Possible Uses for PowerPoint

• Slides
• Overhead Presentations
• Web Page Design & Formatting
• Pamphlets/ Information Kiosks

  Options for Creating Presentations

• Auto Content Wizard
• Template
• Blank Presentation

The quickest and easiest way to create a presentation is to use the AutoContent Wizard. The AutoContent Wizard helps you to create and organize your own presentation, using a variety of styles, formats and templates provided by the PowerPoint program.

1. Click on the AutoContent Wizard option upon opening PowerPoint.
2. To select the type of presentation you wish to create, click NEXT.

All – lists all templates   Operations/ Human Resources   General   Sales & Marketing

Corporate   Personal   Projects   Carnegie Coach

1. After selecting the type of presentation click NEXT to determine how the presentation will be used.

• Presentations, Informal Meetings, Handouts
• Internet, Kiosk

1. Click NEXT to determine what type of output you will use, and whether or not you intend to print it out.

• On Screen Presentation
• Black and White Overheads
• Color Overheads
• 35 mm Slides

1. To create a title page, click NEXT and enter the appropriate information. Then press FINISH.
2. The AutoContent Wizard will have created a model presentation according to your specifications. All that is necessary is for you to type in the information you want in your presentation in the places indicated by PowerPoint.

• To view all of your slides at once click VIEW, then SLIDE SORTER.
• To edit individual slides double click on that slide.
• To view your presentation click SLIDE SHOW, then VIEW SHOW.

The Template option allows you to create a presentation using a PowerPoint design-template, while permitting you to choose the layout of each slide. There are 17 different designs and 12 different "auto-layouts" from which you can choose. In addition to choosing the format of each slide, you can also manipulate the font size and color of text, and change background colors - options not available in the AutoContent Wizard.

Note: Using the Template option, you must be aware of the fonts, color schemes and the amount of information included on each slide- aspects the AutoContent Wizard considers automatically. See PowerPoint Tips.   

1. Click the Template option upon opening up PowerPoint.
2. Choose a Presentation Design. The Preview Box displays the design elected.
3. Choose an Auto-Layout.

Title Slide   Bulleted List   2 Column Text   Table   Text & Chart

Organization Chart   Chart   Text & Clip Art   Title Only   Blank

• Charts- Double click chart, input data and PowerPoint will create a chart.
• Clip Art- Double click clip art, and add or import pictures, sounds or videos.
• Title Only /Blank- Import text, charts, tables, pictures, graphs, etc. from other programs simply using CUT and PASTE or the Insert-Object command.

Blank Presentation

If you wish to create your own presentation without using format or design templates, then the Blank Presentation is the best option. Using the Blank Presentation you can create your own designs and color schemes, and also determine the layout of each individual slide.

1. Click the Blank Presentation option upon opening up PowerPoint.
2. Choose an Auto-Layout.
3. Click Format to add color and designs to your slide.

  One of the most important things about creating a presentation is knowing what type of presentation you plan to do. The AutoContent Wizard helps you sort all of these presentation details out, but it does not grant you the absolute freedom of design and layout you may desire. Hence, if you choose to use the Template or Blank Presentation options there are a few basic do’s and don’ts that are useful to know when creating a presentation.

Design

The number one rule when preparing any presentation is to Know Your Audience!!! Be aware of what you are presenting and to whom you are trying to sell your product or ideas to. If you are creating an on-screen presentation for your company (or the Economics Department) you may not want to use fluorescent colors, or titles that zoom or fly in. A more conservative approach may be in order. If on the other hand, you are working on an ad campaign for a new soft drink, bells, whistles and fireworks may be exactly what you need.

To choose a "winning" design:

1. Consult the templates provided by PowerPoint for ideas for an appropriate design.

2. To add pizzazz or simply a bit of class to your presentation you may want to explore the Slide Show option in the standard tool bar.

Options

• Present Animation – Allows you to animate text
• Action Button – Create Macros, or User-Interactive buttons
• Custom Show – Program your own timing and special slide transitions

3. To change background color, shades and textures click on Format on the Standard tool bar.

Options
 

Slide Color Scheme

Background

Apply Design

 

Text

A winning presentation should be interesting to look at and easy to read.
To insure maximum legibility:

1. Use large fonts.

Type of Text	Optimal Font Range
Titles   Subtitles   Bulleted Text   Organizational Charts	36 – 44 pt. 32 – 36 pt. 20 – 32 pt. 20 – 24 pt.

• Avoid long, wordy phrases
• Leave lots of space on your slides
• Create new slides for new ideas/subjects

1. Click View, then Master.

Slide Master

Title Master

Handout Master

Notes Master

Color Schemes

The last and most important aspect of any presentation is the color scheme. A good presentation must not only have a suitable design and text, but should be easy to see as well.

The following are a few basic hints to remember:  

1. Cater your background to your method of exposition.

Dark Background	Light Background
On- Screen Presentations  35mm Slides	Color Overheads  Handouts

1. Use contrasting text colors. A text color that is in the same family as that of the background will make your slides difficult to read. For example, if you are using a navy blue background for a color overhead, yellow would be an excellent text color.

Dark Background	Light Background
White   Yellow	Black  Dark Blue

PowerPoint Checks

The Tools option in the standard toolbar provides a variety of mechanisms for checking your PowerPoint Presentation. Standard tools such as Spelling, Grammar and Language are always good checks. The Style Checker is a very useful tool that allows you to check for Clarity and Legibility in your presentation.

1. Click Tools, then Style Checker.

• Spelling
• Visual Clarity
• Case and End Punctuation

1. Click Options to customize the Style Checker.
2. The Style Checker Summary will give you a list of "inconsistencies" in your presentation, as well as helpful tips on how to correct them.