PowerPoint hacks you might not know about

You don’t need to be a design expert to be able to nail these life-saving PowerPoint hacks. With a few simple tricks, PowerPoint can become a smooth-going tool that makes your process easier. In this blog, we will divulge some of our presentation designer’s best secrets that help them transform slides into more sleek, professional presentations—all without needing a separate program. 

Embed your fonts

Fonts are a crucial component of any presentation design, and you can tell how different fonts can convey your message in a different tone. If you’re sharing your presentation slides with a user who doesn’t have the specific font you’re using, you’re going to have an issue with formatting and glitching.

To fix this, you can embed the fonts within the PowerPoint file by going to File and clicking on Options. Find the Save menu and go to Embed fonts in the file to ingrain your fonts in the PowerPoint. Another way to solve this is to also save the file as a PDF.

Align images and objects 

Symmetry in a presentation slide enhances the overall aesthetic and aids in conveying a message effectively. It represents the order in our complex world, so aligning images and objects is key.

Streamline that process by selecting all objects you want to align and going to the Alignment tool. 

In the main menu, go to Picture Format, then go to Align and select Align Selected Objects. This ensures that the objects are aligned with each other rather than with the slide. 

Then select Align Middle to align all the selected elements with each other.  

If you have elements that aren’t spaced evenly from each other, you select Distribute Horizontally. You can also make sure that your content is organized well by selecting the Grid option in the View menu and fitting your elements within the grid. 

Reduce the size of your presentation

Sometimes, a large presentation file is a hassle to manage, so reducing its size makes it easier to share and move. Usually, the images and graphics take up the file’s size, so to address this, you can compress the images. 

Select the image, then go to Picture Format, then Compress Pictures. You can either choose to compress certain images or the entire presentation. 

If you’re using a projector to present, you can go for the 150 dpi option, or if you’re emailing the presentation, you can choose 96 dpi. Another way to reduce a file’s size is by saving it in a different format, such as a PDF. This way, you can have a more manageable file without compromising on its quality. 

Customizing the Quick Access Toolbar

To become a PowerPoint pro, you need to first set up your workspace, namely the Quick Access Toolbar. This toolbar is located above the ribbon and is editable for users to customize as they wish to access certain features. 

To tailor the toolbar, click on the arrow above the ribbon, then click on More Commands. 

In this window, you can choose from All Commands to add your preferred tools. You can also remove commands by selecting them and hitting Remove. 

Through this simple adjustment, you can streamline your PowerPoint experience and productivity to be more effortless. 

Remove background  

Sometimes, you might find yourself in a situation where you have an image with a background that doesn’t match or an element you want to isolate.

One way to deal with such ordeals is by clicking on the image and going to the Format tab, from there, find the Remove Background button and then manually fix any portions of the background that still remain. Once you’re done, you can continue to customize the image to match the rest of the slide by adding a new background. This helps isolate parts of an image that you want to use without relying on a photo editing program.  

Converting bullet points into SmartArt

Listing bullet points on their own is not really recommended most of the time, and using features like SmartArt helps elevate your layout. To convert bullet points into SmartArt, you can select the text with the points, right-click, and find Convert to SmartArt. 

You can hover over the different options to see a preview of how your bullet points will look, then select the one that suits your slide best and edit from there. 

Match exact custom colors

If you are drawn to a specific color in an image or background you are using, you might be tempted to incorporate it into another part of the presentation, such as the text or text boxes. The eyedropper tool helps identify the exact color you are looking for to utilize it. 

To change the color of the text, highlight it and find the coloring format tool in the Home tab. Then select the Eyedropper tool and hover over the color you want to match within the slide. 

When you find the color you desire, click on it and select it from the Recent Colors section. To change the color of a shape, follow the same steps as in the Shape Format tab and find the eyedropper tool in the Shape Fill or Shape Outline buttons.  

Replace elements easily

One of the most time-saving tips on PowerPoint is replacing images and icons. This can be especially useful when you’re working with a template and want to replace existing elements and images with your own. 

Instead of manually removing and reinserting icons, you can just right-click the image, go to Change Graphic or Change Picture, then This Device, and select your desired image. When you insert the image here, PowerPoint keeps the same size and position as the original image. 

With these PowerPoint hacks, you’re now ready to conquer any presentation task with ease and simplicity. Mastering the technical aspects of PowerPoint was the first step; unlocking these tips and tricks is just the beginning of a more creative approach. For any more help related to PowerPoint, we are a presentation design agency in Dubai that specializes in presentations that tell your story!