PowerPoint Tips: Build Better Slides Faster
Good slides come from a clear message and a consistent layout, not from effects. These tips make decks easier to build, easier to read and easier to present.
Start with the message, not the template
Write the point of the whole presentation in one sentence before opening PowerPoint. Then give each slide one idea, and make the slide title the full takeaway (for example "Sales grew in the south region" rather than "Sales"). If you cannot say what a slide is for, merge it with another or delete it.
Set up the Slide Master once
Choose View > Slide Master and set your fonts, colors, logo and title position on the master. Every slide then follows the same design, and a later change takes seconds instead of hours. Add a layout for each slide type you use, such as title, content, comparison and image.
Habits that make slides look professional
- Use two fonts at most, one for headings and one for body text, and keep body text large enough to read from the back of the room.
- Pick a small color palette of one main color, one accent and neutrals. Use the accent only for what matters.
- Align and distribute. Select objects, then use Arrange > Align to line up edges and spread items evenly.
- Copy formatting with Format Painter (Home tab). The keyboard pair is Ctrl+Shift+C to copy formatting and Ctrl+Shift+V to paste it.
- Prefer pictures and simple charts to bullet walls. Aim for a handful of short lines per slide.
- Compress pictures (Picture Format > Compress Pictures) before sharing, so the file is easy to email.
Present with confidence
Add speaker notes in the Notes pane instead of putting your script on the slide. In Slide Show view, Presenter View shows your notes and the next slide while the audience sees only the slide. Rehearse with Slide Show > Rehearse Timings to check your pacing. Our PowerPoint keyboard shortcuts guide lists the keys for starting, pausing and jumping between slides.
Share it safely
Use File > Export > Create PDF when you want everyone to see the slides exactly as designed. Check fonts and embedded media on another computer before an important presentation, and keep the original .pptx for editing. Some features, such as Designer and Morph, depend on your Office version.
Frequently asked questions
How many words should a slide have?
There is no fixed number, but fewer is better. If people are reading instead of listening, the slide has too much text.
How do I change the font on every slide at once?
Open View > Slide Master and change the fonts there, or use Design > Variants > Fonts.
Where can I find shortcut keys?
See the PowerPoint keyboard shortcuts guide linked above.