How to Create a PowerPoint Template with Custom Slide Master Layouts

Even novice PowerPoint users quickly discover that there are many slide layouts to choose from when you create a new slide. But did you know you can create a template containing your own custom slide layouts? It's easy to do, and is especially useful if you'll be using your custom layouts in multiple projects.

In this project you'll modify the standard PowerPoint 2007 blank presentation to add a custom layout, and then save your presentation as a template. Finally, you'll create a new presentation using your custom template, and test your new custom slide layout.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007

1. 
    
   Use PowerPoint's blank presentation as the starting point.

   To create a new blank presentation as the starting point for your template, click on the Office Button and choose New from the menu. When the New Presentation dialog appears, choose Blank Presentation.

2. 
    
   Switch to Slide Master View to create your custom layout.

   To modify the presentation Slide Master, click the Slide Master command in the View ribbon (aka the View tab).

3. 
    
   Duplicate an existing slide layout.

   From the list of slide master layout thumbnails on the left side, right click on the thumbnail that is closest to your desired layout, and choose Duplicate layout from the popup menu.

4. 
    
   Modify the layout using Insert Placeholder or copying/pasting existing placeholders.

   To modify the duplicated layout, click on the thumbnail, and then modify as desired. For example, you can copy and paste placeholder elements, and use the Insert Placeholder command to insert different types of placeholders to create your own custom layouts.

5. 
    
   Rename your custom layout.

   Right click on the thumbnail for your customized layout and choose Rename Layout from the popup menu. Supply a new name for the layout. You can add additional custom layouts if desired.

6. 
    
   Save the presentation as a template using the Other Options command.

   Save the modified presentation as a template, click on the Office Button and choose Other Formats from the Save As menu. In the File Name box, give the template a file name (e.g. My Custom Blank Presentation) and choose PowerPoint Template from the Save As Type list. Click the Save button. Now you can close the current presentation.

7. 
    
   Create a new document using your custom template.

   To use your custom template, click the Office button and click the New command. When the New Presentation dialog appears, choose My Templates... from the list of Templates at the top left to display the My Templates dialog. Click on your custom template and then click the OK button.

8. 
    
   Choose your custom layout to create a new slide.

   When the new presentation appears, click on the New Slide option in the Home tab. Locate your custom layout, and click to create a new slide with your custom layout.

9. 
    
   Create and edit a slide using your new layout.

   Modify your new slide as you would a slide created with the standard layouts.

Tips & Warnings

• Note that it is important to use placeholders for any content that you want to be able to modify later when you use your custom layout.
• Don't forget that you can apply one of the themes in the Design ribbon to jazz up your presentation.