How to Set a Background As a Template in PowerPoint 2007

Your template can have any image set as a background.

A Microsoft PowerPoint template lets you create multiple projects, all with the same slide background or layout. You can select a template to use as part of the process when you open a new project, but saving a template isn't as obvious. PowerPoint 2007, as well as PowerPoint 2010, allow you to use almost any pattern or picture as a background. With just a few steps you can turn your favorite picture into a template for all of your PowerPoint presentations.

Instructions

1. Open up the PowerPoint program. You will be starting with a blank presentation.

2. Right click near the top of the slide in the presentation window in the middle of the screen. Make sure that you are clicking outside of any text boxes that may be in the window.

3. Choose "Format Background" from the pop-up menu. A small format window will appear.

4. Create the background that you desire from the options in the format window. You can choose to create a solid color, a gradient color scheme, or use a picture or pattern to create the background. Depending on your choice there will be several ways to customize the background in the window. Once you are done with the background, click "Close."

5. Click the "File" tab at the top of the PowerPoint window. Move your mouse over "Save As" on the left side of the drop-down menu, and then choose "Other Formats" on the right side.

6. Select the drop-down box next to "Save as Type" and choose "PowerPoint Template." The window will now default to the template folder, although you can navigate to another folder if you want to save the template somewhere else. Click "Save" when you are done, and the background will now be saved as a template.

References

• Powerpoint 2010: Create a PowerPoint Template
• YouTube: How to Create and Apply PowerPoint Templates for Dummies