You already know that PowerPoint comes with several slides, and now it’s time to show you how you can create an outstanding PowerPoint Presentation in just a few minutes.
How to Create a PowerPoint Presentation
Here’s a step-by-step brief explanation to help you get started.
1. Open the PowerPoint Program
The first very first thing you will do is launch the PowerPoint program on your laptop or desktop.
- If you already created a presentation, click on the “Open other Presentations” option, which is just on the left of your screen.
- If you saved the presentation on OneDrive, you will find it on the cloud but that will require an internet connection.
For those who have their presentations saved on the computer, click on the “Computer” option, double click the “Browse” option and trace your saved presentation.
If you are just getting started with a presentation, click on Blank Presentation, then click on the “New” option.
2. Select a Template
Identify and click the template of your choice. The template you choose will automatically open on a new window. Skip the next two steps by clicking on the “Blank” option if you don’t find the use of templates so necessary.
3. Create or Choose a Theme
The PowerPoint program lets users create their preferred themes from scratch. Those who do not know how to create PowerPoint themes from the start can scroll through the provided theme to find the theme that works for them best.
You will also be able to customize fonts and color schemes to get a good general appearance. Once you are satisfied with the theme you are about to use, click Create. You will find the “Create” option at the bottom right of the PowerPoint window.
4. Create Title Slides
Apart from the title and subtitle, make sure the slide title is devoid of content. This consideration is important because it is a professional must.
Apart from the Title Slide, you should also consider having a slide for the table of content, a slide that will introduce the speaker, and an agenda slide. Follow
We prefer creating not one, not two but several slides to represent your work. Presenting a PowerPoint to an audience on one slide might bore them.
To save you time creating slides, consider duplicating your slides, using the slide duplicate features. You will waste much of your time creating the same design repeatedly. Do the duplication before entering your work. Follow these simple steps to duplicate your slides.
- Position the cursor on the slide you want to duplicate and right the mouse
- A pop-up will show, and from this pop up select the “Duplicate Slide” option. A duplicate of the slide is automatically added to the presentation.
- Now customize the copies made depending on what the needs are.
5. Add a Title
Click on the large text box and provide the title of what is being presented. The font and size of the text in the title can be changed from the default.
6. Add a Subtitle
The subtitle box is just below the Title box. Microsoft also indicates it for you. Click on the box and write your subtitle. In case you don’t have a subtitle, leave the box empty.
7. Adding Content to the Slide
It is now time to add some content like graphs, charts, or pictures. All the content options are just at the top of the window. Simply click on the Insert tab and choose whichever content you want to insert.
You can also add text to the presentation by selecting the slide you wish to edit. You will find the text box as soon as the slide opens on a new window, click on the box and type your words. You can change the font and color of the text as well as underline, bold and so on.
8. Add Transitions and Animations to the Slide
Adding transitions to the duplicate slides can also be done but it is not compulsory. Transitions are customizable meaning you can mess around with the feature until you come up with something you like. To do away with these transitions, click Transitions and then select None.
Like Transitions, Animations are optional. But there’s so much more to this than what meets your eyes. The animation feature helps your audience easily understand what you are bringing to the table.
Simply click what you want animated, pick the preferred animation, select your preferred effect and a preview will show. Opt for the Effect Option if you want to customize the animation.
9. Save Your PowerPoint Presentation
Now save your work. Press CTRL + S or click File and then, save. Choose the destination you want the presentation saved at. Consider saving the Presentation to a destination easy to remember for easy retrieving.
10. Run the Presentation
Revisit your work. Brushing through the presentation will help ascertain the slides, transitions, and animations are set properly.
When the time to represent your PowerPoint comes, head to the “Slide Show” and select “Play”. Worry not about the audience being disrupted by what is on your laptop because the program takes up the entire screen as soon as the presentation begins.
Tips to Help You Create a Good PowerPoint Presentation
The following are some PowerPoint tips you can use to create high quality, eye-catching presentations for your school project.
Define Your Audience
Know about the people to whom you are going to present the PowerPoint. Find out what they already know about the presentation.
Also, the way you would present a top to Ph.D. holders is not the same way you would with a room full of high school students.
And that is because their level of familiarizing with the topic isn’t the same. After you’ve established the goal, add your target audience to the presentation plan.
Write Down the Goals of Your Presentation
Coming up with a presentation without a plan is a recipe for a PowerPoint presentation that will bore your audience and for that, you lose their attention.
Don’t rush. Just take your time to set your goals first. You can write the goals on paper or type them on your computer.
Set Your Key Presentation Points
Since we have the goals for our presentation and know about our audience, it is the perfect time to come up with key ideas and an outline for the presentation. Have 4 to 5 ideas that will act as a foundation for your presentation. Everything you write should link back to the original goal.
Support Your Points
After setting the key points to the presentation, add details. Use the details to support each of your ideas.