If you need give a presentation in front of a large number of peopleIt is always important to have audiovisual support material to convey the information much better. For this, there are many tools that will help you in this work.
On this occasion, we want to talk to you in depth about the using PowerPoint to take your presentations to another level. This tool belonging to Microsoft Office package It is one of the most used in the world not only because of its reliability, but also because of the wide number of options it offers to users.
If you do not know How to make a good professional-level PowerPoint presentation from scratch?, we will share the step by step to achieve it. In addition, you will know a series of tricks that will elevate your presentation to another level.
Learn step by step how to create a good presentation in PowerPoint
Powerpoint it has many functionalities that are of great help for those users who want to personalize their presentations. One of the main advantages of this tool is that has predesigned templates for those who are not experts or who do not want to design their presentations from scratch.
However, it also offers the possibility of create slides from scratch incorporating the elements you need according to your tastes. This means that you can modify the designs, colors, shapes, insert audios, videos and much more.
If you want to learn step by step on how to create a good PowerPoint presentation, read on:
Create new presentation
The procedure for create a new presentation it is very similar both in teams Windows, macOS or even in the web version of the program.
In order to achieve this, apply the steps below:
- Login in Powerpoint and go to the tab Design. Select the topic you like the most.
- Inside of the tab Start, click New slide. If you want to choose a different slide design, just click on the arrow next to the button New slide and then enter the one you want.
- In Transitions, select the one of your preference.
- In the table of transitions, click on Apply on everything.
In this way, you will already have a coherent presentation set up in terms of style. Thereafter, it's time to add texts, images, graphics or any other necessary element. Keep in mind that you can always customize the colors, typography, transitions or any other detail present in the slides.
Add text
exist different ways to add text to a presentation of PowerPoint. You can do it on a slide or slide master inserting or typing in a text box. You can also add text to a shape, among other methods.
We will teach you how to do it in each case:
Add text to a placeholder
All you have to do to add text to a placeholder is click inside the placeholder and subsequently, write or paste the text what you wish. In case the text exceeds the size of the placeholder, the program takes care of reducing the font size and line spacing as you type.
Add text to a text box
There are two ways to carry out this procedure:
- If you want to add text to a text box, go to normal view and press inside the text box. Then write or paste the text you want.
- If you want to add text to a text box that contains permanent and cannot be edited, in Slide Master view, click the text box. Next, proceed to write the text or paste it.
I know recommends using text boxes to insert text anywhere on your slides. Please note that when you place a painting in normal sight, any user can modify it. For its part, in the slide master view, the added text will be permanent, so it cannot be modified outside of said master.
Add text to a shape
it's possible insert text inside any of the shapes that you insert in PowerPoint, such as circles, squares, callout balloons, block arrows, etc. As you do so, the text is attached to the shape and moves or rotates with it. To do it, you have to select shape and then write on it or paste the text you need.
Add independent text of a shape
At some point you may just want the text not to be attached to the form. For this, the ideal is create a text box independent of the shape. To this content you can modify the borders, fill, shadows and much more. In case you want to add a text that moves independently of a shape you must first add a text box.
To do this, follow the procedure below:
- Go to group Text of the tab Insert.
- Press on Text box.
- Click on the diapositive and drag the pointer to draw the text box.
- Write or paste the information what you wish.
Add shapes or images
Another action that you can execute in Powerpoint it is add shapes or images to slides. In both cases, it is a very simple procedure.
In this sense, if you want to add a shape you have to:
- Go to tab Insert.
- Get in Shapes.
- Select shape you want to use. Go anywhere in the workspace and drag to place the shape.
In case you want create a perfect square or circle (or restrict dimensions in other ways), you just have to press the key Shift and hold it down while dragging.
For its part, to add an image to the slide from the computer you have to:
- Go to slide where you want to insert the image.
- Inside the tab Insert, specifically in the group Images, click on the option Images.
- Within the dialog box that opens, look for the image you want to insert and click on it. Then press Insert.
If you want to add an image but from the web, you must apply the same procedure but, instead of clicking on the option "Images", you have to click on "Online images". Then you just have to locate the one you prefer and touch Insert.
Embed video
Before insert a video into a PowerPoint presentationYou have to know that there are certain specific formats that are compatible with the program. In these cases, in versions 2016 or later, files are recommended .mp4 encoded with H.264 video (i.e. MPEG-4 AVC) and with AAC audio.
Once you have this clear, the way to insert a video that you already have stored on your computer is the following:
- Within sight Normal, select the slide where you want the video to appear.
- Go to the tab Insert and click the arrow below Video. Then tap on Video on My Computer.
- In the dialog Embed video, select the video whatever you want and then press on Insert.
Another important configuration to consider when insert a video it is related to its reproduction. This way, you can make settings for a video to play automatically or when it is clicked. You should know that by default, in Slide show, the video is plays as part of the click sequence.
That is, the video is starts by clicking on any section of the slide to advance to the next step (or by pressing on the space bar, the right arrow key or any other key that leads to the next step). This option is known as In Click Sequence (in sequence of clicks).
But if you prefer that the video starts in a different way, do the following:
- Select the frame of the video.
- Inside the bar, on the tab Video playback tools, open the list Start and choose the option you want:
- In Click Sequence: is the default setting. The video starts when you click anywhere on the slide.
- Automatically: As the name implies, the content starts automatically. If there are animation steps ahead, the animations are played first, then the video.
- By clicking: starts only when clicked.
Add animations
The PowerPoint animations They give dynamism to the presentation, making them a highly recommended resource to use.
If you want to add an animation to an object, here are the steps to achieve it:
- Touch the object that you want to animate.
- Inside the tab Animations, select in Animation panel.
- Tap on Add animation and choose the effect you like the most.
- If you wish apply other effects to the same object, select it and click Add animation. Then select another effect.
One aspect to take into consideration regarding the animations, is that After applying the first effect, if you try to add more in a way other than clicking Add Animation, it will not apply any additional effects. Even the existing effect you are adding will be replaced instead.
Create sections on slides
Just as folders work to organize files, they can be used sections to organize your slides according to relevant groups.
The procedure to implement to add a section in PowerPoint is the following:
- Right click between slides and click on Add section. Here will be added in the thumbnail panel a Untitled section, and the dialog box will open Rename section.
- Write the name you want in the Section Name box.
- Tap on Rename.
- If you want to expand a section, click the triangle next to the section name. The number displayed next to the section name corresponds to the number of slides available in that section.
To delete or move a section first you have to select in View, Slide Sorter.
Once there, you can:
- Move a section: right click and tap Up section or Down section.
- Delete a section: right click and select on Remove section.
Insert audio
Finally, there is the possibility of complement your presentation by inserting audios. Within the audio classification is music, narration or all kinds of sound pieces. In case of wanting record or play any audio file, your computer must be equipped with sound card, microphone and speakers.
We explain the step by step to insert an audio in PowerPoint below:
- Within sight Normal, select the slide where you are going to insert the audio.
- Then go to Insert / Audio.
- Tap on PC equipment audio.
- When the dialog box opens Insert audio, choose the audio file you want.
- Tap on Insert.
Microsoft PowerPoint Tricks for Creating Professional-Level Presentations
Once you already know how to create a presentation in PowerPoint, you should know that there are a number of tips or tricks very useful through which you will give a much more professional look to your work.
Here we share the 10 most important ones:
Combine different resources
Monotony is one of the worst enemies of any presentation, so it is recommended combine multiple assets within slides such as images, graphics, videos, audios and much more. This will keep the audience focused in the information you have to share, apart from the fact that it encourages interaction between the audience and the speaker. However, don't overload resources.
Align the objects
Another trick that makes a difference, although many people do not put it into practice, is that of align objects present on the slides. If you keep all the elements aligned, it will not only be easier for understanding, but it will also look much more professional. In this way, the design will be more balanced and organized. If you want to apply this tip, select them by clicking the mouse and dragging the cursor over them. Once selected, go to Format / Align / Align selected objects.
Combine shapes
Combining shapes is also a very interesting trick to keep the audience focused on the slides. It is one of the most interesting features, but little known by average users. With her help, you can join, fragment, intercept or even subtract objects from each other. To use it, all you have to do is select two objects and go to Format / Combine shapes and select the action you want.
Create a custom color palette
The Visual harmony is essential for a professional PowerPoint presentation. While it is true that you can take advantage of the combinations preset by the program, there is also the possibility of create a custom color palette. It is very useful when, for example, you have to make a business presentation and you prefer to use a color palette similar to the company logo.
The method to apply to create your color palette is:
- Choose the eyelash Design and, within the section Variants, press the down arrow. Later, touch Colors / Customize colors. Within this section, you have the possibility to choose the color you want for each general element of the slide.
Remove background from images
Another very interesting configuration is that of remove background from images so that they integrate much better with the slides. For example, if you have a logo but with a background color and you want to remove it, you can use this functionality. To do it, select it and enter Format / Adjust / Remove Background. That's how easy you can have an image to integrate into your designs in PowerPoint.
Don't overload your information slides
One of the most important details that every user should keep in mind when creating a presentation is avoid overloading the information sheets. The ideal is to write key points and accompany them with elements such as tables, shapes, videos, etc. In most cases less is more, so if you want to convey a message and make it really remain in the memory of the audience, the best way is summarizing the contents and translating them into key points on the slides.
Take advantage of keyboard shortcuts during your presentation
A method or trick that serves to speed up the presentation is to take advantage of keyboard shortcuts. For example, if you have Powerpoint in Spanish, if you press the B keys (White) or N (black), you will leave the screen in that color. It is very useful to avoid visual distractions.
Likewise, if during the presentation you type a number with the keyboard and press the Enter key, the program automatically directs you to that slide. Like these options, there are many other shortcuts that will be of great help. You just have to learn them and get the most out of them.
Do not abuse the animations
As we indicated previously, less is more. This rule also applies to the use of animations in PowerPoint. Although it is true that it can be a visual resource that complements the dynamism of the plates, If you use it excessively, it can be annoying to look at or even become a distraction..
Remember that the most important thing is keep people attentive to the information you share. Use a small number of animations and don't go overboard with the types you choose. The more basic, the better. Similarly, you can make a mix between basic animations and a little more risky.
Take care of the contrast
A primary trick is the contrast you use in your presentation designas this can make or break your goals of effectively communicating a message. In this sense, it will always be a good idea work with black letters if the backgrounds are light and vice versa. If black seems a bit boring, you can play with other colors but keeping shades that contrast with the backgrounds, colors and designs.
Use bright colors to highlight specific data
Finally, this is a very interesting trick. It is proven that the human eye directs its attention first of all to all those elements that have intense colors. Therefore, if there is any data you want to highlight or make sure it stays in the audience's memory, highlight it with bright colors.
Remember to use it sparingly, just to highlight specific details and also match the overall design of your presentation. If you do not know very well about the subject, we recommend you apply the 10 commandments of color theory or use tools for it.