How to Create a PowerPoint How to use Microsoft PowerPoint Step 1: Open PowerPoint Windows: Click on the Start menu, search for “PowerPoint,” and click on the PowerPoint app. Mac: Open Finder, go to Applications, and double-click PowerPoint. Step 2: Create a new presentation From the Start Screen: When you open PowerPoint, the Start Screen will appear, showing you templates and recent presentations. Choose “Blank Presentation” or select a template. From an Open Presentation: Go to the File tab. Select New. Click Blank Presentation or choose a template. Step 3: Using the interface Ribbon Tabs: Home, Insert, Design, Transitions, Animations, Slide Show, Review, View, etc. Groups: Each tab has groups that organize tools (e.g., Font, Paragraph under the Home tab). Commands: Tools within the groups (e.g., Bold, Italic in the Font group). Slides Pane Located on the left side, it shows thumbnails of your slides. You can rearrange, add, or delete slides here. Slide Area The main area where you design your slide. Notes Pane A space where you can add notes for each slide that are not visible to the audience. Step 4: Creating and Managing Slides Adding a New Slide Go to the Home tab and click New Slide. Choose a layout for the new slide (Title Slide, Title and Content, Section Header, etc.). Duplicating a Slide Right-click on a slide thumbnail in the Slides Pane. Select Duplicate Slide. Deleting a Slide Right-click on a slide thumbnail in the Slides Pane. Select Delete Slide. Step 5: Adding and editing text Adding Text to a Slide Click in a text box that says “Click to add title” or “Click to add text.” Type your text. Formatting Text Highlight the text you want to format. Use options in the Home tab under the Font and Paragraph groups to change font style, size, color, alignment, etc. Step 6: Inserting Images and Graphics Inserting Images Go to the Insert tab. Click Pictures and choose This Device to insert from your computer or Online Pictures to insert from the web. Inserting Shapes Go to the Insert tab. Click Shapes and choose a shape to insert. Click and drag on the slide to draw the shape. Inserting Charts and Graphs Go to the Insert tab. Click Chart. Select the type of chart you want to insert, then edit the chart data in the Excel sheet that opens. Step 7: Editing slide layouts Changing Slide Layout Go to the Home tab. Click Layout. Choose the desired layout from the list. Using Slide Master for Consistent Design Go to the View tab. Click Slide Master. Modify the master slide to change the appearance of all slides. Step 8: Adding Transitions and Animations Adding Slide Transitions Go to the Transitions tab. Select a transition effect. Adjust transition settings like duration. Adding Animations to Objects Select the object you want to animate. Go to the Animations tab. Choose an animation effect. Adjust the animation settings like start time, duration, and order. Step 9: Setting Up the Slide Show Starting a Slide Show Go to the Slide Show tab. Click From Beginning or press F5. Customizing Slide Show Settings Go to the Slide Show tab. Click Set Up Slide Show to adjust options like looping, presenter view, and slide order. Step 10: Saving and Exporting Saving Your Presentation Go to the File tab. Click Save As. Choose a location, name your file, and click Save. Exporting to PDF Go to the File tab. Click Export. Choose Create PDF/XPS Document. Exporting as a Video Go to the File tab. Click Export. Choose Create a Video and select the quality and timing options. Step 11: Presenting your PowerPoint Navigating the Slideshow Use the arrow keys or click the mouse to advance slides. Press Esc to exit the slideshow. Using Presenter View Presenter View allows you to see your notes and the upcoming slides. Go to the Slide Show tab. Check Use Presenter View.