How to do an Anniversary Powerpoint Slide Show

Do you have a special event, such as an anniversary, coming up that you would like to mark? The following tips can work for businesses, classmate groups, committees, churches, family reunions or any other organization to create an unforgettable slide show.

Things You'll Need

• Memorabilia
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Photos
• Computer
• Scanner
• Printer
• Music

Instructions

1. Gather together all memorabilia and photos you will use. You may wish to form some sort of committee to assist you, since this can be a large, daunting task for just one individual.Additionally, have your friends, group members or family send you any items that they want to include. These can be invitations, newspaper clippings, photos, letters, deeds, titles and anything else of significance. Allow enough time to collect all the data. Ask others to scan in and email any items to save you time. This process usually takes longer than you think, so plan well in advance.

2. Set a firm deadline for collecting everything you need. Once the deadline has passed, do not accept new items. Then set the items in chronological order as best as possible. Consult others as needed if you are unsure.

3. Use your scanner to add the items to a file folder. It is helpful to create a separate folder in your computer for this purpose. Make sure when you scan or obtain items from the Internet that you label them appropriately; otherwise, your computer will attach generic titles. You can do this by right-clicking on the generic titles and renaming the files. Organization is key to making sure your slide show is completed on time. Depending on how much data you have, it may take several weeks to complete scanning, saving and uploading files.

4. If you want to add music, obtain the music you need from CDs, or purchase the downloads from the Internet. Load the music CDs or downloads onto your computer hard drive to attach to the presentation when the time comes. Label the music so you can find it easily. You may want to store it in a separate file folder within the presentation folder.

5. Begin your slide show design by experimenting with different layouts, titles and backgrounds. Keep your audience in mind so it is an effective and appropriate design. When you add the photos, you can clean them up using the built-in photo editing tool in Microsoft PowerPoint. Experiment with photo layouts and editing as time allows. Not all of them will need to be edited.

6. Add the music while experimenting with the timing of the photos and other materials. This can take several hours, days or weeks. You do not need to use a whole song; you can have the song fade out or use a medley.

7. Have your committee oversee and critique the work while giving suggestions for improvement.

8. When the slide show is completed, save to a USB flash drive, external hard drive and/or CD. You may want to have several copies. Test the slide show on a few different computers as well as the projector so that everything works properly on the big day.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are obtaining information and memorabilia from others, set a firm deadline for submitting these items.

• If this is a surprise event or gift, be cautious of whom you share information with.