Start with a blank presentation or a template

Open PowerPoint on your computer and you will see two options: start with a blank presentation, or choose from built-in templates. A blank presentation gives you a white slide with a title and subtitle box — you add everything yourself. Templates come pre-designed with layouts, colors, and fonts already in place, which saves time if you like the look.

To start blank, click "Blank Presentation" on the opening screen. To use a template, search the template gallery by typing a word like "business" or "education" and click the one you want. Either way, PowerPoint opens with your first slide ready to edit.

Key Takeaways

  • Create a new presentation by opening PowerPoint and choosing either a blank slide or a template that matches your topic.
  • Add text by clicking into any text box and typing; add new slides using the "New Slide" button in the toolbar.
  • Insert images, shapes, and charts by using the Insert menu, then position them by dragging with your mouse.
  • Format text with the Home tab — change font, size, color, and alignment to match your design.
  • Save your file by pressing Ctrl+S (Windows) or Command+S (Mac), and choose a location on your computer or cloud storage.

Add and edit text on your slides

Every slide has text boxes ready for you to click and type into. The title box at the top is for your main heading; the content box below is for bullet points or body text. Click inside any box and start typing. To move to a new line within the same box, press Enter. To add a new bullet point, press Enter again.

If you want to add text somewhere else on the slide — not in the default boxes — go to the Insert menu, click "Text Box," then click and drag on the slide to create a new box. Type your text inside. You can move any text box by clicking its border and dragging it to a new spot.

Add new slides and choose their layout

Your presentation starts with one slide. To add more, click the "New Slide" button in the Home tab at the top of the screen. A new slide appears below the current one with the same layout. If you want a different layout — for example, a slide with just a title and no content boxes, or a slide with two columns — click "Layout" in the Home tab and pick from the options shown.

You can also right-click on a slide in the left panel (where all your slides are listed) and choose "New Slide" or "Delete Slide" from the menu. The left panel shows thumbnails of every slide so you can see your whole presentation at a glance and jump to any slide by clicking it.

Insert images, shapes, and other content

To add an image, click the Insert menu at the top, then click "Pictures." Choose "This Device" to pick a photo from your computer, or "Stock Images" to search for free images built into PowerPoint. Select the image and click Insert. It appears on your slide; drag the corners to resize it and drag the center to move it.

To add shapes — rectangles, circles, arrows, or callout boxes — click Insert, then "Shapes," and pick the shape you want. Click and drag on the slide to draw it. To add a chart or table, click Insert, then "Chart" or "Table," and choose the type. PowerPoint opens a small data window where you enter your numbers; the chart updates as you type.

Format text and design your slides

Select any text by clicking and dragging across it, then use the Home tab to change how it looks. You can change the font (the typeface), the size (measured in points), the color, and the alignment (left, center, or right). Bold, italic, and underline buttons are also in the Home tab. Click any of these buttons to apply the formatting to your selected text.

To change the background color or add a design theme to all your slides at once, click the Design tab at the top. You will see pre-made themes with coordinated colors and fonts. Click any theme to apply it to your entire presentation. If you want to change just one slide's background, right-click that slide in the left panel and choose "Format Background."

Add transitions and animations (optional)

Transitions are effects that play when you move from one slide to the next during a presentation — like a fade, a push, or a wipe. To add a transition, click the Transitions tab, pick an effect from the gallery, and click "Apply to All" to use it on every slide, or leave it on just the current slide.

Animations make individual objects on a slide move or appear one at a time — for example, text can fly in from the left, or a chart can build itself piece by piece. Click the Animations tab, select an object on your slide (like a text box or image), and click an animation effect. You can set the order and timing so animations play in the sequence you want.

Save and share your presentation

Save your work by pressing Ctrl+S on Windows or Command+S on a Mac. The first time you save, PowerPoint asks where to store the file and what to name it. Type a descriptive name like "Q4 Sales Report" and choose a location — your Documents folder, Desktop, or a cloud service like OneDrive or Google Drive. PowerPoint saves the file as a .pptx file, which is the standard format.

To share your presentation, you can email the .pptx file to others, upload it to a shared folder, or use PowerPoint's built-in sharing feature. Click File, then "Share," and enter the email addresses of people you want to share with. They can view, edit, or comment on the presentation depending on the permission level you set.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use PowerPoint on my phone or tablet?

Yes. PowerPoint has free apps for iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. You can create, edit, and present from the app, though the mobile version has fewer features than the desktop version. Presentations you create on your phone sync to your OneDrive account so you can open them on your computer later.

What is the difference between PowerPoint and Google Slides?

PowerPoint is Microsoft's software and works on Windows and Mac computers, plus phones and tablets. Google Slides is free and runs in your web browser, so you can use it on any device with internet access. Both let you create slides, add images, and present. Google Slides makes it easier to share and collaborate with others in real time, while PowerPoint has more advanced design and animation tools.

How do I present my PowerPoint to an audience?

Open your presentation and press F5 on Windows or Command+Shift+Return on a Mac to start the slideshow from the beginning. Your slides fill the screen. Use the arrow keys or click to move to the next slide. Press Escape to exit the slideshow and return to editing mode. You can also connect your computer to a projector or screen and present that way.

Can I undo a change I made by mistake?

Yes. Press Ctrl+Z on Windows or Command+Z on a Mac to undo your last action. You can undo multiple times to go back several steps. If you undo too much, press Ctrl+Y or Command+Y to redo.

What file format should I use to save my presentation?

Save as .pptx (the default PowerPoint format) if you plan to edit the file later or share it with others who use PowerPoint. If you want to share a version people can only view and not edit, save as a PDF instead. Click File, then "Save As," choose your location, and select the file type from the dropdown menu.