Making Great Handouts

You can make handouts in PowerPoint by formatting the Handout Master. Choose View>Master>Handout Master (or View tab> Presentation Views group> Handout Master). To print them, choose File (or Office button)> Print and choose Handouts in the Print What drop-down list. Change the settings in the Handouts section of the Print dialog box and click OK.

But, these handouts are basically just a copy of your presentation. What if you would like to add additional text or images? Change the layout? You have the most flexibility by sending the presentation to Microsoft Word, where you can add or delete anything you want and change the layout to suit your needs. Choose File> Send To> Microsoft Word (or Office button/File tab> Publish> Create Handouts in Microsoft Office Word). In the Send To Microsoft Word dialog box, choose one of the options and click OK. You even have the option to create a link (choose Paste Link) so that the Word document is updated if you change your presentation.

For example, you could add text to thank your audience for attending, give them contact information and your web site URL, add a price list, delivery schedule, your resume, your company’s history, even fabric swatches. You can also provide a means for your audience to give your feedback on your presentation with a postage-paid mailer.

Ellen Finkelstein can train you or the presenters in your organization to create high-impact, engaging, professional presentations for training, sales, business, or education. For more information, please click here.