, and finally add sound. It is a basic video editor.

Being able to use PowerPoint as a quick video editor adds to the convenience of PowerPoint. It also adds to your overall productivity because you don’t have to open and close program after program to get everything done.

13. Export PowerPoint as Video

Microsoft PowerPoint allows you to export entire presentations as videos. I know that you might be thinking why would this even be useful. Well, I alone can think of so many reasons why you would want to use this feature.

Not all presentations are designed to be given by a speaker. Actually, the main reason for a PowerPoint presentation is to get a point across to somebody. This could be your employer, colleague, client, or even the classroom.

If you don’t want to send somebody a presentation that they could edit or see the notes for and you just want them to watch it, this feature is for you. Why not export it as a video and give whoever you send the video to the ability to watch it at their own time, pause it at their own time, and take notes.

14. Add Audio Narration to your PowerPoint Presentation

This feature kind of feeds off of the previous one. You are not always going to be there to give a presentation as a speaker but you still want to iterate a lot of the points made in your slides. So, why not add audio narration to your presentation?

Doing this will allow you to send the presentation as a video to somebody and have the narration over it. So, technically, you would still be the speaker if it is you narrating the presentation.

This feature is Great for teachers who just want to give the classroom information in the most efficient way possible. In fact, with online learning becoming more relevant than ever in 2020, this feature has picked up in popularity.

This feature is also great for presentations that are designed to be given as instructional videos.

15. Adding Comments to Slides

The feature to add comments in PowerPoint is more about the person who reviews a presentation rather than the person who creates it. Some people get comments mixed up with notes but they are two different features that have two different applications.

If you need to review somebody else’s presentation, you can add comments to certain sections or slides of the presentation. This is so that they can understand your criticisms.

Also, if you are the person creating it and you want to add a comment, this can help the person who is reviewing the presentation to fully understand why you did what you did in certain slides.

Final Thoughts

The features mentioned in this article show why PowerPoint is still the leading presentation software. There is so much that you can do and honestly, it all makes every presentation different from the other.

If you take time to learn what each feature does, you could use them to make presentations that have a higher chance of captivating your audience, your classroom or even getting you one step closer to signing a contract with the new clients.

We have covered a lot of the features mentioned in this article. So, I highly recommend taking a little bit of time out of your day to read those articles.

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PowerPoint 2010  - Slide Basics

Powerpoint 2010  -, slide basics, powerpoint 2010 slide basics.

PowerPoint 2010: Slide Basics

Lesson 2: slide basics.

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Introduction

PowerPoint includes all of the features you need to produce professional-looking presentations. When you create a PowerPoint presentation, it is made up of a series of slides . The slides contain the information you want to communicate with your audience. This information can include text, pictures, charts, video, and sound. Before you begin adding information to slides, you'll need to know the basics of working with slides. In this lesson, you will learn how to insert new slides, modify a layout , and change your presentation view .

Slide basics

Every PowerPoint presentation is composed of a series of slides . To begin creating a slide show, you'll need to know the basics of working with slides. You'll need to feel comfortable with tasks such as inserting a new slide, changing the layout of a slide, arranging existing slides, changing slide view , and adding notes to a slide.

Optional: You can download this example for extra practice.

About slides

Slides contain placeholders , which are areas on the slide that are enclosed by dotted borders. Placeholders can contain many different items, including text, pictures, and charts. Some placeholders have placeholder text , or text you can replace. They also have thumbnail-sized icons that represent specific commands such as Insert Picture , Insert Chart , and Insert ClipArt . In PowerPoint, hover over each icon to see the type of content you can insert in a placeholder.

About slide layouts

Placeholders are arranged in different layouts that can be applied to existing slides or chosen when you insert a new slide . A slide layout arranges your content using different types of placeholders, depending on what information you might want to include in your presentation.

In the example above, the layout is called Title and Content and includes title and content placeholders. While each layout has a descriptive name, you can also tell from the image of the layout how the placeholders will be arranged.

Customizing slide layouts

To change the layout of an existing slide:.

To delete a placeholder:

You can easily customize your layout by deleting unwanted—or extra—placeholders from any slide.

• Press Backspace or Delete on your keyboard. The placeholder will be removed from the slide.

To add a text box:

Text boxes allow you to add to your current layout, so you can place text wherever you want on your slide.

Explore our Text Basics lesson to learn more about inserting and using text boxes in PowerPoint 2010.

To use a blank slide:

For more control over your content, you may prefer a blank slide—a slide without placeholders—over one of the existing layouts. Blank slides can be customized by adding your own text boxes, pictures, charts, and more.

Working with slides

To insert a new slide:.

• A new slide will be added your presentation.

To instantly add a slide that uses the same layout as the one you have selected, click the top half of the New Slide command.

To copy and paste a slide:

• On the Slides tab in the left pane, select the slide you want to copy.

To select multiple slides, press and hold Ctrl on your keyboard and click the slides you want to select.

To duplicate a slide:

An alternative to copying and pasting, duplicating slides copies the selected slide and—in one step—pastes it directly underneath. This feature does not allow you to choose the location of the copied slide, nor does it offer Paste Options for advanced users, so it's more convenient for quickly inserting similar slides.

• Select the slide you want to duplicate.
• Click the New Slide command.

To delete a slide:

• Select the slide you want to delete.
• Press the Delete or Backspace key on your keyboard.

To move a slide:

• Select the slide you want to move.

• Release the mouse button. The slide will appear in the new location.

Managing slides and presentations

As you add slides to your presentation, PowerPoint offers a variety of views and tools to help you organize and prepare your slide show.

About slide views

It's important to be able to access the different slide views and use them for various tasks. The slide view commands are located on the bottom-right of the PowerPoint window in Normal view.

Normal view : This is the default view where you create and edit your slides. You can also move slides in the Slides tab in the pane on the left.

Slide Sorter view : In this view, miniature slides are arranged on the screen. You can drag and drop slides to easily reorder them and to see more slides at one time. This is a good view to use to confirm that you have all the needed slides and that none have been deleted.

Reading view : This view fills most of the computer screen with a preview of your presentation. Unlike Slide Show view, it includes easily accessible buttons for navigation, located at the bottom-right.

Slide Show view : This view completely fills the computer screen and is what the audience will see when they view the presentation. Slide Show view has an additional menu that appears when you hover over it, allowing you to navigate slides and access other features you can use during a presentation.

Use the keys on your keyboard—including the arrow keys, Page Up and Page Down keys, spacebar, and Enter key—to move through the slides in Slide Show view. Press the Esc key to end the slide show.

To view an outline of your presentation:

The Outline tab shows your slide text in outline form. This allows you to quickly edit your slide text and view the contents of multiple slides at once.

• An outline of your slide text appears.

To organize slides into sections:

You can organize your slides into sections to make your presentation easier to navigate. Sections can be collapsed or expanded in the left pane and named for easy reference. In this example, we will add two sections: one for dogs that are available for adoption, and another for cats and other pets.

• Select the slide you want to begin your first section.
• From the Home tab, click the Section command.

• Repeat to add as many sections as you want.

Adding notes to slides

PowerPoint gives you the ability to add notes to your slides—often called speaker notes —to help you deliver or prepare for your presentation. You can enter and view your speaker notes using the Notes pane or the Notes Page view.

To use the Notes pane:

• Locate the Notes pane at the bottom of the screen, directly below the Slide pane.

To use Notes Page view:

• Go to the View tab.

• Open an existing PowerPoint presentation . If you want, you can use this example .
• Change the layout of a slide. If you are using the example, change the layout of slide 3 to Section Header .
• Add a new blank slide, then insert a text box .
• Copy and paste a slide, then move it to a new location.
• View your presentation in Normal view, Slide Sorter view, Reading view, and Slide Show view.
• View an outline of your presentation in the left pane.
• Divide your presentation into at least two sections , and try collapsing and expanding them. If you are using the example, create one section for dogs and another for cats and other pets.
• Experiment with adding speaker notes to your presentation using the Notes pane and the Notes Page view .

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Microsoft PowerPoint

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Microsoft PowerPoint , virtual presentation software developed by Robert Gaskins and Dennis Austin for the American computer software company Forethought, Inc. The program, initially named Presenter, was released for the Apple Macintosh in 1987. In July of that year, the Microsoft Corporation , in its first significant software acquisition, purchased the rights to PowerPoint for $14 million.

PowerPoint was designed to facilitate visual demonstrations for group presentations in the business environment . Presentations are arranged as a series of individually designed “slides” that contain images, text, or other objects. Version 1.0 allowed users to generate text and graphics pages for black-and-white handouts, notes, and overhead transparencies. Version 2.0, developed for both Macintosh and Microsoft’s Windows operating system , was upgraded to output 35-mm colour slides. The 1992 release of PowerPoint 3.0 introduced the now-standard virtual slideshow. Subsequent versions added more features: slide transitions, background designs, animation, graphics, movie and sound clips, and AutoContent, which generates a presentation template based on what information is to be conveyed. In 2003 the renamed Office PowerPoint reflected Microsoft’s emphasis on standardizing the user interface and program functions across their suite of Office programs, which included Word (a word processor ) and Excel (a spreadsheet program). PowerPoint is also available for mobile devices like smartphones and tablets in the iOS and Android operating systems.

PowerPoint was developed for business use but has wide applications elsewhere, such as for schools and community organizations. The program was initially packaged as a stand-alone product, but its inclusion in the best-selling Microsoft Office suite assured its near-total dominance in the presentation-software market.

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An Introduction To MS PowerPoint

MS PowerPoint is a program that is included in the Microsoft Office suite. It is used to make presentations for personal and professional purposes.

In this article, we shall discuss in detail the functions and features of a PowerPoint presentation, followed by some sample questions based on this topic for the upcoming competitive exams. 

To learn more about the different programs under Microsoft Office , visit the linked article. 

Given below are a few important things that one must know about the development and introduction of Microsoft PowerPoint:

• The program was created in a software company named Forethought, Inc. by Robert Gaskins and Dennis Austin. 
• It was released on April 20, 1987, and after 3 months of its creation, it was acquired by Microsoft.
• The first version of this program, when introduced by Microsoft was MS PowerPoint 2.0 (1990).
• It is a presentation-based program that uses graphics, videos, etc. to make a presentation more interactive and interesting.
• The file extension of a saved Powerpoint presentation is “.ppt”.
• A PowerPoint presentation comprising slides and other features is also known as PPT.

Gradually, with each version, the program was more creative and more interactive. Various other features were added in PowerPoint which massively increased the requirement and use of this MS Office program.

From the examination point of view, MS PowerPoint happens to be a very important topic. Candidates who are preparing for the various Government exams can visit the Computer Knowledge page and get a list of topics included in the syllabus and prepare themselves accordingly. 

Basics of MS PowerPoint

Discussed below are a few questions that one must be aware of while discussing the basics of MS PowerPoint. Once this is understood, using the program and analysing how to use it more creatively shall become easier.

Question: What is MS PowerPoint?

Answer: PowerPoint (PPT) is a powerful, easy-to-use presentation graphics software  program that allows you to create professional-looking electronic slide  shows. 

The image given below shows the main page of MS PowerPoint, where a person lands when the program is opened on a computer system:

Question: How to open MS PowerPoint on a personal computer?

Answer: Follow the steps below to open MS PowerPoint on a personal computer:

• Click on the start button
• Then choose “All Programs”
• Next step is to select “MS Office”
• Under MS Office, click on the “MS PowerPoint” 

A blank presentation is open on the screen. According to the requirement, a person can modify the template for a presentation and start using the program.

Question: What is a PowerPoint presentation or PPT?

Answer: A combination of various slides depicting a graphical and visual interpretation of data, to present information in a more creative and interactive manner is called a PowerPoint presentation or PPT.

Question: What is a slide show in a PowerPoint presentation?

Answer: When all the slides of a PowerPoint presentation are set in series and then presented to a group of people, where each slide appears one after the other, is a set pattern, this is known as a PowerPoint slide show. 

Question: What all elements can be added to a slide?

Answer: The following elements can be added to a Powerpoint slide:

• Photographs
• Media Clips

All these elements are mainly used to enhance presentation skills and make the slide more interactive.

To learn more about the Fundamentals of Computer , visit the linked article. 

For a better understanding of the Microsoft PowerPoint and its operations, functions and usage, refer to the video given below:

Features of MS PowerPoint

There are multiple features that are available in MS PowerPoint which can customise and optimise a presentation. The same have been discussed below.

• Slide Layout

Multiple options and layouts are available based on which a presentation can be created. This option is available under the “Home” section and one can select from the multiple layout options provided.

The image below shows the different slide layout options which are available for use:

• Insert – Clipart, Video, Audio, etc.

Under the “Insert” category, multiple options are available where one can choose what feature they want to insert in their presentation. This may include images, audio, video, header, footer, symbols, shapes, etc. 

The image below shows the features which can be inserted:

• Slide Design

MS PowerPoint has various themes using which background colour and designs or textures can be added to a slide. This makes the presentation more colourful and attracts the attention of the people looking at it.

This feature can be added using the “Design” category mentioned on the homepage of MS PowerPoint. Although there are existing design templates available, in case someone wants to add some new texture or colour, the option to customise the design is also available. Apart from this, slide designs can also be downloaded online.

Refer to the below for slide design:

During the slide show, the slides appear on the screen one after the other. In case, one wants to add some animations to the way in which a slide presents itself, they can refer to the “Animations” category. 

The different animation styles available on PowerPoint are:

Apart from all these options; font size, font style, font colour, word art, date and time, etc. can also be added to a PPT.

Also, there are various other subjects that are included in the exam syllabus for various competitive exams. Candidates can check the detailed section-wise syllabus in the links given below:

Uses of PowerPoint Presentation

PowerPoint presentations are useful for both personal and professional usage. Given below are a few of the major fields where PPT is extremely useful:

• Education – With e-learning and smart classes being chosen as a common mode of education today, PowerPoint presentations can help in making education more interactive and attract students towards the modified version of studying
• Marketing – In the field of marketing, PowerPoint presentations can be extremely important. Using graphs and charts, numbers can be shown more evidently and clearly which may be ignored by the viewer if being read
• Business – To invite investors or to show the increase or decrease in profits, MS PowerPoint can be used
• Creating Resumes – Digital resumes can be formed using MS PowerPoint. Different patterns, photograph, etc. can be added to the resume
• Depicting Growth – Since both graphics and text can be added in a presentation, depicting the growth of a company, business, student’s marks, etc. is easier using PPT

Government exam aspirants can upgrade their preparation with the help of the links given below:

Sample MS PowerPoint Questions and Answers

As discussed earlier in this article, Computer Awareness is included in the syllabus for many competitive exams. Thus, to understand the program from the examination point of view is also a must. 

Given below are a few sample questions based on MS PowerPoint.

Q 1. How many maximum slides can be added to a PowerPoint presentation?

• No fixed number

Answer: (3) No fixed number

Q 2. Slide Sorter view can be selected under which of the following categories?

Answer: (4) View

Q 3. The combination of which keyboard keys can be used as a shortcut to add a new slide in MS PowerPoint?

Answer: (3) ctrl+M

Q 4. Header and Footer option is available under which of the following categories?

Answer: (1) Insert

Q 5. Which of the following is not included in the “Insert” category in MS PowerPoint?

Answer: (4) Animation

Similar types of MS PowerPoint Questions may be asked based on the features or usage of the program. Thus, one must carefully go through the elements and aspects of PPT. 

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• Introduction to PowerPoint
• Computer Science

Microsoft PowerPoint is essentially a graphics presentation software application that comes in the same package of software as MS Access, MS Excel, MS Word, and MS Paint, issued by Microsoft Office . It is a software that helps the user in formulating and arranging their data and information in the form of slides, which enhances the clarity and communication of the subject, along with adding a visual aspect to the data which makes it more appealing and presentable. 

Thus, it can be used for presenting business ideas and plans, and visually presenting the data also makes learning with the data a lot easier, thus can be used by teachers in schools for making learning fun and uncomplicated.   

Meaning of PowerPoint

PowerPoint is a software that is designed to make graphical presentations in the form of individual pages also known as slides.

Features of PowerPoint

Some of the features available in Microsoft PowerPoint are stated below.

Customising Colour Schemes

Adding Animations 

Creating and Adding tables 

Adding images

Adding and Managing Hyperlinks

Creating Custom Shows

Creating and Importing Charts

Easy exporting to MS Word

How to Start  PowerPoint?

To start powerpoint:.

Click on Start

Click the following in sequence stated: All Programs->Microsoft Office->Microsoft Office PowerPoint 

Starting PowerPoint

The Microsoft Office PowerPoint window will appear, starting the software.

How to Open a Blank Presentation?

By default, when we open PowerPoint for the first time, it opens to a new presentation but for future purposes, if we want to open a new presentation, we can do so by following the below-given steps.

Click on New Presentation link on Getting Started pane on the left which results in the appearance of a new window.

Select on Blank Presentation, when the new presentation appears along with it a Layout pane on the right will also appear.

Select any desired layout from the list.

Opening a New Presentation

Uses of PowerPoint

Uses of PowerPoint in Education:

Since PowerPoint offers the feature of adding images and animations, learning by visualisation makes the learning experience more fun and simplified, and researchers state that visual information is retained for a longer amount of time thus it makes the whole process more beneficial. 

Uses of PowerPoint in Business:

Business is mainly about creating a well-laid out roadmap and planning for the project at hand and then executing it. With PowerPoint we can assure a more organised output with a solid structure.

Uses of PowerPoint for Government and Citizen Services:

PowerPoint is also a good option, from other software bundled within MS Office, for storing records and since it's also printable, it provides easy access to the records for government and citizen services to the seekers.

MS Office PowerPoint is an application for making graphical presentations thus adding a visual aspect to our data, enhancing its concept, and leading to easier communication. The software offers various features like Customising colour schemes, adding graphics, images, and animation, etc. Thus it serves as a salient software under MS Offices.

Sample Questions 

1. How can we view or run a presentation?

Ans: To run a presentation, either click on the F5 key or select Play from Beginning on the  Slideshow Pane.

2. How can we add a blank slide to our presentation?

Ans: For adding a new slide in the same presentation simply click on the Slide icon on the Insert tab and choose the type of slide you want to add from the drop-down menu which unfolds on the screen.

Adding a New Slide

Practice Questions

State whether the following statements are True or False :

In PowerPoint we can use animations.

PowerPoint cannot be used to store records.

PowerPoint allows us to graphically represent data.

We can not export data from PowerPoint to Word.

False  

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate answers:

We can add _______, ________ and _________ which gives our presentation a visual aspect.

PowerPoint is a software designed and issued by _______

PowerPoint presents information in the form of individual sheets termed as ________.

Graphics, images, animations

Microsoft Offices

FAQs on Introduction to PowerPoint

1. What is the difference between the transition effect and the animation effect in MS Office PowerPoint?

Transition effects are used on transitioning from one slide to another, whereas Animation effects can be used on the text or the images on the slide.

2. Can we insert sound in a presentation?

Yes we can also insert sound in our presentation.

3. Is Microsoft Office PowerPoint a software?

Yes MS Office PowerPoint is a software application issued by MS Offices.

Basic tasks for creating a PowerPoint presentation

PowerPoint presentations work like slide shows. To convey a message or a story, you break it down into slides. Think of each slide as a blank canvas for the pictures and words that help you tell your story.

Choose a theme

When you open PowerPoint, you’ll see some built-in themes and templates . A theme is a slide design that contains matching colors, fonts, and special effects like shadows, reflections, and more.

On the File tab of the Ribbon, select New , and then choose a theme.

PowerPoint shows you a preview of the theme, with four color variations to choose from on the right side.

Click Create , or pick a color variation and then click Create .

Read more: Use or create themes in PowerPoint

Insert a new slide

On the Home tab, click the bottom half of  New Slide , and pick a slide layout.

Read more: Add, rearrange, and delete slides .

Save your presentation

On the File tab, choose Save .

Pick or browse to a folder.

In the File name box, type a name for your presentation, and then choose Save .

Note:  If you frequently save files to a certain folder, you can ‘pin’ the path so that it is always available (as shown below).

Tip:  Save your work as you go. Press Ctrl+S often or save the file to OneDrive and let AutoSave take care of it for you. 

Read more: Save your presentation file

Select a text placeholder, and begin typing.

Format your text

Select the text.

Under Drawing Tools , choose Format .

Do one of the following:

To change the color of your text, choose Text Fill , and then choose a color.

To change the outline color of your text, choose Text Outline , and then choose a color.

To apply a shadow, reflection, glow, bevel, 3-D rotation, a transform, choose Text Effects , and then choose the effect you want.

Change the fonts

Change the color of text on a slide

Add bullets or numbers to text

Format text as superscript or subscript

Add pictures

On the Insert tab, select Pictures , then do one of the following:

To insert a picture that is saved on your local drive or an internal server, choose This Device , browse for the picture, and then choose Insert .

(For Microsoft 365 subscribers) To insert a picture from our library, choose Stock Images , browse for a picture, select it and choose Insert .

To insert a picture from the web, choose Online Pictures , and use the search box to find a picture. Choose a picture, and then click Insert .

You can add shapes to illustrate your slide. 

On the Insert tab, select Shapes , and then select a shape from the menu that appears.

In the slide area, click and drag to draw the shape.

Select the Format or Shape Format tab on the ribbon. Open the Shape Styles gallery to quickly add a color and style (including shading) to the selected shape.

Add speaker notes

Slides are best when you don’t cram in too much information. You can put helpful facts and notes in the speaker notes, and refer to them as you present.

Click inside the Notes pane below the slide, and begin typing your notes.

Add speaker notes to your slides

Print slides with or without speaker notes

Give your presentation

On the Slide Show tab, do one of the following:

To start the presentation at the first slide, in the Start Slide Show group, click From Beginning .

If you’re not at the first slide and want to start from where you are, click From Current Slide .

If you need to present to people who are not where you are, click Present Online to set up a presentation on the web, and then choose one of the following options:

Broadcast your PowerPoint presentation online to a remote audience

View your speaker notes as you deliver your slide show.

Get out of Slide Show view

To get out of Slide Show view at any time, on the keyboard, press Esc .

You can quickly apply a theme when you're starting a new presentation:

On the File tab, click New .

Select a theme.

Read more:  Apply a design theme to your presentation

In the slide thumbnail pane on the left, select the slide that you want your new slide to follow.

On the Home tab, select the lower half of  New Slide .

From the menu, select the layout that you want for your new slide.

Your new slide is inserted, and you can click inside a placeholder to begin adding content.

Learn more about slide layouts

Read more: Add, rearrange, and delete slides

PowerPoint for the web automatically saves your work to your OneDrive, in the cloud.

To change the name of the automatically saved file:

In the title bar, click the file name.

In the File Name box, enter the name you want to apply to the file.

If you want to change the cloud storage location, at the right end of the Location box, click the arrow symbol, then navigate to the folder you want, then select Move here .

On the Home tab, use the Font options:

Select from other formatting options such as Bold , Italic , Underline , Strikethrough , Subscript , and Superscript .

On the  Insert  tab, select  Pictures .

From the menu, select where you want to insert the picture from:

Browse to the image you want, select it, then select Insert . 

After the image is inserted on the slide, you can select it and drag to reposition it, and you can select and drag a corner handle to resize the image. 

On the slide canvas, click and drag to draw the shape.

Select the Shape tab on the ribbon. Open the Shape Styles gallery to quickly add a color and style (including shading) to the selected shape.

A horizontal Notes pane appears at the bottom of the window, below the slide.

Click in the pane, then enter text. 

On the  Slide Show  tab, select  Play From Beginning .

To navigate through the slides, simply click the mouse or press the spacebar.

Tip:  You can also use the forward and back arrow keys on your keyboard to navigate through the slide show.

Read more:  Present your slide show

Stop a slide show

To get out of Slide Show view at any time, on the keyboard, press Esc.

The full-screen slide show will close, and you will be returned to the editing view of the file.

Tips for creating an effective presentation

Consider the following tips to keep your audience interested.

Minimize the number of slides

To maintain a clear message and to keep your audience attentive and interested, keep the number of slides in your presentation to a minimum.

Choose an audience-friendly font size

The audience must be able to read your slides from a distance. Generally speaking, a font size smaller than 30 might be too difficult for the audience to see.

Keep your slide text simple

You want your audience to listen to you present your information, instead of reading the screen. Use bullets or short sentences, and try to keep each item to one line.

Some projectors crop slides at the edges, so that long sentences might be cropped.

Use visuals to help express your message

Pictures, charts, graphs, and SmartArt graphics provide visual cues for your audience to remember. Add meaningful art to complement the text and messaging on your slides.

As with text, however, avoid including too many visual aids on your slide.

Make labels for charts and graphs understandable

Use only enough text to make label elements in a chart or graph comprehensible.

Apply subtle, consistent slide backgrounds

Choose an appealing, consistent template or theme that is not too eye-catching. You don't want the background or design to detract from your message.

However, you also want to provide a contrast between the background color and text color. The built-in themes in PowerPoint set the contrast between a light background with dark colored text or dark background with light colored text.

For more information about how to use themes, see Apply a theme to add color and style to your presentation .

Check the spelling and grammar

To earn and maintain the respect of your audience, always check the spelling and grammar in your presentation .

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