This guide explains how to create a custom template on Microsoft PowerPoint. You can do this on both the Windows version of the program and the Mac version.
Steps
Step 1. Launch PowerPoint
Double-click the program icon, which looks like a white "P" on an orange background. The PowerPoint home page will open.
Step 2. Click on New Presentation
You will see this white slide button on the right side of the home page. Press it and a new presentation will open.
On Mac, depending on your settings, a new presentation might open just by launching PowerPoint. If that's the case for you, skip this step
Step 3. Click on the View tab
You will see this tab in the orange ribbon located at the top of the PowerPoint window. Click on it to open a toolbar.
On Mac, this option is found in the top menu bar
Step 4. Click on Master Slide
You will see this option on the left side of the toolbar, in the "Master View" section. Press it and it will open the Master Slide tab on the left side of the orange ribbon.
On Mac, click on first master's degree, then on Master slide.
Step 5. Select a format to edit
Click on one of the formats in the left column. You will see a format for each type of slide (e.g. title slides, content slides, etc.).
Step 6. Click Insert Placeholder
You will see this button on the left side of the tab Master slide. Press it and a menu will appear with the following options:
- Index - inserts a written index. On Mac, you will also find the "Vertical" option for Index.
- Text - inserts a text field. On Mac, you will also find the "Vertical" option for Text.
- Image - inserts a section for an image.
- Graphic - inserts a section for a chart.
- Table - inserts a section for a table.
- Smart Art - inserts a section for a smart art element.
- Average - insert a section for a video.
- Online Image - inserts a section where you can add an image online.
Step 7. Select a placeholder
Click on one of the menu items to add it to your template.
Step 8. Select the location
Click on the place on the slide where you want to insert the element.
Before adding the item to the template, you may need to complete other steps. For example, by clicking on Online Image you will have to search for an image and click on insert.
Step 9. Change the position of the elements on the slide
Drag the whitespace inside the sections you added, so you can move them wherever you like.
Step 10. Change the slide background
Click on Background styles, then select a color from the menu that appears.
You can also click on Background format … in the menu that just appeared, in order to customize the color options, such as base tint, gradient and brightness.
Step 11. Select a font for the template
Click on Font in the "Background" section, then click on one of the characters in the menu that appears.
Step 12. Save the model
The steps to do this are different in the Windows version of PowerPoint than in the Mac version:
- On Windows click on File, then on Save with name, select a path and enter the model name. Click on the box Save as, then on PowerPoint template and finally on Save;
- On Mac click on File, then on Save as template, name the file and click on Save.
