Microsoft PowerPoint: clear slides that hold attention
Build presentations with consistent design, simple layouts and a smooth presenting experience.
Last reviewed: November 2026
Start a presentation
- Go to File, then New, and choose a theme or blank presentation.
- Select a layout for each slide from the Home tab, such as Title and Content.
- Add a new slide with Ctrl+M on Windows, or use the New Slide button.
Design with the slide master
The slide master controls fonts, colours and logos for every slide. Go to View, then Slide Master, and change the master once. This keeps a deck consistent and saves time when you need to adjust the design.
Good slide rules
- Use one main message per slide, written as a short headline.
- Keep bullet points brief, and use no more than about six per slide.
- Use charts from Excel for data, and label them clearly.
- Use the same font and colour scheme throughout.
Transitions and animations
Use the Transitions and Animations tabs to add movement. Keep it subtle. Too many effects distract the audience from your message.
Present with confidence
Use Presenter View to see notes, the next slide and a timer while the audience sees only the slides. Turn it on in the Slide Show tab, under Monitors, if your computer has a second screen.
Share and collaborate
Save the presentation to OneDrive or SharePoint to share it and co-author in real time. You can also export it as a PDF from File, then Export, for a fixed version that will not change.
Common problems
Fonts look different on another computer
The font may not be installed on that computer. Use a common font, or embed fonts when saving under File, then Options, then Save.
Videos do not play
Use a standard format such as MP4, and keep the video file with the presentation when you share it.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use PowerPoint on a phone?
Yes. The mobile app and PowerPoint for the web let you view and edit presentations. Some advanced features are only on the desktop app.