Why use PowerPoint?
A PowerPoint presentation can aid any online meeting or web conference.
Use this tool to enable long distance meetings and create a more
effective means of communication. Create a slide show rich in
content for a visual during your online meeting or online presentation.
Studies show that people learn in different ways, retaining more
information and becoming more involved with a greater use of stimuli.
By using a slideshow during an online presentation, the presentation
becomes much more effective. PowerPoint slides are quite versatile,
allowing the user to enter text, charts, graphs, pictures and
more. This easy to use media allows for a user to create an organized
visual for their online meeting.
How do I create a PowerPoint presentation?
There are a variety of tools offered by this software but let’s
look at some of the basics. To begin to create a PowerPoint presentation,
simply start PowerPoint from your start menu and you’re ready
to create a presentation from the very first screen. From this point,
there are several types of presentations you can create based on
your needs and creativity. Here are some basic tips to get you started.
Once you begin to create your presentation, you will be shown
a blank slide (or most likely it will have two boxes where you
can insert your text, such as the title of the slide). This will
be your introductory slide. Enter the title of the presentation
and the author’s information.
Adding a New Slide
To add your next slide, simply click on the new slide icon in the
upper right hand corner or go to the insert menu and select new
slide. As each new slide is added, it is added to the slide tab
on the left hand side, as well as in the outline tab. This allows
you to see all your slides at once and be able to select it and
modify it quickly. Modifications can be made to any of the slides
at any point. Simply click on the slide you would like to modify
so it displays in the main window and make any changes necessary.
Text and Content Layouts
On the right hand side of the screen are templates for text,
content, and other layouts. Each type has a picture associated
with it so you can see how the slide will look before your content
is added. Simply click on the picture of the type of layout you
would like for that slide and that template will be used for the
slide selected.
Note: In the content layout, there is a box with four different
pictures. When using this template for your slide, you will be
given several options once that template is selected, including
inserting tables, charts and pictures.
The picture below is of the second slide added to the presentation.
The right hand column shows some of the layouts accessible. The
highlighted layout is the one shown in the currently displayed
slide.
Color Schemes and Using Existing Templates
To create color schemes, existing templates or animation, click
on the ‘design’ icon (next to the ‘new slide’
icon in the upper right hand corner) for all your choices. After
choosing the ‘design’ icon, you will be given three
choices: design templates, color schemes and animation schemes.
As you choose between the various color schemes and templates, they
will be applied to the slide you are working on.
Inserting a Graph or Chart
To insert a graph on a page, it’s as easy as choosing the
correct layout or clicking on the graph icon in the upper toolbar.
You will be shown a spreadsheet that is pre-filled to give the user
a chance to redo the content using the spreadsheet as a template.
As changes are made to the spreadsheet, they are also made to the
graph. Right-click on the graph for other options, such as choosing
the chart or graph type, formatting the data and making the graph
3-D. Using these options, you can create any type of graph or chart
you’d like. The screen shot below shows what the screen looks
like after a user has inserted a graph and then is choosing which
type of graph they would like.
More Choices
At the bottom of the screen are more options for each page. Pictures,
graphs, etc can all be created using these tools. The user can add
shapes, word art, pictures and auto fill the text and shapes with
the colors of your choice. Scroll your cursor over the icons for
more information. Use the icons at the top of the screen in a similar
way as Microsoft Word.
There are many options available with PowerPoint. Experiment and
consult Microsoft PowerPoint help for any questions you might
have. We hope this mini tutorial helps to get you started in creating
your own informative PowerPoint presentation that will better
assist you in your web conferencing needs.
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