How to Create a PowerPoint Presentation

The PowerPoint software program allows you to create slide presentations that can be viewed on any computer. While some graphic artists specialize in developing compelling presentations, anyone can develop a PowerPoint slide presentation that is attractive and readable. Follow these steps to develop your own slide show.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Open your PowerPoint program. When the dialog box opens, click on the "Blank Presentation" option.

2. Choose an "AutoLayout" format. Begin with the title slide layout, which is the first one on the left. Click "OK," and you will have a title slide to work with.

3. Add text to your slide by clicking in the title text box and typing a title. Do the same thing in the subtitle box.

4. Create another slide by clicking the "New Slide" button on the Common Tasks toolbar. When the AutoLayout dialog box appears, choose a layout for this slide. Keep adding new slides until your presentation is complete.

5. Move from slide to slide by clicking the button on the lower-right corner of the PowerPoint window. Clicking the button with the upward-pointing arrows will take you to the previous slide, and clicking the button with the downward-pointing arrows will take you to the next slide.

6. Save your presentation. Click the "File" menu and then click "Save As." A dialog box will appear, and you'll be able to type in a name for your presentation. The presentation will be saved to your hard drive.

Tips & Warnings

• The dialog box in PowerPoint only pops up when you first open the program. If you have already been working in PowerPoint and want to begin work on a new presentation, click "File," then "New," then "Blank Presentation," then "OK."
• PowerPoint has an automatic spell checker. As you type a word, a wavy red line will appear under a word if it is misspelled. You then have the option of changing the spelling or leaving it as it is.
• Beware of using too many different fonts in your presentations because that can make the presentation difficult to read. Designers generally recommend that you use sans-serif fonts, like Helvetica, for the titles and serif fonts, like Courier, for the rest of the text.

Resources

• The Actden website features a PowerPoint tutorial for the classroom.
• Microsoft Office features a Quick Reference Card for creating in PowerPoint.
• Presentation Zen focuses on achieving good PowerPoint design.