Beginners PowerPoint Guide

 

Starting Microsoft PowerPoint

1. Click on Start, Programs, and Microsoft PowerPoint.

2. Next, a menu will appear.  Select Blank Presentation and click on OK.  See below.

 

 

Choosing a slide layout

1. Once you choose a blank presentation you will have to choose a slide layout.  The following screen will appear.  See below.

2. Your first slide will generally have a title and the name(s) of the author on the presentation and the first slide is generally the one below but you can choose any of the layouts.

 

3. Choose a slide layout and click on OK.

Adding Text to a Slide

1. Once you choose a slide layout the following screen should appear.

2. To add text click in the boxes to add text.

Note: You can change the fonts, color, size, etc. just as you did when using Microsoft Word.  Just highlight the section of text you want to modify and choose Format and Font.  Within the submenu that appears hear you will have the options to change fonts, color, size, etc.

 

Changing Backgrounds

1. To change the background, go to the toolbar and select Format and Background.  See below.

2.  The background menu will pop up.  Select the dropdown arrow and choose More Colors seen below. 

 

  1. A Colors menu will appear.  Choose one of the colors and click on OK.  See below.

 

4. Next you will have the option to apply the color to all of the slides that you create or to just apply it to one.  Choose apply. See below.

 

Adding Pictures

  1. To insert a picture go to the Toolbar and choose Insert, Picture, and Clip Art.  See below.

2. The following menu should appear.

3. Click on one of the categories and find a picture that you want to insert into your PowerPoint.  When the desired picture is found click on the picture and the following menu should appear.

4. Choose the Insert Clip button  and close down the clipart menu.

Adding Animation and Sound

-Adding Animation

1. Click in the box you want to animate.

2. On the toolbar select Slide Show and click on Custom Animation.  See below.

 

3. Once Custom Animation is clicked the following menu will appear.

 

4. Next, select the dropdown menu and choose an effect.

 

-Adding Sounds

5. Click on the dropdown menu next to the No Sound box and choose a sound.

 

 

6. Click on the Preview button to see your animation and hear your sounds.

 

Intermediate PowerPoint Guide

Using Templates

Templates are used to create nice patters and preset graphics that enhance the overall appearance of your presentation.  Once you have applied a template that template will stay the same throughout the presentation.

1.  Select Format on your Toolbar and then pick Apply Design Template.  See below.

 

 

2. When you click on Apply Design Template another menu will appear that has a list of the different templates pick one of the designs and click on Apply in the bottom right hand side of the menu.  See below.

 

Adding Music

1.  Go to Insert on the Toolbar and select Movies and Sounds.  Then, select Sound from Gallery.  See below.

 

 

2. Next a list of categories containing different sounds will appear.  Choose a category and click on a song you would like to hear.  See below.

 

  1. Click on the Play Clip button   to listen to the music.  Select the Insert Clip button  to include the music. 
  2. Once you have clicked the Insert button close out of the Insert Sound Menu.
  3. Once on your PowerPoint again you will be prompted by the following menu

Select Yes to have the song play automatically and No to have start when you click on it.

  1. After you have chosen the way that the sound will begin in you presentation, a symbol will appear on your PowerPoint presentation.  See below.

7. Double click on the button to hear the music and click on it once to stop the music.