How to Create a New PowerPoint Slide Template

Powerpoint themes make creating presentations easy.

Microsoft PowerPoint has become the standard presentation software used by educators, business professionals and anyone who wants to use their computer to show something to a larger audience. Templates speed workflow by providing the same basic elements used in multiple documents. If the default template provided by PowerPoint does not meet your needs, you can easily create your own. Microsoft PowerPoint allows users to develop customized "themes" that present the same layout formatting with every new document created.

Things You'll Need

• Microsoft PowerPoint 2007

Instructions

1. Click the "View" tab and select "Slide Master" from the "Presentation Views" section of the program.

2. Locate the master template thumbnails on the left edge of the program window.

3. Remove elements from the default template you don't need by clicking on a template thumbnail, selecting objects from the view window, and pressing the Delete key.

4. Add elements used only by the top "Master Slide" thumbnail (larger than the other thumbnails) by clicking the "Master Layout" icon from the main menu. Think of the Master Slide as the opening title slide.

5. Add picture, text or other graphic elements common to all slide masters in the template by selecting the "Insert" tab and inserting elements in the top "Master Slide" thumbnail. Note how the elements added are duplicated to each slide master underneath the Master Slide.

6. Add placeholders for elements you want to include in the individual slide masters by selecting the slide master thumbnails and clicking the "Insert Placeholder" icon from the "Master Layout" section of the menu.

7. Save the template by clicking the Office icon and selecting "Save As." Select "PowerPoint Template" from the pull-down menu and click the "Save" button.

8. Apply the new template by opening the template file before creating a new presentation document.

Tips & Warnings

• Use your mouse to drag a region over the master slide display to select multiple objects at the same time.

References

• microsoft.com: Apply a PowerPoint 2007 template