step by step instructions for creating a powerpoint presentation

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How to Make a PowerPoint Presentation (Step-by-Step)

• PowerPoint Tutorials
• Presentation Design
• January 22, 2024

In this beginner’s guide, you will learn step-by-step how to make a PowerPoint presentation from scratch.

While PowerPoint is designed to be intuitive and accessible, it can be overwhelming if you’ve never gotten any training on it before. As you progress through this guide, you’ll will learn how to move from blank slides to PowerPoint slides that look like these.

Table of Contents

Additionally, as you create your presentation, you’ll also learn tricks for working more efficiently in PowerPoint, including how to:

• Change the slide order
• Reset your layout
• Change the slide dimensions
• Use PowerPoint Designer
• Format text
• Format objects
• Play a presentation (slide show)

With this knowledge under your belt, you’ll be ready to start creating PowerPoint presentations. Moreover, you’ll have taken your skills from beginner to proficient in no time at all. I will also include links to more advanced PowerPoint topics.

Ready to start learning how to make a PowerPoint presentation?

Take your PPT skills to the next level

Start with a blank presentation.

Note: Before you open PowerPoint and start creating your presentation, make sure you’ve collected your thoughts. If you’re going to make your slides compelling, you need to spend some time brainstorming.

For help with this, see our article with tips for nailing your business presentation  here .

The first thing you’ll need to do is to open PowerPoint. When you do, you are shown the Start Menu , with the Home tab open.

This is where you can choose either a blank theme (1) or a pre-built theme (2). You can also choose to open an existing presentation (3).

For now, go ahead and click on the  Blank Presentation (1)  thumbnail.

Doing so launches a brand new and blank presentation for you to work with. Before you start adding content to your presentation, let’s first familiarize ourselves with the PowerPoint interface.

The PowerPoint interface

Here is how the program is laid out:

• The Application Header
• The Ribbon (including the Ribbon tabs)
• The Quick Access Toolbar (either above or below the Ribbon)
• The Slides Pane (slide thumbnails)

The Slide Area

The notes pane.

• The Status Bar (including the View Buttons)

Each one of these areas has options for viewing certain parts of the PowerPoint environment and formatting your presentation.

Below are the important things to know about certain elements of the PowerPoint interface.

The PowerPoint Ribbon

The Ribbon is contextual. That means that it will adapt to what you’re doing in the program.

For example, the Font, Paragraph and Drawing options are greyed out until you select something that has text in it, as in the example below (A).

Furthermore, if you start manipulating certain objects, the Ribbon will display additional tabs, as seen above (B), with more commands and features to help you work with those objects. The following objects have their own additional tabs in the Ribbon which are hidden until you select them:

• Online Pictures
• Screenshots
• Screen Recording

The Slides Pane

This is where you can preview and rearrange all the slides in your presentation.

Right-clicking on a slide  in the pane gives you additional options on the slide level that you won’t find on the Ribbon, such as  Duplicate Slide ,  Delete Slide , and  Hide Slide .

In addition, you can add sections to your presentation by  right-clicking anywhere in this Pane  and selecting  Add Section . Sections are extremely helpful in large presentations, as they allow you to organize your slides into chunks that you can then rearrange, print or display differently from other slides.

The Slide Area (A) is where you will build out your slides. Anything within the bounds of this area will be visible when you present or print your presentation.

Anything outside of this area (B) will be hidden from view. This means that you can place things here, such as instructions for each slide, without worrying about them being shown to your audience.

The  Notes Pane  is the space beneath the Slide Area where you can type in the speaker notes for each slide. It’s designed as a fast way to add and edit your slides’ talking points.

To expand your knowledge and learn more about adding, printing, and exporting your PowerPoint speaker notes, read our guide here .

Your speaker notes are visible when you print your slides using the Notes Pages option and when you use the Presenter View . To expand your knowledge and learn the ins and outs of using the Presenter View , read our guide here .

You can resize the  Notes Pane  by clicking on its edge and dragging it up or down (A). You can also minimize or reopen it by clicking on the Notes button in the Status Bar (B).

Note:  Not all text formatting displays in the Notes Pane, even though it will show up when printing your speaker notes. To learn more about printing PowerPoint with notes, read our guide here .

Now that you have a basic grasp of the PowerPoint interface at your disposal, it’s time to make your presentation.

Adding Content to Your PowerPoint Presentation

Notice that in the Slide Area , there are two rectangles with dotted outlines. These are called  Placeholders  and they’re set on the template in the Slide Master View .

To expand your knowledge and learn how to create a PowerPoint template of your own (which is no small task), read our guide here .

As the prompt text suggests, you can click into each placeholder and start typing text. These types of placeholder prompts are customizable too. That means that if you are using a company template, it might say something different, but the functionality is the same.

Note:  For the purposes of this example, I will create a presentation based on the content in the Starbucks 2018 Global Social Impact Report, which is available to the public on their website.

If you type in more text than there is room for, PowerPoint will automatically reduce its font size. You can stop this behavior by clicking on the  Autofit Options  icon to the left of the placeholder and selecting  Stop Fitting Text to this Placeholder .

Next, you can make formatting adjustments to your text by selecting the commands in the Font area and the  Paragraph area  of the  Home  tab of the Ribbon.

The Reset Command:  If you make any changes to your title and decide you want to go back to how it was originally, you can use the Reset button up in the Home tab .

Insert More Slides into Your Presentation

Now that you have your title slide filled in, it’s time to add more slides. To do that, simply go up to the  Home tab  and click on  New Slide . This inserts a new slide in your presentation right after the one you were on.

You can alternatively hit Ctrl+M on your keyboard to insert a new blank slide in PowerPoint. To learn more about this shortcut, see my guide on using Ctrl+M in PowerPoint .

Instead of clicking the New Slide command, you can also open the New Slide dropdown to see all the slide layouts in your PowerPoint template. Depending on who created your template, your layouts in this dropdown can be radically different.

If you insert a layout and later want to change it to a different layout, you can use the Layout dropdown instead of the New Slide dropdown.

After inserting a few different slide layouts, your presentation might look like the following picture. Don’t worry that it looks blank, next we will start adding content to your presentation.

If you want to follow along exactly with me, your five slides should be as follows:

• Title Slide
• Title and Content
• Section Header
• Two Content
• Picture with Caption

Adding Content to Your Slides

Now let’s go into each slide and start adding our content. You’ll notice some new types of placeholders.

On slide 2 we have a  Content Placeholder , which allows you to add any kind of content. That includes:

• A SmartArt graphic,
• A 3D object,
• A picture from the web,
• Or an icon.

To insert text, simply type it in or hit  Ctrl+C to Copy  and Ctrl+V to Paste  from elsewhere. To insert any of the other objects, click on the appropriate icon and follow the steps to insert it.

For my example, I’ll simply type in some text as you can see in the picture below.

Slides 3 and 4 only have text placeholders, so I’ll go ahead and add in my text into each one.

On slide 5 we have a Picture Placeholder . That means that the only elements that can go into it are:

• A picture from the web

To insert a picture into the picture placeholder, simply:

• Click on the  Picture  icon
• Find  a picture on your computer and select it
• Click on  Insert

Alternatively, if you already have a picture open somewhere else, you can select the placeholder and paste in (shortcut: Ctrl+V ) the picture. You can also drag the picture in from a file explorer window.

If you do not like the background of the picture you inserted onto your slide, you can remove the background here in PowerPoint. To see how to do this, read my guide here .

Placeholders aren’t the only way to add content to your slides. At any point, you can use the Insert tab to add elements to your slides.

You can use either the Title Only  or the  Blank  slide layout to create slides for content that’s different. For example, a three-layout content slide, or a single picture divider slide, as shown below.

In the first example above, I’ve inserted 6 text boxes, 3 icons, and 3 circles to create this layout. In the second example, I’ve inserted a full-sized picture and then 2 shapes and 2 text boxes.

The Reset Command:  Because these slides are built with shapes and text boxes (and not placeholders), hitting the  Reset button up in the  Home tab  won’t do anything.

That is a good thing if you don’t want your layouts to adjust. However, it does mean that it falls on you to make sure everything is aligned and positioned correctly.

For more on how to add and manipulate the different objects in PowerPoint, check out our step-by-step articles here:

• Using graphics in PowerPoint
• Inserting icons onto slides
• Adding pictures to your PowerPoint
• How to embed a video in PowerPoint
• How to add music to your presentation

Using Designer to generate more layouts ideas

If you have Office 365, your version of PowerPoint comes with a new feature called Designer (or Design Ideas). This is a feature that generates slide layout ideas for you. The coolest thing about this feature is that it uses the content you already have.

To use Designer , simply navigate to the  Design tab  in your Ribbon, and click on  Design Ideas .

NOTE: If the PowerPoint Designer is not working for you (it is grey out), see my troubleshooting guide for Designer .

Change the Overall Design (optional)

When you make a PowerPoint presentation, you’ll want to think about the overall design. Now that you have some content in your presentation, you can use the Design tab to change the look and feel of your slides.

For additional help thinking through the design of your presentation,  read my guide here .

A. Picking your PowerPoint slide size

If you have PowerPoint 2013 or later, when you create a blank document in PowerPoint, you automatically start with a widescreen layout with a 16:9 ratio. These dimensions are suitable for most presentations as they match the screens of most computers and projectors.

However, you do have the option to change the dimensions.

For example, your presentation might not be presented, but instead converted into a PDF or printed and distributed. In that case, you can easily switch to the standard dimensions with a 4:3 ratio by selecting from the dropdown (A).

You can also choose a custom slide size or change the slide orientation from landscape to portrait in the Custom Slide Size dialog box (B).

To learn all about the different PowerPoint slide sizes, and some of the issues you will face when changing the slide size of a non-blank presentation,  read my guide here .

 B. Selecting a PowerPoint theme

The next thing you can do is change the theme of your presentation to a pre-built one. For a detailed explanation of what a PowerPoint theme is, and how to best use it,  read my article here .

In the beginning of this tutorial, we started with a blank presentation, which uses the default Office theme as you can see in the picture below.

That gives you the most flexibility because it has a blank background and quite simple layouts that work for most presentations. However, it also means that it’s your responsibility to enhance the design.

If you’re comfortable with this, you can stay with the default theme or create your own custom theme ( read my guide here ). But if you would rather not have to think about design, then you can choose a pre-designed theme.

Microsoft provides 46 other pre-built themes, which include slide layouts, color variants and palettes, and fonts. Each one varies quite significantly, so make sure you look through them carefully.

To select a different theme, go to the  Design tab  in the Ribbon, and click on the  dropdown arrow  in the  Themes section .

For this tutorial, let’s select the  Frame  theme and then choose the third Variant in the theme. Doing so changes the layout, colors, and fonts of your presentation.

Note: The theme dropdown area is also where you can import or save custom themes. To see my favorite places to find professional PowerPoint templates and themes (and recommendations for why I like them), read my guide here .

C. How to change a slide background in PowerPoint

The next thing to decide is how you want your background to look for the entire presentation. In the  Variants area, you can see four background options.

For this example, we want our presentation to have a dark background, so let’s select Style 3. When you do so, you’ll notice that:

• The background color automatically changes across all slides
• The color of the text on most of the slides automatically changes to white so that it’s visible on the dark background
• The colors of the objects on slides #6 and #7 also adjust, in a way we may not want (we’ll likely have to make some manual adjustments to these slides)

Note: If you want to change the slide background for just that one slide, don’t left-click the style. Instead, right-click it and select Apply to Selected Slides .

After you change the background for your entire presentation, you can easily adjust the background for an individual slide.

Inside the Format Background pane, you can see you have the following options:

• Gradient fill
• Picture or texture fill
• Pattern fill
• Hide background

You can explore these options to find the PowerPoint background that best fits your presentation.

D. How to change your color palette in PowerPoint

Another thing you may want to adjust in your presentation, is the color scheme. In the picture below you can see the Theme Colors we are currently using for this presentation.

Each PowerPoint theme comes with its own color palette. By default, the Office theme includes the Office color palette. This affects the colors you are presented with when you format any element within your presentation (text, shapes, SmartArt, etc.).

The good news is that the colors here are easy to change. To switch color palettes, simply:

• Go to the  Design tab in the Ribbon
• In the Variants area, click on the  dropdown arrow  and select  Colors
• Select  the color palette (or theme colors) you want

You can choose among the pre-built color palettes from Office, or you can customize them to create your own.

As you build your presentation, make sure you use the colors from your theme to format objects. That way, changing the color palette adjusts all the colors in your presentation automatically.

E. How to change your fonts in PowerPoint

Just as we changed the color palette, you can do the same for the fonts.

Each PowerPoint theme comes with its own font combination. By default, the Office theme includes the Office font pairing. This affects the fonts that are automatically assigned to all text in your presentation.

The good news is that the font pairings are easy to change. To switch your Theme Fonts, simply:

• Go to the  Design tab  in the Ribbon
• Click on the  dropdown arrow  in the  Variants  area
• Select  Fonts
• Select  the font pairing you want

You can choose among the pre-built fonts from Office, or you can customize them to create your own.

If you are working with PowerPoint presentations on both Mac and PC computers, make sure you choose a safe PowerPoint font. To see a list of the safest PowerPoint fonts, read our guide here .

If you receive a PowerPoint presentation and the wrong fonts were used, you can use the Replace Fonts dialog box to change the fonts across your entire presentation. For details, read our guide here .

Adding Animations & Transitions (optional)

The final step to make a PowerPoint presentation compelling, is to consider using animations and transitions. These are by no means necessary to a good presentation, but they may be helpful in your situation.

A. Adding PowerPoint animations

PowerPoint has an incredibly robust animations engine designed to power your creativity. That being said, it’s also easy to get started with basic animations.

Animations are movements that you can apply to individual objects on your slide.

To add a PowerPoint animation to an element of your slide, simply:

• Select the  element
• Go to the  Animations tab in the Ribbon
• Click on the  dropdown arrow  to view your options
• Select the  animation  you want

You can add animations to multiple objects at one time by selecting them all first and then applying the animation.

B. How to preview a PowerPoint animation

There are three ways to preview a PowerPoint animation:

• Click on the Preview button in the Animations tab
• Click on the little star  next to the slide
• Play the slide in Slide Show Mode

To learn other ways to run your slide show, see our guide on presenting a PowerPoint slide show with shortcuts .

To adjust the settings of your animations, explore the options in the  Effect Options ,  Advanced Animation  and the  Timing  areas of the  Animation tab .

Note:  To see how to make objects appear and disappear in your slides by clicking a button,  read our guide here .

C. How to manage your animations in PowerPoint

The best way to manage lots of animations on your slide is with the Animation Pane . To open it, simply:

• Navigate to the  Animations tab
• Select the  Animation Pane

Inside the Animation Pane, you’ll see all of the different animations that have been applied to objects on your slide, with their numbers marked as pictured above.

Note: To see examples of PowerPoint animations that can use in PowerPoint, see our list of PowerPoint animation tutorials here .

D. How to add transitions to your PowerPoint presentation

PowerPoint has an incredibly robust transition engine so that you can dictate how your slides change from one to the other. It is also extremely easy to add transitions to your slides.

In PowerPoint, transitions are the movements (or effects) you see as you move between two slides.

To add a transition to a PowerPoint slide, simply:

• Select the  slide
• Go to the  Transitions tab in the Ribbon
• In the Transitions to This Slide area, click on the  dropdown arrow  to view your options
• Select the  transition  you want

To adjust the settings of the transition, explore the options in the  Timing  area of the Transitions tab.

You can also add the same transition to multiple slides. To do that, select them in the  Slides Pane  and apply the transition.

E. How to preview a transition in PowerPoint

There are three ways to preview your PowerPoint transitions (just like your animations):

• Click on the Preview  button in the Transitions tab
• Click on the little star  beneath the slide number in the thumbnail view

Note:  In 2016, PowerPoint added a cool new transition, called Morph. It operates a bit differently from other transitions. For a detailed tutorial on how to use the cool Morph transition,  see our step-by-step article here .

Save Your PowerPoint Presentation

After you’ve built your presentation and made all the adjustments to your slides, you’ll want to save your presentation. YOu can do this several different ways.

To save a PowerPoint presentation using your Ribbon, simply:

• Navigate to the  File tab
•  Select  Save As  on the left
• Choose  where you want to save your presentation
• Name  your presentation and/or adjust your file type settings
• Click  Save

You can alternatively use the  Ctrl+S keyboard shortcut to save your presentation. I recommend using this shortcut frequently as you build your presentation to make sure you don’t lose any of your work.

This is the standard way to save a presentation. However, there may be a situation where you want to save your presentation as a different file type.

To learn how to save your presentation as a PDF, see our guide on converting PowerPoint to a PDF .

How to save your PowerPoint presentation as a template

Once you’ve created a presentation that you like, you may want to turn it into a template. The easiest – but not technically correct – way, is to simply create a copy of your current presentation and then change the content.

But be careful! A PowerPoint template is a special type of document and it has its own parameters and behaviors.

If you’re interested in learning about how to create your own PowerPoint template from scratch, see our guide on how to create a PowerPoint template .

Printing Your PowerPoint Presentation

After finishing your PowerPoint presentation, you may want to print it out on paper. Printing your slides is relatively easy.

To open the Print dialog box, you can either:

• Hit Ctrl+P on your keyboard
• Or go to the Ribbon and click on File and then Print

Inside the Print dialog box, you can choose from the various printing settings:

• Printer: Select a printer to use (or print to PDF or OneNote)
• Slides: Choose which slides you want to print
• Layout: Determine how many slides you want per page (this is where you can print the notes, outline, and handouts)
• Collated or uncollated (learn what collated printing means here )
• Color: Choose to print in color, grayscale or black & white

There are many more options for printing your PowerPoint presentations. Here are links to more in-depth articles:

• How to print multiple slides per page
• How to print your speaker notes in PowerPoint
• How to save PowerPoint as a picture presentation

So that’s how to create a PowerPoint presentation if you are brand new to it. We’ve also included a ton of links to helpful resources to boost your PowerPoint skills further.

When you are creating your presentation, it is critical to first focus on the content (what you are trying to say) before getting lost inserting and playing with elements. The clearer you are on what you want to present, the easier it will be to build it out in PowerPoint.

If you enjoyed this article, you can learn more about our PowerPoint training courses and other presentation resources by  visiting us here .

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6 Simple Parts for Beginners to Create a PowerPoint Presentation

Last Updated: December 19, 2022 Fact Checked

Creating a New PowerPoint

Creating the title slide, adding a new slide, adding content to slides, adding transitions, testing and saving your presentation.

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Darlene Antonelli, MA . Darlene Antonelli is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. Darlene has experience teaching college courses, writing technology-related articles, and working hands-on in the technology field. She earned an MA in Writing from Rowan University in 2012 and wrote her thesis on online communities and the personalities curated in such communities. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 4,318,023 times. Learn more...

Do you want to have your data in a slide show? If you have Microsoft 365, you can use PowerPoint! PowerPoint is a program that's part of the Microsoft Office suite (which you have to pay for) and is available for both Windows and Mac computers. This wikiHow teaches you how to create your own Microsoft PowerPoint presentation on a computer.

Things You Should Know

• Templates make it easy to create vibrant presentations no matter your skill level.
• When adding photos, you can adjust their sizes by clicking and dragging in or out from their corners.
• You can add animated transitions between slides or to individual elements like bullet points and blocks of text.

• If you don't have a Microsoft Office 365 subscription, you can use the website instead of the desktop app. Go to https://powerpoint.office.com/ to use the website version.
• You can also use the mobile app to make presentations, though it's easier to do this on a computer, which has a larger screen, a mouse, and a keyboard.

• If you don't want to use a template, just click the Blank option in the upper-left side of the page and skip to the next part.

• Skip this step if your selected template has no themes available.

• If you're creating a PowerPoint presentation for which an elaborate title slide has been requested, ignore this step.

• You can change the font and size of text used from the Home tab that's in the orange ribbon at the top of the window.

• You can also just leave this box blank if you like.

• You can also click and drag in or out one of a text box's corners to shrink or enlarge the text box.

• On a Mac, you'll click the Home tab instead. [1] X Research source

• Clicking the white slide-shaped box above this option will result in a new text slide being inserted.

• Title Slide
• Title and Content
• Section Header
• Two Content
• Content with Caption
• Picture with Caption

• Naturally, the title slide should be the first slide in your presentation, meaning that it should be the top slide in the left-hand column.

• Skip this step and the next two steps if your selected slide uses a template that doesn't have text boxes in it.

• Text boxes in PowerPoint will automatically format the bulk of your text for you (e.g., adding bullet points) based on the context of the content itself.
• You can add notes that the Presentation will not include (but you'll still be able to see them on your screen) by clicking Notes at the bottom of the slide.

• You can change the font of the selected text by clicking the current font's name and then clicking your preferred font.
• If you want to change the size of the text, click the numbered drop-down box and then click a larger or smaller number based on whether you want to enlarge or shrink the text.
• You can also change the color, bolding, italicization, underlining, and so on from here.

• Photos in particular can be enlarged or shrunk by clicking and dragging out or in one of their corners.

• Remember to keep slides uncluttered and relatively free of distractions. It's best to keep the amount of text per slide to around 33 words or less. [2] X Research source

• Slide content will animate in the order in which you assign transitions. For example, if you animate a photo on the slide and then animate the title, the photo will appear before the title.
• Make your slideshow progress automatically by setting the speed of every transition to align with your speech as well as setting each slide to Advance . [3] X Trustworthy Source Microsoft Support Technical support and product information from Microsoft. Go to source

• If you need to exit the presentation, press Esc .

• Windows - Click File , click Save , double-click This PC , select a save location, enter a name for your presentation, and click Save .
• Mac - Click File , click Save As... , enter the presentation's name in the "Save As" field, select a save location by clicking the "Where" box and clicking a folder, and click Save .

Community Q&A

• If you save your PowerPoint presentation in .pps format instead of the default .ppt format, double-clicking your PowerPoint presentation file will prompt the presentation to open directly into the slideshow view. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 0
• If you don't have Microsoft Office, you can still use Apple's Keynote program or Google Slides to create a PowerPoint presentation. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• Your PowerPoint presentation (or some features in it) may not open in significantly older versions of PowerPoint. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1
• Great PowerPoint presentations avoid placing too much text on one slide. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://onedrive.live.com/view.aspx?resid=DBDCE00C929AA5D8!252&ithint=file%2cpptx&app=PowerPoint&authkey=!AH4O9NxcbehqzIg
• ↑ https://www.virtualsalt.com/powerpoint.htm
• ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/set-the-timing-and-speed-of-a-transition-c3c3c66f-4cca-4821-b8b9-7de0f3f6ead1#:~:text=To%20make%20the%20slide%20advance,effect%20on%20the%20slide%20finishes .

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How to Make a PowerPoint Presentation? (Step-by-Step Guide)

Have you ever been asked to give a presentation, but weren’t sure how to make a PowerPoint presentation? Knowing how to create an effective and professional PowerPoint presentation can be a useful skill for any professional.

In this article, we’ll provide a step-by-step guide on how to make a PowerPoint presentation and ensure it is engaging and effective.

We will cover topics such as determining the purpose and desired outcome, gathering and organizing the content, designing the slides, incorporating visuals, selecting a font, practicing the presentation, and finally finalizing the presentation.

Read on to learn how to make a PowerPoint presentation that will be sure to wow your audience.

Table of Contents

Short Answer

Making a PowerPoint presentation is a relatively easy process.

Firstly, open a blank PowerPoint presentation by launching the program.

Then, select a theme or template for your presentation.

Next, add content to the slides, such as text, images, and animations.

Finally, use the ‘Slide Show’ tab to practice presenting and save the presentation when you’re done.

Determine the Purpose and Desired Outcome

Before you create your PowerPoint presentation, it is important to take a step back and determine the purpose and desired outcome of the presentation.

Ask yourself what the goal of the presentation is and what you want the audience to take away from it.

Do you want to inform, educate, or persuade? Knowing the purpose of the presentation will help guide the design and content.

Additionally, consider the audience and the material that is most appropriate for them.

For example, a presentation for a group of experts should include more technical information than one for a general audience.

With the purpose and desired outcome in mind, you can then begin to gather the necessary content and organize it.

Gather and Organize the Content

Gathering and organizing the content for a PowerPoint presentation is the first step in the process and is essential to ensure its success.

It is important to start the process by identifying the purpose of the presentation and the desired outcome.

Once these have been determined, the next step is to gather all the necessary information and organize it in a way that will be easy to understand and follow.

When gathering content, it is important to have reliable sources and to be sure to cite any material used from outside sources.

Additionally, it is important to include only the most pertinent information for the presentation.

This will help to keep the audience engaged and ensure that the presentation is concise and to the point.

Once all the content has been gathered, it is time to organize it.

Organizing the content will help to ensure that the presentation flows smoothly and logically.

Start by creating an outline of the presentation that includes the main points and any supporting details.

It is also helpful to divide the content into sections or subsections, depending on the length of the presentation.

Additionally, it is important to consider the order in which the content should be presented, as this will help to ensure that the audience is able to follow the presentation from beginning to end.

Once the content is organized, the next step is to design the slides.

Design the Slides

Designing the slides of a PowerPoint presentation is a crucial step.

This is where you will be able to create an engaging experience for your audience.

When designing your slides, it is important to keep a few things in mind.

First, keep the design simple.

Too much text or too many visuals can be overwhelming for the audience.

Second, use visuals that are relevant and visually appealing.

Be sure to incorporate images, charts, and graphs that help illustrate the points you are making.

Lastly, choose a font that is easy to read.

Using a font size that is too small or a font that is too decorative can be difficult to read and make your presentation difficult to follow.

With these tips in mind, you will be able to create an effective and engaging PowerPoint presentation.

Incorporate Visuals

When creating a PowerPoint presentation, visuals can help engage an audience and reinforce your key points.

Visuals can include images, charts, graphs, and other graphics, as well as animations and videos.

The visuals should be appropriate for the topic and audience and should be used to enhance the presentation rather than overwhelm it.

When selecting visuals, it is important to consider the purpose of the presentation.

If the goal is to inform, visuals should be used to illustrate data or concepts.

If the goal is to persuade, visuals should be used to show the benefits or consequences of an action.

In either case, visuals should be relevant and easy to understand.

When adding visuals to a slide, it is important to consider the size and placement of the visual.

For example, if the visual is an image, it should be large enough to be clearly visible, but not so large that it takes up the entire slide.

Additionally, it should be placed in the most effective location on the slide.

Too much text or too many visuals can be distracting, so it is important to keep the slide simple and uncluttered.

Incorporating visuals into a PowerPoint presentation can help engage an audience and reinforce key points.

When selecting visuals, it is important to consider the purpose of the presentation and the desired outcome.

Additionally, it is important to consider the size and placement of the visual on the slide in order to keep the presentation uncluttered and effective.

Select a Font

Font selection is an important part of creating an effective PowerPoint presentation.

The font used should be professional and easy to read.

It should also reflect the tone and content of the presentation.

Popular choices for PowerPoint presentations include sans serif fonts like Arial and Calibri.

Serif fonts, such as Times New Roman and Georgia, can also be used but may be more difficult to read.

It is important to select a font size that is appropriate for the audience.

Smaller fonts may be difficult to read, while larger fonts may be too overwhelming.

Consider using a different font for titles and subtitles to add variety and emphasize important points.

With the right combination of font type and size, a professional and engaging PowerPoint presentation can be created.

Practice the Presentation

Practicing the presentation is the final step in creating an effective PowerPoint presentation.

It is important to practice in order to ensure that all the content is accurate and that the presentation is delivered confidently.

Before practicing, it is helpful to set up a mock audience to practice in front of.

This will help to prepare for any questions and ensure that the presentation is presented in an organized manner.

When practicing, it is important to pay attention to the pacing, intonation, and body language.

The presenter should practice speaking in a clear and concise manner, using pauses to emphasize key points.

They should also practice using appropriate facial expressions and body language to ensure that the presentation is engaging and inviting.

Lastly, the presenter should practice speaking in a natural and conversational tone to keep the audience engaged.

Practicing the presentation is key to success.

It allows the presenter to become familiar with the content and practice their delivery.

With adequate practice, the presenter will be able to create an engaging and successful PowerPoint presentation.

Finalize the Presentation

Once the content is ready and the slides are designed, the next step is to finalize the presentation.

This includes making sure that all the visuals, slides, and fonts are properly implemented.

Visuals can be used to enhance the presentation and make it more engaging, so it is important to choose images and graphics that are appropriate and relevant to the subject matter.

Additionally, the chosen font should be easy to read, as this can greatly affect the audience’s comprehension.

It is also important to think about the timing of the presentation and how long it should be.

Keep in mind that shorter is better; try to limit the total time to around 10 minutes.

After this is done, the presentation can be practiced in order to ensure confidence and effective communication.

Once the presenter is comfortable, the presentation is ready to be shared with the audience.

With the right combination of planning, design, and delivery, a successful PowerPoint presentation can be created.

With an engaging and informative presentation, audiences can gain a better understanding of the subject matter and be more likely to remember the key points.

Planning ahead and taking the time to design the slides and visuals will pay off when it comes to delivering a successful presentation.

Final Thoughts

Creating a successful PowerPoint presentation is a combination of planning, design, and delivery.

From determining the purpose and desired outcome, to gathering and organizing content, to designing the slides and incorporating visuals, to selecting a font and practicing the presentation, each step is critical in creating an effective and engaging presentation.

With the right combination of these steps, you can create an impressive PowerPoint presentation and achieve great results with your audience.

Now that you know the steps for creating a successful presentation, it’s time to get started!

James Wilson

James Wilson has extensive knowledge in the information technology industry.His second love, besides dealing with computers, is smart home technology. He is continually updating information to better comprehend this problem and has a deep understanding of the apartment’s support system.

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A step-by-step guide to captivating PowerPoint presentation design

november 20, 2023

by Corporate PowerPoint Girl

Do you often find yourself stuck with a lackluster PowerPoint presentation, desperately seeking ways to make it more engaging and visually appealing? If your boss has ever told you to "please fix" a presentation and you didn't know where to start, you're not alone. In this article, we'll walk you through a straightforward method to transform your PowerPoint slides into a visually captivating masterpiece. 

Let's dive right in! 

Clean up your slides 

The first step in this journey to presentation excellence is all about decluttering your slides and elevating their impact. Say goodbye to those uninspiring bullet points that often dominate presentations. Instead, focus on what truly matters – the key call-out numbers. By increasing the font size of these numbers, you ensure they take center stage, immediately drawing your audience's attention. 

To make those numbers pop, consider breaking the text after the numbers into the next line and adding a touch of color. The contrast created by pairing a dark color with a lighter shade, like dark teal and light teal or burnt orange with peach, can work wonders. This simple adjustment makes your data more engaging , enhancing the overall impact of your presentation. 

Add dimension with boxes 

Now, let's introduce an element of depth and organization to your slides. By adding boxes, you'll create a visually pleasing structure that guides your audience through the content. In the "Insert" menu, select "Table" and opt for a one-by-one table. Change the table color to a light gray shade, elongate it, and position it neatly to the left of your text. 

To improve readability and aesthetics, increase the spacing between text phrases. A small adjustment in the before spacing setting (setting it to 48) significantly enhances the visual appeal of your slides. 

Insert circles 

To further enhance the visual appeal and engagement of your slides, let's introduce circles. In the Insert menu, navigate to Shapes and choose the circle. Adjust the circle's height and width to 1.2, ensuring it complements your content seamlessly. Match the circle's shape fill color with the corresponding text color for a harmonious look. 

Avoid using colored outlines for the circles, as they may distract from the overall aesthetic. This simple addition of circles adds an element of visual interest to your presentation, making it more captivating. 

Choose icons 

Now, it's time for a touch of creativity. Selecting icons to complement your text can elevate the clarity and appeal of your slides. In the "Insert" menu, you can search for relevant keywords to find the perfect icon from PowerPoint's extensive library . 

For instance, if your text discusses investment portfolio yield, search for "growth" and choose an upward arrow growth icon. These icons add an extra layer of visual appeal and clarity to your content, making it more engaging and informative. 

Final touches 

To wrap up the transformation process, we come to the final touches that give your presentation a polished, professional finish. Align your icons with their corresponding circles and change the shape fill color to white. This simple adjustment creates a crisp, cohesive look that ties everything together seamlessly. 

In conclusion, by following these steps, you've embarked on a journey to enhance your PowerPoint presentation . These initial steps are just the beginning of your exploration into the world of design elements and styles that can cater to your specific presentation needs. The key to a stunning PowerPoint presentation lies in the details. By following these steps, you can turn a lackluster set of slides into a visually engaging and dynamic presentation that will captivate your audience. So, the next time your boss says, "Please fix," you'll know exactly where to start. Happy presenting! 

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How to Create a PowerPoint Presentation

Introduction: How to Create a PowerPoint Presentation

The possible uses of PowerPoint are countless.  A slide show can help a teacher teach a lesson, illustrate an event in history, easily display statistical information, or be used for training in corporations.  A slide show can be a valuable tool for teaching, sharing and learning.  Whether presenting at a conference or convincing your parents to get a puppy, PowerPoint presentations are useful no matter what the topic and help communicate ideas to an audience.  The invention of PowerPoint by Gaskins has saved presenters hours of painstakingly handcrafting displays, and created a professional and easy way to relay information.  The following are steps on how to create a basic PowerPoint presentation, however certain steps may vary slightly depending upon what version of PowerPoint you are using.  This tutorial is specifically using PowerPoint 2007.

Step 1: Launch the PowerPoint Program

When you launch the PowerPoint program, you may be prompted to pick what kind of document you want to create.  Choose to create a blank presentation.  If it does not ask you this, a blank presentation will automatically launch.

Step 2: Choosing a Design

The next thing you want to do is decide what design you want for the presentation. To do this, go to the 'Design' tab at the top of the page. Scroll through all the options and decide which one looks best for the presentation you want. To get a preview of what the design will look like before applying it to the presentation, hover over the design you want to preview. This design will be automatically continued throughout the rest of your presentation. Once you have more than one slide, you can add a different design for just one slide. To do this, select the slide you want to change the design on by clicking on it. It will pop-up as the big slide in the screen. Then you can right-click the design you want for this slide and select 'Apply to Selected Slide'. It will appear on that slide, but will not change the design of the other slides.

Step 3: Create Title Page

Click the first box that says 'Click to add title' and add the title of your presentation.  Click the bottom box to add your name, or any other subtitle that you choose.  Once you have your text in the boxes, you can change their font, size, color, etc. with the toolbar options at the top.  You can change the size of the text box by selecting it, and then dragging the corners of the box.  To move the text boxes, select the box, and move your arrow over the border of the box.  A four-arrow icon will appear, and clicking with this icon will allow you to move the text boxes wherever you choose.

Step 4: Add More Slides

Chances are, you are going to need more than one slide.  There are a few ways you can add more slides.  Notice that there is a separate area to the left of the screen where your first slide is located.  The first way to add a slide is to right-click the area under where your first slide is located and select 'New Slide'.  A new slide will appear.  The second way to add another slide it to click 'New Slide' in the toolbar above the slides.  This button is divided into two parts,. The top will insert a new slide with a default layout.  You can also click the bottom half of this button, which will allow you to choose what type of layout you want.  You can choose a slide with two text-boxes and a title, one text-box, only a title, and many other options.  You will see your new slide appear to the left under the first, as well become the large slide that you can edit.  The design you picked earlier will have carried over to this slide.  The design will carry over for the rest of the slides you create unless you decide to change just one, like described earlier.  The guideline layout you chose will appear, and you can then add in your information.

Step 5: Add Charts, Pictures, Graphs, Etc.

If you want to insert a chart, picture, graph, or any other graphic, click on the 'Insert' tab at the top of the window.  Here you will see buttons of all the options of what you can insert into your slide.  Click the designated box and insert what it is you want to have on that slide.  A second way you can insert pictures and graphs is when you have an empty text or image box.  Little pictures of the same options you saw in the toolbox will show up in the middle of the box, and you can click any of these to insert as well.  Once you have your chart or picture, you can add a border or edit it however you want in the 'Format' tab.

Step 6: Add Transitions

To add transitions in between your slides, click the 'Animations' tab at the top of the page.  Here you can scroll through all the options of transitions, and hover over them to see a preview.  Select the slide you want the transition applied to, and then click the transition you chose.  You can do this for every slide, selecting the same or different transitions.

Step 7: Changing the Order

Once you have all your slides made, you can change the order of the slides.  To do this, click and drag the slides from where they are to where you want them in the order.  Another possibility, which is particularly useful if you presentation is longer, is to click the 'Outline' button.  You can find this small button above the left area where all your slides are located smaller, directly to the right of the 'Slides' button.  Here you will see a list of all your slides and you can click and drag your slides to where you want them.

Step 8: Play the Presentation

Once you have all your slides completed and in the order you want, view your slideshow.  Click the 'Slide Show' tab at the top of the page and select 'From Beginning'.  You can go through your entire slideshow, and change slides by clicking or pressing the right arrow.  A shortcut to this is pressing F5.  Congratulations! You have now made a PowerPoint presentation.

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How to Create a PowerPoint Presentation Step by Step: 2024 Guide

Creating a PowerPoint presentation is a skill that’s become essential whether you’re a student, professional, or just looking to organize your thoughts visually. A PowerPoint presentation can help you communicate ideas, pitch proposals, or educate an audience with ease. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps of creating an attention-grabbing presentation from scratch, so let’s dive in.

Step by Step Tutorial: Creating a PowerPoint Presentation

Creating a PowerPoint presentation might seem daunting at first, but by following these simple steps, you’ll be able to craft a compelling presentation that captivates your audience. This tutorial will guide you through the process of creating a presentation, from opening PowerPoint to adding the finishing touches.

Step 1: Open PowerPoint and Choose a Template

Open Microsoft PowerPoint on your computer and select a template that fits your presentation’s theme and purpose.

Choosing the right template is crucial as it lays the foundation for your presentation’s design. PowerPoint offers a variety of templates to suit different needs, from business presentations to educational slideshows. Pick one that reflects the tone you want to set.

Step 2: Create Title Slide

Add a title slide by clicking on the “New Slide” button and selecting “Title Slide” from the options.

Your title slide is the first impression your audience will get, so make it count. Include the title of your presentation, your name, and any other relevant information. Keep it simple and eye-catching.

Step 3: Add Content Slides

Add new slides for your content by clicking on the “New Slide” button and choose the layout that best fits your information.

For each new slide, think about the best way to present your information. Will it be a bullet list, a graph, or an image? PowerPoint provides different slide layouts that can help you organize your content effectively.

Step 4: Insert Text

Click on the text boxes to add titles, subtitles, and bullet points to your slides.

When inserting text, it’s essential to be concise and to the point. Use bullet points or short sentences to make your slides easy to read and understand.

Step 5: Add Images, Charts, and Media

Enhance your slides by inserting images, charts, graphs, and other media to support your content.

Visuals can be a powerful tool to complement your message and keep your audience engaged. Make sure to use high-quality images and charts that are relevant to your content.

Step 6: Customize Slide Design

Customize the design of your slides by adjusting the background, colors, and fonts to make your presentation more visually appealing.

Your presentation’s design should reflect your content and audience. Customize your slides’ look and feel by using colors and fonts that are easy on the eyes and consistent throughout the presentation.

Step 7: Add Transitions and Animations

Apply transitions between slides and animations to text or objects to make your presentation more dynamic.

Transitions and animations can help maintain your audience’s interest, but use them sparingly. Too many animations can be distracting and may take away from your content.

Step 8: Review and Edit

Review your slides for any typos, inaccuracies, or design inconsistencies, and make the necessary edits.

It’s always good practice to review your presentation before the final show. Check for any mistakes or design issues that could detract from your message.

Step 9: Practice Your Presentation

Practice presenting your slides to ensure you are familiar with the content and the flow of your presentation.

Practicing your presentation helps you become more comfortable with the material and timings. It also allows you to make any last-minute adjustments to your slides.

Step 10: Save and Share

Save your presentation and share it with your audience, either by email, cloud storage, or by presenting it live.

Once your presentation is complete, save it in the appropriate format and share it with your audience. You can share it via email, a cloud storage service, or present it live during a meeting or class.

After completing these steps, you will have a well-structured and visually appealing PowerPoint presentation ready to impress your audience.

Tips for Creating a PowerPoint Presentation

• Keep your slides simple and uncluttered to maintain your audience’s attention.
• Use high-contrast text and background colors for readability.
• Limit the number of bullet points per slide to avoid overwhelming your audience.
• Use high-quality images and avoid stretching them to maintain professionalism.
• Rehearse your presentation multiple times to ensure a smooth delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many slides should a powerpoint presentation have.

The number of slides in your presentation should be dictated by the content and the time available. As a general rule, try not to exceed one slide per minute of presentation time.

Can I use videos in my PowerPoint presentation?

Yes, you can insert videos into your PowerPoint slides. Make sure they are relevant to your content and that you have the necessary rights to use them.

What is the best font size to use for PowerPoint presentations?

A font size of at least 24 points is recommended for readability, but this may vary depending on your audience and the size of the screen.

How can I make my PowerPoint presentation more engaging?

To make your presentation more engaging, use storytelling, ask questions, include interactive elements, and use relevant visuals to complement your message.

Can I access PowerPoint presentations on different devices?

Yes, you can access PowerPoint presentations on different devices as long as you have the PowerPoint app installed or access to PowerPoint Online.

• Open PowerPoint and choose a template.
• Create a title slide.
• Add content slides.
• Insert text.
• Add images, charts, and media.
• Customize slide design.
• Add transitions and animations.
• Review and edit.
• Practice your presentation.
• Save and share.

Creating a compelling PowerPoint presentation requires a blend of clear content, engaging visuals, and confident delivery. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can build a presentation that not only looks professional but also keeps your audience invested in what you have to say. Remember, the key to a successful presentation is preparation. Take the time to practice, edit, and refine your slides until they convey your message effectively and effortlessly. As PowerPoint continues to evolve, stay updated with the latest features to ensure your presentations stand out. Whether you’re in the classroom, boardroom, or conference hall, a well-crafted PowerPoint presentation can be the difference between leaving a lasting impact or being quickly forgotten. So go ahead, use this 2024 guide to create a powerpoint presentation that’s not just good, but great.

Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.

After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.

His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.

Read his full bio here.

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Step By Step Guide On How To Make A PowerPoint Presentation

Create and share interesting and engaging presentations with PowerPoint.

PowerPoint is a widely-used presentation software that allows users to create dynamic and engaging presentations for a variety of purposes.

Whether it's for school projects, business presentations, or personal use, PowerPoint provides a user-friendly platform to present information in an organized and visually appealing way.

Before we dive in, it’s important to mention that there are numerous ways to make a PowerPoint presentation. We put this guide together for you to get the lowdown of PowerPoint in the easiest way possible without any overwhelm.

Now, let’s get into it!

Steps On How To Make A PowerPoint 🤔

Frequently asked questions 🙋, it’s a wrap 🎁.

Important disclosure: we're proud affiliates of some tools mentioned in this guide. If you click an affiliate link and subsequently make a purchase, we will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you (you pay nothing extra). For more information, read our affiliate disclosure .

Here are some basic instructions on how to make a PowerPoint presentation:

• Open the Microsoft PowerPoint program on your computer. If you don't have it installed, you can download it from the Microsoft website or use the free online version.

2. Once you have opened PowerPoint, you can choose a design for your presentation. You can choose a pre-made template or create your own design .

3. You can add slides by clicking on the "New Slide" button on the top left corner or by using the shortcut "Ctrl + M" . You can also duplicate slides if you want to keep the same layout.

4. To add content to your slides, you can click on the text boxes and start typing. You can also insert images, videos, charts, tables, and other objects by clicking on the "Insert" tab on the top menu.

The world is your oyster to completely customize your presentation and make it truly unique.

5. You can customize your presentation by changing the background, font, and color scheme. You can also add transitions between slides and animations to make your presentation more dynamic.

6. Once you have finished creating your presentation, you should save it by clicking on the "Save" button in the top left corner. You can also choose to save it as a PDF or other formats.

7. To present your slides, click on the "Slideshow" button in the bottom right corner. You can also use the shortcut "F5" . You can navigate through your slides using the arrow keys or by clicking on the screen .

What is the first step in creating a PowerPoint presentation? Open the PowerPoint program on your computer or PowerPoint online and choose a design or create your own design.

How do I add content to my PowerPoint presentation? Add content by clicking on the text boxes and typing in your text. You can also insert images, videos, charts, tables, and other objects by clicking on the "Insert" tab on the top menu.

How do I customize the design of my PowerPoint presentation? Customize the design of your presentation by changing the background, font, and color scheme. You can also add transitions between slides and animations to make your presentation more dynamic.

Can I collaborate with others on a PowerPoint presentation? Yes, you can! You have a few options here. Collaborate with others on a PowerPoint presentation by using the "Share" feature, convert the presentation to Google Slides, or upload it to Google Drive, a cloud-based storage service.

How do I present my PowerPoint presentation? Click on the "Slideshow" button in the bottom right corner. You can also use the shortcut "F5". You can navigate through your slides using the arrow keys or by clicking on the screen.

How do I save my PowerPoint presentation? To save your PowerPoint presentation, click on the "Save" button in the top left corner. You can also choose to save it as a PDF or other formats.

How long should my PowerPoint presentation be? The length of your PowerPoint presentation depends on the presentation's purpose and target audience. Generally speaking, presentations range from anywhere between 5 to 30 minutes, but it's important to keep in mind the attention span of your audience and to avoid adding fluff to your presentation. Keep it concise, engaging, and informative.

Creating a PowerPoint presentation may seem daunting at first, but with these basic instructions, you can create a professional and engaging presentation in no time.

By choosing a design, adding slides and content, customizing your presentation, and saving it properly, you can easily present your ideas to an audience in a clear and concise manner .

So whether you're presenting in a classroom or a boardroom, PowerPoint can be a valuable tool to help you communicate your message effectively .

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Microsoft 365 Life Hacks > Presentations > Five tips for choosing the right PowerPoint template

Five tips for choosing the right PowerPoint template

The design or template you choose can greatly influence the success of your presentation, either capturing your audience’s attention or leaving them disengaged. To make a lasting impression on your audience, utilize these five tips when selecting your PowerPoint presentation template.

How do you choose a template in PowerPoint?

The initial step in creating your PowerPoint presentation is choosing the appropriate design. To effectively select the best PowerPoint template for your presentation, there are several components you should consider. These components include the following:

1. Consider your audience

The first component you should consider is your audience. Is the presentation intended for a formal setting, such as in a business context, or will it be delivered in a more informal gathering? Are the viewers going to review the slides virtually , in-person, or will they be viewing the presentation independently? What are the demographics of your audience? It’s crucial to contemplate your audience before outlining your presentation, as they significantly influence your design choices. For example, if you are delivering a business-oriented presentation, you might choose a more conservative design, while a more informal presentation may call for a bolder and more captivating template.

Tell your story with captivating presentations

Powerpoint empowers you to develop well-designed content across all your devices

2. Select a template with appropriate layout options

The layout plays a crucial role in determining how your content is delivered, read, and ultimately comprehended by your audience. When you assess presentation templates, ensure that the layout options align with the nature of your content. Ask yourself, ‘Will this format enhance the readability and comprehension of my content for my audience? Is it the most efficient way to convey my information?

3. Choose a design that fits your style

You’ll feel most comfortable presenting when your presentation feels like yourself. Make you presentation an extension of your personal style and brand, that effectively complements your aesthetic preferences. Whether you prefer minimalism and clean lines or a striking, vibrant presentation filled with animation, select a design that aligns with your style and creates cohesive visuals.

4. Find a template that reflects your message

Outside of aesthetics, your template should reflect the core message of your presentation. If your content is data-heavy, opt for a template with clear charts and graphs. For a storytelling presentation, choose a template that incorporates visuals and storytelling elements. Ensuring your template and message aligns strengthens your presentation’s storytelling .

5. Consider the length of your presentation

The duration of your presentation should be incorporated in your template decision making. Longer presentations may benefit from a clean and organized template that aids in maintaining audience attention. Shorter presentations, on the other hand, provide room for more creative and visually striking templates. Consider the pacing and structure of your content in relation to the template to optimize your audience’s engagement.

The key to an effective PowerPoint presentation template is extensively considering the context of your presentation. Know who your audience is, what your message is, the length of your message, and how the content should be presented. When you consider these elements, you can ensure your presentation will resonate with your audience, with your intended impact. For more ways to improve your next presentation, learn more presentation tips .

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Create a presentation

Create a presentation in powerpoint for the web.

With PowerPoint for the web running in your web browser, you can:

Create presentations that include images, videos, transitions, and animations.

Get to your presentations from your computer, tablet, or phone.

Share and work with others, wherever they are.

If you're using the desktop version of PowerPoint on a Windows PC, see the PowerPoint Quick Start .

If you're using the desktop version of PowerPoint on a Mac, see Office for Mac Quick Start Guides and PowerPoint for Mac Help .

Create, open, and name a presentation

Go to powerpoint.office.com .

Select New blank presentation , open a Recent file, select one of the themes , or start with a presentation template .

To name the presentation, select the title at the top and type a name.

If you need to rename the presentation, select the title and retype the name.

Add a slide

Select the slide you want your new slide to follow.

Select Home > New Slide .

Select Layout and the you type want from the drop-down.

When working in PowerPoint for the web, your work is saved every few seconds. You can select File > Save a Copy to create a duplicate copy in another location.

Or choose File > Download As to save a copy to your device.

When you're online, AutoSave is always on and saves your changes as you work. If at any time you lose your Internet connection or turn it off, any pending changes will sync as soon as you’re back online.

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