PowerPoint Tips & Tutorials

Create your own template

Recently a Web site visitor e-mailed me asking how to create a template. I thought that I would list the steps here. Most templates are simply a slide master saved as a template file. You can then use that template to create new presentations. You can include the following on the slide master/template:

• Fonts
• Bullets
• A color scheme
• Background image(s)
• AutoShape defaults
• Animation
• Boilerplate text

Follow these steps:

1. Create a new presentation.
2. Choose View > Master > Slide Master to open the slide master.
3. Choose Format > Slide Design. The Slide Design task pane opens. Choose Color Schemes and choose the one closest to the colors you want. Then click Edit Color Schemes at the bottom of the task pane and change the colors as necessary. Click Apply. 
4. To create a background, choose Format > Background. In the Background dialog box, click the drop-down arrow and choose Fill Effects. Choose the tab for the type of effect you want -- for example, Gradient or Picture. Design a gradient or insert a picture. Click OK, then click Apply.
5. Add any graphics that you want to appear on every slide. These can be part of the background, a logo, or both. If you add AutoShapes, format them as desired.
6. To globally change the font, choose Format > Replace Fonts.
7. To change the font color and size, select the placeholder text and choose from the Font and Font Size drop-down lists on the Formatting toolbar. To change the text alignment, select the text and choose one of the options from the Formatting toolbar.
8. To format the bullets, choose Format > Bullets. To change the indents, use the Ruler. If you don't see the ruler, choose View > Ruler.
9. To resize or move the text placeholders, select them. Use the grips to resize;  drag to move. 
10. To create footers, choose View > Headers and Footers. Choose the options that you want. Or delete footers that you don't want.
11. To create a title master (for a title slide), choose Insert > New Title Master. Then format the title master as in the previous steps.
12. Choose View > Normal to exit the slide master.
13. Choose File > Save As. In the Save as Type drop-down list, choose Design Template (*.pot). Enter a name for the template in the File Name text box.
14. Click Save.
15. To use the template for a new presentation, choose Format > Slide Design. Click Browse at the bottom of the Slide Design task pane. Choose your template and click Apply.

Enjoy your new template!

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