How To Create Own Powerpoint Theme

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This wikiHow teaches you how to create a custom PowerPoint template in Microsoft PowerPoint. You can do this on both Windows and Mac versions of PowerPoint.

Steps

1

Open PowerPoint. Double-click the PowerPoint app icon, which resembles a white "P" on an orange background. This will open the PowerPoint home page.
2
Click Blank Presentation . It's a white slide in the right side of the home page. Doing so will open a new presentation.
- On Mac, simply opening PowerPoint might open a new presentation depending on your settings. If it does, skip this step.
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3
Click the View tab. This tab is in the orange ribbon at the top of the PowerPoint window. Clicking it opens a toolbar below the orange ribbon.
- On Mac, this option is on the top menu bar.
4
Click Slide Master . You'll find this option near the left side of the toolbar in the "Master Views" section. Doing so will open the Slide Master tab on the left side of the orange ribbon.
- On Mac, first click Master , then click Slide Master .
5

Select a slide format to edit. Click one of the slide templates in the left-hand column of options. There will be one slide for each type of slide that you can use (e.g., a title slide, a basic content slide, etc.).
6
Click Insert Placeholder . It's on the left side of the Slide Master tab. A drop-down menu will appear with the following options:
- Content - Inserts a written content outline. On a Mac, you have a "Vertical" option for Content as well.
- Text - Inserts a text box. On a Mac, you have a "Vertical" option for Text as well.
- Picture - Inserts a section for a picture.
- Chart - Inserts a section for a chart.
- Table - Inserts a section for a table.
- Smart Art - Inserts a section for smart art items.
- Media - Inserts a section for a video.
- Online Image - Inserts a section from which you can add an online image.
7

Select a placeholder. Click one of the items in the drop-down menu to select it for addition to your template.
8
Select a location. Click a place on the slide to drop the placeholder item on it.
- You may have to perform additional steps before the item is added to your template. For example, clicking Online Image will prompt you to search for an image and click Insert.
9

Reposition items on your slide. Click and drag the white space inside of any sections you've added to move them around on the slide.
10
Change the slides' backgrounds. Click Background Styles, then select a color from the drop-down menu.
- You can also click Format Background... in the drop-down menu to customize color options like base color, gradient, and brightness.
11

Select a template font. Click Fonts in the "Background" section, then click a font in the drop-down menu.
12
Save your template. This process differs between the Windows and Mac versions of PowerPoint:
- Windows: Click File, click Save As, select a location and enter a name for your template. Click the Save as type drop-down box, click PowerPoint Template, and then click Save.
- Mac: Click File, click Save as Template, enter a file name, and click Save.
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Add New Question

Question

Before creating a power point, do I have to gather and save all the information I want to use in it?

You don't have to, but you'll be more organized and the process of creating the powerpoint will go more smoothly if you do.
Question

How do I apply a new template to an existing PowerPoint without copy and pasting?

Open the file and click "insert." Click the "new slide" button. You can change the theme of the slide by clicking "office theme."
Question

How can I record my voice over a PowerPoint?

Arrenius Karunakaran

Community Answer

Open a file and click "Insert." Then click on "Audio" in the "Media" options, where you can choose "Record Audio."
Question

How do I insert or add a red arrow to my PowerPoint template?

Open the file and click on the insert tab. Then under the illustrations group click shapes. After that, click the arrow style you like, drag to show the size and finally, format the colour [red].

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Video

You can upload your templates to Microsoft OneDrive if you want to store them in the cloud. You should be able to access them from the PowerPoint template menu.