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Home Blog PowerPoint Tutorials How to Create a Presentation with PowerPoint Online

How to Create a Presentation with PowerPoint Online

An online version of PowerPoint was introduced in 2010, a few years after the Google Docs release, which came out as early as 2007. Over the years, the product, along with other Microsoft Office apps, underwent major changes, making it more user-friendly and feature-rich for end users.

Given the rise of inter-device connectivity and cloud support, tools like Microsoft 365, particularly its Word, Excel, and PowerPoint web-based counterparts, have considerably increased their capabilities, matching the performance of desktop versions. In this article, we will talk about PowerPoint Online, also called PowerPoint for Web, and how it can help presenters craft presentations and access them on the go wherever they log in. 

Table of Contents

What is PowerPoint Online

Advantages of powerpoint online, getting started with powerpoint for the web, how to create a powerpoint online presentation, collaboration and sharing, saving and exporting, tips for creating high-quality slides in powerpoint online, troubleshooting common issues in powerpoint online.

• Conclus i on

PowerPoint for the Web, which was previously called PowerPoint Online, is a web-based version of PowerPoint that enables creating, viewing, editing, and sharing PowerPoint presentations online. Unlike Google Slides, PowerPoint for the Web provides better native support for PowerPoint files. It makes it possible to seamlessly work with PowerPoint files and features through a web-based browser, with OneDrive support to share and store your data. PowerPoint for the web is free to use but has limited features. However, if you are a Microsoft 365 subscriber, you can get better features when using the web-based version of PowerPoint.

PowerPoint for the web provides the same benefits as the desktop version of PowerPoint, with the added advantage of accessing these features anywhere using an Internet browser. Below is a list of advantages of using PowerPoint Online.

Easy Accessibility

You can access PowerPoint features anywhere using an Internet-connected browser without installing the PowerPoint app on your device. Furthermore, you can also upload and access files from your device anytime, anywhere, via the web.

Support for Native PowerPoint Features

Be it online collaboration, cloud storage, or access to version history, you can get native PowerPoint features via a web-based version of PowerPoint without the need to worry about compatibility issues. Furthermore, unlike Google Slides or other web-based variants of PowerPoint, PowerPoint for the web helps access native PowerPoint features without causing compatibility issues such as incorrect display of certain themes or support for various animations available in the offline version.

OneDrive Integration

The integration of PowerPoint for the web with OneDrive allows instantly storing, sharing, and accessing different versions of a file using the cloud storage support of OneDrive.

Easy Sharing

The OneDrive integration enables the online version of PowerPoint to be used for instantly sharing presentations online using a link with a specific access level (view only or editing privileges).

Online Collaboration

While PowerPoint’s offline version also provides collaboration features, using PowerPoint for the web can provide a smoother experience when looking for real-time changes to a PowerPoint file.

Version History

PowerPoint files saved with the web version come with a version history, where you can access older file versions to restore according to need. This feature is also available for the offline version, which you must turn on upload to OneDrive. In other words, version history is only supported for PowerPoint files that are saved online.

Cross-Platform Compatibility

Since you only need a web browser and a Microsoft account to access PowerPoint Online, there are no issues with having a compatible device to use the app. This means you can access PowerPoint Online using any device that can run a modern Internet browser.

Accessibility Features

PowerPoint for the web is among the few platforms that provide accessibility features for persons with disabilities, such as image ALT text and support for screen readers.

PowerPoint for the web is regularly updated, providing access to the latest features for end users.

To get started, go to Office.com  or powerpoint.office.com and select the PowerPoint icon to access PowerPoint for the web. You will require a Microsoft account to log in.

Once logged in, you can create a new PowerPoint presentation or upload one from your device. All you need for accessing the web version of PowerPoint is a modern Internet browser and a device that can support it. This web-based version of PowerPoint works with all commonly used browsers and their variants, including Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Safari, Opera, and others.

From Office.com, you can create new PowerPoint presentations from scratch or via a template, upload new ones, or open an existing one saved to OneDrive. 

Create a New Presentation with PowerPoint for the Web

Click Create or use a PowerPoint template from the options to create a new PowerPoint presentation. You can start with a specific theme or use a blank template. You can also browse through themes via Office.com to find one that best suits your needs.

Upload a PowerPoint Presentation

To upload a PowerPoint presentation, click Upload after logging into Office.com and select a file from your device.

Open an Existing PowerPoint Presentation Online

All PowerPoint presentations saved from a device are automatically uploaded to OneDrive and can be accessed via PowerPoint’s online version. As mentioned earlier, you can upload and save presentations and access them anytime.

Adjusting the Ribbon Menu Layout

You can toggle between the classic and single-line ribbon interface to suit your preferences. The Ribbon menu can also be adjusted to stay available or hidden periodically. 

Naming Your Presentation

It is best to name your presentation to ensure it is easy to search and open later via OneDrive. Otherwise, a generic name will be assigned to the presentation (e.g., Presentation 1). To name your presentation, click on the generic name at the top and type in the new name.

Formatting and Design

As you start formatting your slides, the Designer feature will provide you with options to create layouts for your slides. You can optionally use this feature to get started with the basic design for your slides or use the Design tab to select design elements.

Like the desktop app, the Design tab in PowerPoint Online provides access to themes, background and slide size adjustment options, and theme variants to help you design your slides.

Adding Content

The Insert tab provides all the necessary options to add new slides, tables, pictures, shapes, icons, SmartArt, text boxes, audio, video, cameo to insert Live camera feed, and other options. 

Formatting Pictures

Like the desktop version of PowerPoint, pictures can be added from your device, stock images, or via Bing search. The Picture tab can be used to format added pictures after selecting them. Various options in this tab allow you to crop, add a picture frame, and adjust the picture on the slide.

You can also access Format Options via the right-click menu.

This will open a sidebar providing options to adjust the selected image’s width, height, angle, shadow, reflection, and text margins.

Formatting Videos

PowerPoint for the web allows formatting videos via the Shape tab and Format Options via the right-click menu. The Shape tab can give a frame or shape to the video, adjust the outline, manage how it is displayed on the slide, and adjust the size of the video. Sometimes, the Shape tab might be replaced with the Video tab to show editing options. This change is particularly visible if the user is not logged in and is editing the presentation as a Guest user. The Format Options enable editing the video’s width, height, angle, text margins, shadow, and reflection.

Formatting Audio

Two major options for formatting added audio clips include the Playback tab and Audio Format tab. The Playback tab can adjust the volume, playback trigger, and other related options.

The Audio Format tab includes picture styles for the audio icon, border stylizing, rotation, and other formatting options to adjust how the audio clip appears on the slide.

Annotation Options

The Draw tab gives various tools like pens and highlighters to annotate slides or draw on the screen. Other tools include an eraser, lasso, draw with touch, and stencil.

Transitions and Animations

Like the desktop version of PowerPoint, the Transitions tab for the web version gives transitions to use for your slides. You can adjust the effects of added transitions and duration once you have added a transition for a slide.

The Animations tab can be used to apply standard transitions and adjust effects, triggers, and duration for the animations according to need.

SlideShow, Review, and View

The SlideShow tab is used to start the SlideShow from the beginning of the current slide or to initiate a Live presentation with a QR code and link for viewing the presentation Live. You can also use Rehearse with Coach, use subtitles, and edit subtitle settings. You can also learn more about some of these features from our post about how to present a PowerPoint Online .

If you are searching for the features to check spelling and grammar, comments, changes, and accessibility options, head to the Review tab.

Most PowerPoint users know that the viewing options are available at the bottom of the PowerPoint interface. However, you can also access them from the View tab in PowerPoint. The same features are available for PowerPoint for the web. This includes options like switching between Slide Sorter, Immersive Reader, and Normal View and access to Notes, Zoom, and Fit to Window options.

To share your PowerPoint presentation, click Share from the top left corner of PowerPoint Online. You can create a sharing link according to specific settings, copy the existing link, link to a slide, or view and manage access to the presentation.

Collaborators can be invited via email or link by adjusting whether a user has view-only or editing privileges.

Once the settings have been configured, a link can be generated to copy and share with users. When configuring settings, you can also directly send the link with a message to an end user.

Users collaborating on the slide deck with their names are shown at the top. A generic name is assigned to the collaborator if it’s a guest.

You can see the comments added by collaborators on the presentation by going to Comments.

Next to the Comments button is the Catch-up button that tracks and shows the changes made by real-time collaborators as you work on the presentation.

You can also access sharing options via File -> Share . You can open sharing options or generate an embed code for the presentation from here.

When generating an embed code, you can adjust the width, height, and slide advancement options and generate a code for a website.

To switch between viewing modes, you can change to view only and editing options as you collaborate or open the presentation in the desktop app. These options can be helpful for you to adjust how you wish to work or review the presentation.

To save your presentation, go to File -> SaveAs to save a copy to OneDrive, download a copy of the PowerPoint presentation, rename the file, or download the file in an alternative format such as PDF, ODP, or image.

When saving a copy of the presentation on OneDrive, you can select an existing folder or create a new one to select the file location.

You can consider the tips below to create visually appealing slides with PowerPoint Online.

Focus on Design Consistency

Use a consistent design with a color scheme, fonts, alignment, and graphics tailored to a specific format. Don’t use too many changes that might make the content appear muddled.  

Avoid Heavy Multimedia

Since PowerPoint for the Web is an online platform, not everyone might have the required Internet bandwidth or hardware to run heavy presentations smoothly. Using multimedia content in moderation can help avoid such issues.

Uncluttered Slides

Cluttered slides on an online interface will likely cause compatibility issues for some viewers or the slides might not appear properly on some browsers and devices. To avoid this, try to create uncluttered slides. Using minimalist slides might just be the best way to go.

Even the Distribution of Slide Elements

By evenly distributing slide elements with proper alignment, you should be able to create online slides that are easy for the eyes to follow.

Choose Imagery Carefully

When selecting icons, graphical elements, and pictures, try not to use imagery that is too flashy and might cause issues when opened across different browsers and devices. You can use icons from the built-in icons library in PowerPoint and select pictures that don’t visually overpower the viewer.

Get Design Ideas

You can get design ideas using PowerPoint Designer to adjust your design for visual appeal and design consistency.

Productivity Shortcuts

PowerPoint for the web primarily provides most of the features in the desktop app. Below are some tips and tricks for productivity when using the web version of PowerPoint. For some shortcuts listed below, PC users must use CTRL, whereas Mac users will use Command.

• Insert New Slide using CTRL+M hotkey (Command+M for Mac)
• Use F5 to start the slideshow and Esc to end the slideshow
• CTRL+D duplicates the slide (Command+D for Mac)
• CTRL+Shift+D deletes the slide (Command+Shift+D for Mac)
• Use CTRL+S to save slide (Command+S for Mac)
• Use CTRL+W to close the presentation (Command+W for Mac)
• To open printing options, use CTRL+P (Command+P for Mac)
• Zoom in with CTRL+Plus button (Command+Plus button for Mac)
• Zoom out with CTRL+Minus button (Command+Minus button for Mac)
• Insert a table with CTRL+T (Command+T for Mac)
• Insert a hyperlink with CTRL+K (Command+K for Mac)
• Align text with CTRL+L for left, CTRL+E for center, and CTRL+R for right (Replace CTRL with Command for Mac)

Screen Freezes When Working with PowerPoint for the Web

If your screen freezes while you’re working, the web version of PowerPoint is likely encountering an issue when saving the file, showing elements, or inserting content. You can wait a while, and the issue should be resolved. Also, check your Internet connection to see that you are connected. You might want to close additional tabs and review your system usage to see if your hardware is overwhelmed due to resource-intensive apps or multiple browser tabs.

Slide Elements Don’t Appear Properly

If your browser isn’t compatible or uses a browser plugin that blocks slide elements, you might encounter issues viewing slides. Use a compatible browser and turn off any plugins that might interfere with PowerPoint’s online interface.

File Upload or Download Issues

When you are unable to upload or download files, it is likely that your Internet connection is unstable or disconnected. Check your connection to resolve the issue.

Unable to Login

This is likely caused by incorrect credentials or a recent change in credentials, such as a password. If you cannot log in despite no apparent issues, try to clear your browser’s cache or switch to another browser to see if you can log in.

PowerPoint for the web provides most features available for the desktop version and some sharing and collaboration features that require uploading the file online for use. You will notice that some of these features are smoother when used with the online version compared to the desktop version. Furthermore, the online version of PowerPoint provides access regardless of whether you have PowerPoint installed on your device. If you are someone who does not have a Microsoft 365 subscription and needs to access a PowerPoint file, you can log in for free with a Microsoft account with limited features. Alternatively, if the online version is not an option for you, you can still learn how to create a PowerPoint presentation in the installed version of Office.

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Productivity

The PowerPoint Online Guide: How to Make and Present Slideshows Anywhere

Over the past thirty years, PowerPoint has become synonymous with presentations. Give a speech, present a new product, share finances in a board meeting—all are typically done with a PowerPoint presentation. That’s easy enough if you’re presenting from your laptop and have Microsoft Office installed.

Or it can be far more difficult. You might need to email your slide deck to the event organizer—and hope they have the same version of PowerPoint installed. Or you may carry your PowerPoint file around on a flash drive to open it on the presentation computer. Neither are great solutions, especially for all the times you need to make a last-minute change to your slides or if you don’t typically use Microsoft Office.

A Quick Guide to Office Online

If you’ve ever used the iPad or Android tablet versions of Office, Office Online will feel instantly familiar. The basics are the same. Each Office Online app includes an Office-style toolbar with Home , Insert , Design , and other tabs to organize core editing tools. Office Online apps don’t include all of their Windows features. They include instead a focused set of editing tools that, for most documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, are all you need.

The big difference is that the apps are online. Instead of emailing files back and forth, or syncing changes via OneDrive or Dropbox then sending messages to colleagues when something’s finished, changes happen automatically in Office Online. Your team can open files at the same time, make changes or add comments, and Office will save and sync it to all your OneDrive accounts automatically. Office Online apps also work everywhere. Open any browser, go to Office.com, and your work is ready to pick up where you left off.

Office Online is free for personal use—log into Office.com with a Microsoft account and fill up OneDrive’s free 5GB of storage with all your Office files. A business version is included with Office 365 for business and enterprise accounts as well.

The basics are the same. If you’ve used PowerPoint before, you’ll feel at home in PowerPoint online. Here are the things to keep in mind, the tips to help you work efficiently in your browser, and ways to work around Office Online’s limitations.

A Quick PowerPoint Online Tour

Select a template or open an existing presentation to open it in PowerPoint Online. With a similar design to recent versions of PowerPoint for Mac and Windows, you’ll find the core text and design tools on the main Home tab, options to add images and embedded videos and tables in the Insert tab, slide and template options in the Design tab, animations in the Transitions and Animations tab, and so on. If you can’t find the feature you need, type what you need in the Tell me what you want to do box to search through PowerPoint’s features and documentation.

Need to edit a picture or tweak a SmartArt graph? Select it, and a new Format tab will appear with additional tools as in desktop PowerPoint.

You may not need to look through the toolbars for tools, though. Select text in a slide and PowerPoint shows quick formatting options in a pop-over to change the font, color, and more. Or right-click on most other elements to find their quick editing options. You can then double-click on the toolbar to hide it and increase your workspace, if you’d like, relying on the popover tools to work faster.

Add a new slide: Ctrl + M or CMD + M

Move slides up or down: Ctrl + arrow or CMD + arrow

Add a comment: Alt + N

Go to next slide in Slideshow view: N

Go to previous slide in Slideshow view: P

Go to a specific slide in Slideshow view: G , then type slide number

Exit Slideshow view: Esc

How to Add Presentations to PowerPoint Online

PowerPoint Online is part of Microsoft’s OneDrive file storage. Open a PowerPoint file in OneDrive, and it’ll first show a preview with the option to edit it online.

But surprisingly, PowerPoint Online also works with Dropbox. That gives you another way to open your presentations online. You can save your presentations to either OneDrive or Dropbox, and then when you open PowerPoint Online, you can search through your presentations from both services. Either way, any change you make will automatically be saved to the original file.

The Dropbox integration only works for newer .pptx files. To open .ppt files, download them first, then upload them to PowerPoint Online or OneDrive. When you open them there, PowerPoint will automatically make a copy then convert the presentation to the new format so you can edit it online.

Or, if you have a PowerPoint file on your computer, open PowerPoint Online first, click the Upload a Presentation button, then select your presentation to upload it to OneDrive and open it for editing in PowerPoint Online at the same time.

How to Collaborate on PowerPoint Presentations

Want someone else to proofread your slides, or add their research to a team presentation? That’s easy in PowerPoint Online. From your presentation, click the Share button in the top right toolbar.

The default option is to email an invite link along with a message to your collaborators. You can choose to make the presentation editable or view only and can require a Microsoft account or not.

Or, you can copy a share link to send to anyone or share publicly online if you’d like. Select the Get a link tab to copy a link to your presentation—again, as a view-only presentation or with permission to edit. Here, if you make an editing link, anyone can tweak the presentation without signing into an account.

PowerPoint Online will show an icon beside the slide your collaborator is currently editing and will mark the section they’re working on in the same color. You can’t see the exact changes they make while they’re editing—changes take a few seconds to sync—so it’s best not to edit the same slide others are editing at the same time.

Want to chat with your collaborators? As long as everyone has a Skype account, you can open a Skype sidebar and talk with them in your PowerPoint presentation.

What’s Not In PowerPoint Online?

The core editing features are all here. You can add and edit text, photos, shapes, and SmartArt in PowerPoint online, add core transitions and animations to slides and elements, and present your presentation all from PowerPoint Online.

One of the main differences from PowerPoint’s desktop apps are the embedding options. In desktop versions of PowerPoint, you can embed video and audio from your computer, along with data from other Office apps and macros. In PowerPoint Online, you can embed online videos from YouTube—along with graphs and data from PowerBI and other add-ins in the Office Add-ins pane.

Animations are also more limited in PowerPoint Online. It includes only eight transitions, including Fade and Push , with animations that don’t require graphics acceleration. If you add a presentation that uses other animations from PowerPoint for Windows or Mac, you’ll need to select others or present without animations.

Fonts are another core difference. PowerPoint Online includes 18 fonts, including Arial, Comic Sans, Courier New, Garamond, Georgia, Rockwell, Tahoma, Times New Roman, and Verdana. You can’t install 3rd party fonts or choose fonts you have installed on your computer.

So, to make sure your PowerPoint presentations look great everywhere, stick with the fonts included with PowerPoint Online. That’s easy as they’re the only options in PowerPoint Online, but if you use another PowerPoint app, try using the Web fonts as they’re mainly fonts that work everywhere.

If you upload a presentation that uses a font not included in PowerPoint Online, you can still view the text in the correct font in PowerPoint Online on your computer or another computer with that font installed. If you don’t have the font installed, PowerPoint Online will replace that font with another similar font.

Beyond that, though, PowerPoint Online is surprisingly full-featured. It includes everything you need for making and showing presentations online—as long as you don’t need to use custom fonts, embed non-YouTube videos, or build advanced animations.

How to Present PowerPoint Presentations From Your Browser

Once you’ve finished creating your presentation, it’s time to present it. That’s as easy in PowerPoint Online as in the desktop apps. You can start the slideshow from the slide you’re currently editing via the Slide View button in the lower right-hand corner. Or, click the View tab and select to start the slideshow from the beginning or current slide.

PowerPoint Online will switch your browser to a full-screen preview mode. Click anywhere on the screen to go to the next slide, or tap your right and left arrows on your keyboard to navigate between slides. When finished, click again at the end of the presentation or press the Esc key to exit the slideshow and switch back to the windowed editor mode.

PowerPoint also includes controls on the lower left of the slideshow view, along with options in the right-click menu to switch slides or jump to a specific slide.

PowerPoint Online doesn’t include presenter view to show lecture notes on one screen while presenting your presentation on another—but there’s a workaround. While you’re giving your presentation full-screen, your browser with the original PowerPoint Online tab won’t show your slide content (Chrome hides the original window; Safari shows a Exit Full Screen placeholder). Instead, you can open a new tab or window and open your presentation there as well.

When you switch slides, move your mouse to your projection screen and click to advance—then move your mouse back to your laptop’s screen and select the next slide in your other PowerPoint Online window. Another option is to open your presentation in PowerPoint’s mobile apps and use your phone or tablet to view lecture notes while presenting from your laptop.

How to Convert PowerPoint Presentations Online

PowerPoint Online—unlike PowerPoint for Windows or Mac—can only open .pptx presentation files made with a newer version of PowerPoint. If you open an older .ppt file or a .odp presentation from another app, PowerPoint Online can convert the file to .pptx on the fly so you can edit the presentation.

But once you’ve opened the presentation, you can export it in 3 formats: PowerPoint, ODP (used with OpenOffice), or PDF. Click the File tab in the toolbar to open the core PowerPoint menu, select Download As , then choose the file format you want. PowerPoint Online will convert your presentation and save it to your computer so that you can share the original file with others.

The best option is to share the PowerPoint presentation directly in PowerPoint Online—but when you need a traditional presentation file, that’s a handy way to get it.

How to Save All Your Presentations to PowerPoint Online

There’s one trick to make PowerPoint Online the presentation app that’s always ready when you need it is: Save all your presentations to OneDrive or Dropbox. That way, whenever you need to present something, it’ll be a few clicks away inside PowerPoint Online.

If you already use OneDrive or Dropbox to sync your files, you’re halfway there. Save every new presentation there, every time. Whenever someone sends you a presentation, save it there also.

App automation tool Zapier can do that for you automatically. One of the most common ways to share presentations is through email—so Zapier can watch your Gmail or IMAP-powered email account for new presentation files. With Gmail, you can include a search to watch for presentation files. Use has:presentation to watch for any presentation—though note that this will also include Google Slides presentations which won’t work with PowerPoint Online. Or, use filename:pptx OR filename:ppt to watch for all PowerPoint attachments.

Then, Zapier can save the presentation file to online storage to open and edit it in PowerPoint Online. The simplest is OneDrive since it’s PowerPoint Online’s core storage, though you could use Dropbox instead as it only takes a few extra clicks to open your presentations there.

You can save the presentation in any folder, and add a customized file name if you’d like. Then select the attachment from Gmail or your IMAP email and have Zapier copy that file to OneDrive or Dropbox. Next time you need to present something someone emailed you, don’t open your email app—instead, open PowerPoint Online and open the presentation there directly.

Ready to save any presentation you get emailed to PowerPoint Online? These Zaps will help you get started in a few clicks—remember to set up your search or filter to watch only for PowerPoint files:

Save new Gmail attachments to OneDrive

Save new email attachments to OneDrive

Save new attachments in Gmail to Dropbox

Back up new IMAP email attachments to Dropbox

That’s PowerPoint Online. It’s a handy way to tweak and present your presentation, even if you don’t have a copy of PowerPoint installed. And it just might be the new presentation app you need for a more focused, free way to make presentations anywhere.

Need more presentation tips and tools? Check out these other Zapier guides:

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Matthew Guay

Matthew Guay is an editor and writer in Bangkok. When he's not writing, he's likely reading a new book or exploring random streets in a new city. Follow Matthew at @maguay.

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Basic tasks in PowerPoint for the web

With PowerPoint for the web, you create presentations in your web browser. They are stored in your OneDrive , and you can edit and share them online without needing other software.

Following are some basic steps for creating and showing a presentation. Select a heading below to open it and see the detailed instructions.

Edit a presentation in PowerPoint for the web

If you have a presentation open in view-only mode, you can choose Edit in Browser to make changes to it in your browser.

Select Edit Presentation .

Select Edit in Browser .

If you want to open the online folder where the presentation is stored, click OneDrive in the left upper corner.

When that folder opens, you can delete a document, open another document, or navigate to other folders. 

Pick a theme

PowerPoint comes with themes —sets of professionally designed color schemes and slide layouts. Just pick a theme, and all your slides will follow that look.

On the Design tab, select a theme.

Every theme has four color variations you can choose from in the Variants group.

Pick a layout for your slides

Each slide layout has placeholders for text, pictures, charts, shapes, and more. Pick the layout that works best with the content you plan to present.

Select the slide whose layout you want to change.

On the Home tab, click Layout in the Slides group.

Pick the slide layout you want, and then click Change layout .

To change the size of slide, on View tab, click Slide Size to customize it.

To add text to your slide, click inside a text placeholder and start typing.

For text bullets, place your cursor in the line of text, and on the Home tab, select a bullet style in the Paragraph group.

Add a picture

On the Insert tab, click Picture .

In the Open dialog box, browse to the picture you want, and then select Open .

Add transitions between slides

For smooth, animated shifts between slides, add transitions.

Select the slide you want to add a transition to.

On the Transitions tab, select a transition.

To open the complete gallery of Transition options, click the downward pointing arrow at the right end.

To apply the transition to all the slides in your presentation, on the Transitions tab select Apply To All .

Add an animation effect to an object

Select the object you want to add animation to.

On the Animations tab, select an animation.

To apply an animation effect, click the downward pointing arrow on Effect Options and choose one.

Present your slide show

You can run your PowerPoint for the web presentation with an Internet connection and a web browser.

To start your slide show, on the Slide Show tab, select Play from Beginning or Play from Current Slide .

(If you've turned off the Simplified Ribbon, you don't have a Slide Show tab; instead use the View tab to start Slide Show.)

To navigate your slide show, point your mouse at the bottom-left corner of the slide. Five navigation buttons (including Previous and Next , on the left end) appear:

To go to any slide in the presentation, right-click the current slide, and select Go to Slide .

Enter the slide number you want to go to in the Slide box, and select OK .

Share your presentation online

As you work on your presentation in OneDrive, you might want to share it so other people can see it or work on it with you.

Select your presentation in OneDrive, and then click the Share tab.

Under Share , click Get a link .

To share a view-only copy of your presentation, under Choose an option , click View only .

To let others view and edit a copy of your presentation, under Choose an option , click Edit .

Click Create link .

To shorten the link you share with others, click Shorten link .

Copy the link, and click Close .

Paste the URL into an email, chat session, or social networking site.

For more information about sharing presentations and co-authoring, see Co-author a presentation by using PowerPoint Online .

Print your slides

You can print your slides and use them as handouts, or you can add your speaker notes to them and use them as a visual aid when you present.

Select File > Print > Print .

PowerPoint for the web creates a printable PDF file and then opens the Print dialog box for your web browser.

Use your printer's options and settings to choose the print layout options you want and print your presentation.

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PowerPoint Online: How to Create an Online Presentation!

Since the launch of Office 365, Microsoft has been making a push to optimize its Office suite for remote work. With the free version of PowerPoint Online, you can easily create presentations and share them with your audience.In this article, we’ll show you what features, advantages and disadvantages you can expect with PowerPoint Online.

This is PowerPoint Online

PowerPoint users typically turn to the classic program installed on their computer’s. But did you know there’s also an online version of the world’s most popular presentation software? Welcome to PowerPoint Online .

Although it doesn’t have some of the familiar tools from the desktop version (see Desktop version vs. PowerPoint Online: Advantages and disadvantages ), the online version offers plenty of features to create professional presentations .

Since 2010, Microsoft has been offering its well-known Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.) as free online versions. All you need is a web browser (see PowerPoint Online requirements ). The data processing of the web app runs via a Microsoft web server. Your data is also stored online in the Microsoft cloud (OneDrive).

PowerPoint Online: Where to find it

PowerPoint Online and the web app are free services. You can’t download the web app itself – a Microsoft server collects your data. But you can download your created presentation slides and save them on your PC.

Here you can find the link to PowerPoint Online version. Log in with your Microsoft ID and select PowerPoint. If you decide to use the web app, you can find it here .

If you don’t have a Microsoft account yet, create a free account and log into PowerPoint online here .

PowerPoint Online requirements

PowerPoint Online is straightforward and doesn’t involve any complicated requirements . All you need is:

• Internet access
• A web browser (Mozilla Firefox, Edge, Chrome, Safari, etc.)
• A Microsoft ID to log in (you can find this in your Office program on your PC if you use Office programs)
• Enough OneDrive storage space, the cloud where your presentations will be stored (You get free OneDrive storage with your Microsoft ID)

PowerPoint Online requires you to register (log in) first . The login guarantees that your presentations will be saved on the web server be available the next time you need them.

The advantages of using PowerPoint Online

Does PowerPoint Online work the same way as the full version of PowerPoint on your PC? PowerPoint Online’s features are extensive and more than enough to create a professional presentation .

There are features you’ll have to do without in the online version. This is because some of them are technically not feasible online . To enjoy all of PowerPoint’s features, you’ll have to use the paid PC version.

We’ve compiled the most important advantages and disadvantages of PowerPoint Online for you here:

How to create a presentation with PowerPoint Online

1. Open your web browser and go to PowerPoint Online (link provided above). Log in with your Microsoft ID.

2. You now have the choice to (a) continue editing an existing presentation, (b) create a new presentation, or (c) open a presentation from an external storage device .

a. Presentations that have already been created are displayed at the bottom center of the home page.

b. For a new presentation, go to New > Blank Presentation or select one of the suggested templates. c. Presentations saved on external storage devices (e.g., USB stick) can be uploaded, opened and edited by clicking Upload a Presentation .

3. To (re)name your presentation, select the presentation name box at the top and enter the desired name.

4. Now you can create and edit your presentation as usual using the various buttons (new slides, layouts, designs, content, animations, transitions, etc.).

5. The program automatically saves your progress to OneDrive, provided your internet connection is up and running . If you lose your internet connection, the program will synchronize when you reconnect .

6. Would you like to download your presentation or save it to an external device ? Then click File and select Save As . You can also save it as a PDF or print it under File .

7. To show your finished presentation to an audience, select the Slide Show Presentation tab.

You can find a video tutorial here .

Alternatives to PowerPoint Online

Microsoft is just one of several companies that offer online solutions for presentations. Below, we’ve summarized the most important applications and their advantages and disadvantages.

Online presentations with Google Slides

Google offers a free alternative to PowerPoint for presentations: Google Slides. Like Microsoft, you only need a Google account to use the program. While Google Slides doesn’t offer as many features for effects and visual tweaks, you can create diagrams and edit the slide master. This allows you to easily create business presentations as well.

Collaborative work is easy with Google Slides. With just one click, you can share presentations via email or a link. You decide whether others can see, comment or edit your presentation. Just like in PowerPoint 365, it’s possible to work on the same presentation at the same time. No matter where you are, you can create your presentations online, share and access them anywhere – completely free of charge.

Google Slides lets you open and edit PowerPoint presentations . You can add Google Slides add-ons that include additional features, such as special charts, templates and much more. But be aware : these add-ons are created by third parties and some of them require payment.

To use of Google Slides in larger teams, Google offers a business option and G Suite Essentials . These don’t modify the program itself nor unlock any additional features. What they do offer are increased security features and team collaboration options. Google Business customers are given wide-ranging features for sharing. You decide who can download presentations, print them and see comments. Google is currently offering the business service G Suite as a free trial.

Click here to go to Google Slides.

Microsoft Sway

Microsoft Sway is a web application for creating professional presentations . Microsoft Sway has only been around since 2017 and represents a new approach to presentations: presentations are no longer based on pages (slides), as with PowerPoint Online, but can be scrolled through horizontally, like an eBook, or vertically, like a website.

Click here to go to Microsoft Sway.

Present Online with Prezi

Prezi is another online presentation software provider. What makes Prezi unique is that it doesn’t use slide sets. Instead, all the slides are part of a single, large slide that you navigate during the presentation.

Like Google Slides, Prezi is primarily marketed as an online service ; offline versions of presentations are only available as part of a subscription plan. You can create presentations online via Prezi and also share them via a link. Up to ten people can work on a slide at the same time and you can see who’s working on what in an overview window. Prezi allows you to control presentations remotely – if someone starts a presentation, you can guide them through it from wherever you are. This is especially handy when international teams are presenting a topic together. It also means that any cell phone can be used as a remote control, making you completely independent of on-site technical capabilities.

Click here for Prezi.

Adobe Express

Adobe Express lets you create presentations for free – no design skills required . Adobe uses a presentation generator with design tools to create professional charts and presentations . In addition to pre-designed layouts, you can add videos and media to your slides and choose from templates with free images, video clips and icons.

Click here for more information about Adobe Express.

More online presentation options

There are plenty of options for creating presentations online. Sites like Zoho , Visme , Pitch and Slides all provide similar features to PowerPoint Online, Google Slides and Prezi.

PowerPoint stands out from the rest as the software that can be used completely and reliably offline. You can work on or present your presentations without an internet connection. You never know when you may need that option.

Pro tip: collaborate online

Finally, we’d like to mention a few applications that are designed to make online collaboration easier. Work is becoming more and more mobile and teams more international, increasing the demand for such solutions. These programs are also a great solution for small and medium-sized companies that operate domestically. Teamwork and effective knowledge exchange are important for every company!

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is a chat platform in Office 365 that is designed to facilitate and improve collaboration and communication . Messages can be sent to individual users, groups and team members. The real-time exchange makes communication that much more efficient. In addition to chat, Microsoft Teams offers a wide range of video and audio communication options .

Appointments with external parties and even entire webinars can be set up with Microsoft Teams. The program is ideal for improving collaboration between small and medium-sized teams and increasing efficiency in group work. Larger companies may find that collaborating online presents a logistical challenge. Teams has gradually developed into a robust solution for them as well.

Click here for Microsoft Teams.

Microsoft SharePoint

SharePoint is another web-based document management and collaboration platform developed by Microsoft. The program is geared towards large groups or companies that need a solid data sharing structure . SharePoint is excellent for storing data and documents and editing them together in real-time.

SharePoint 365, a cloud-enabled version of SharePoint, was introduced with the launch of Office 365. It augments the Office 365 applications and simplifies data sharing for collaboration . Depending on your needs, both Microsoft Teams and SharePoint are great tools for networked, team collaboration. You can also use these platforms to simplify both short and long-term collaboration.

Click here for Microsoft SharePoint.

Design high-quality presentations quickly and easily with PowerPoint Online!

PowerPoint Online offers users a free alternative to the fee-based, full version for PC. The online version allows you to create professional presentations and access many PowerPoint features. PowerPoint Online offers many advantages (e.g., automatic saving), but a few limitations as well . PowerPoint Online is nevertheless a viable solution for the average user.

With its straightforward user interface , presentations can be created quickly. Thanks to the Slide Show option, you can share your presentations and be ready for remote business meetings that are becoming commonplace in 2022.

For more ways to share your presentations live and online, check out this blog post .

Do you have questions about PowerPoint Online or general questions about PowerPoint? Please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected] We’ll be happy to help you! Are you looking for professionally designed templates for your presentation ? Feel free to take a look around our online shop . You’ll find modern and up-to-date templates for a wide range of topics and business areas.

These articles may also interest you:

• Online presentations
• Virtual presentations
• PowerPoint Presenter View

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Make beautiful presentations, together

Stay in sync in your slides, with easy sharing and real-time editing. Use comments and assign action items to build your ideas together.

Present slideshows with confidence

With easy-to-use presenter view, speaker notes, and live captions, Slides makes presenting your ideas a breeze. You can even present to Google Meet video calls directly from Slides.

Seamlessly connect to your other Google apps

Slides is thoughtfully connected to other Google apps you love, saving you time. Embed charts from Google Sheets or reply to comments directly from Gmail. You can even search the web and Google Drive for relevant content and images directly from Slides.

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How to use Google Slides, Google's free slideshow presentation maker

• Google Slides is Google's slideshow presentation program that allows real time collaboration.
• Google Slides is part of the Google Workspace suite, which also includes Google Docs and Gmail.
• Google Slides differs from Microsoft PowerPoint in its simplicity and collaboration options.

Google Slides is a presentation program that's part of Google Workspace, a group of productivity apps that also includes Gmail, Google Sheets, Goole Docs, Google Meet , and more. Workspace has more than 3 billion users worldwide. 

With Google Slides, users can create, present, and collaborate via online presentations from various devices. You can present during Google Meet calls directly from Slides and embed charts from Google Sheets. You can also add YouTube videos to Slides presentations. 

Google recently announced plans to add artificial intelligence features like its Gemini AI tool to its Workspace programs, which include Slides. Users will be able to use Gemini to create images or written content for slides, or even reference other files in their Drives or emails in their Gmail accounts.

What is Google Slides? 

Google Slides is a cloud-based presentation program that's part of the Google Workspace. Google Slides can be used to create and deliver presentations online. 

Several different themes are available in Slides for designing presentations. Users can customize Slides presentations in a variety of colors and styles. You can add photos, videos from YouTube, charts from Google Sheets , and information from many other sources. Different members of a team can contribute and collaborate on the presentation in real time. 

There's no specific limit on how many slides you can add to your Google Slides presentation, but there is a 100 MB file size limit.

How to download Google Slides 

To access Google Slides, visit slides.google.com . 

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You can also open Slides while Gmail or Google Chrome is open by clicking on the Google Apps icon in the upper-right corner (shown as three rows of dots) and selecting Slides. 

Another option is to download the Google Slides app for your Apple or Android device. Search for Google Slides in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

What templates are available? 

Dozens of Google Slides templates are available, depending on your needs. For instance, there are general presentation templates, photography portfolios, pitch decks, case studies, science fair projects, and more. 

To browse the templates available, open Google Slides. Then, click Template Gallery in the upper-right corner. Scroll through the options, choose the one that meets your needs, and start creating a presentation. 

What's the difference between Google Slides and PowerPoint? 

Both Google Slides and PowerPoint are presentation programs. Google Slides is a program within Google Workspace, and PowerPoint is a Microsoft program. PowerPoint is an offline program, while Slides is online which allows for real time collaboration.

The programs share many features that allow for presentation creation and delivery, but PowerPoint may offer more advanced design features. 

You can convert Google Slides into PowerPoint presentations, and vice versa. From the top menu in Slides, click File, Download, and choose Microsoft PowerPoint. 

How to learn to use Google Slides 

Through Google Workspace, you can access several quick-start guides, cheat sheets, and troubleshooting resources to help you learn to use Google Slides. There are also many YouTube videos with tutorials for using Slides.

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A simple guide to slideshows

Learn what slideshows are, how they’re used, common features, and how to choose a slideshow maker. Get started creating your own slideshows today with Microsoft PowerPoint.

What is a slideshow?

What are slideshows used for.

Meetings and presentations

Slideshows are most frequently used to create professional presentations for business meetings, conferences, and educational purposes. A  slideshow program  allows people to organize content, include visuals, and enhance the overall impact of their message.

Visual storytelling

Because slideshows sequentially display engaging visuals, text, and other multimedia, they’re a strong way to tell a cohesive and compelling narrative from start to finish.

Content creation

Slideshows give content creators a versatile and efficient way to organize information, increase visual appeal, and communicate effectively across different contexts.

Photo and video sharing

Slideshow makers are popular for creating photo and video presentations, especially for events like weddings, birthdays, and vacations. People can add transitions, music, and captions to fully bring the photo-sharing experience to life.

Training and tutorials

Slideshows help break down complex information into digestible chunks with the support of visuals and text, making them ideal for instructional materials, tutorials, and training modules.

Collaborative projects

In collaborative settings, teams use slideshow makers to create joint presentations or reports. The best slideshow makers enable multiple contributors to add their content simultaneously, which helps ensure a cohesive and unified presentation.

What are the features of a slideshow creator?

Slideshow creators vary in what they offer but ideally include:

A library of templates, themes, and images.

If you’re not a designer, this feature is huge. Simply browse the options available in your slideshow maker library to create a polished, professionally designed presentation in a flash. Be sure to confirm that access to the library is free and the images are approved for unrestricted usage.

Audio and video compatibility.

Keeping your audience engaged is key to any successful slideshow presentation. To mix things up, being able to add a multimedia element—like a song or a video clip—will help people stay focused and interested.

Presentation tools.

Handy presenter tools go a long way toward making your slideshow experience seamless. For example, straightforward slide navigation, slideshow keyboard shortcuts, pen and highlighter markup, and adjustable resolution settings.

AI assistance.

With AI revolutionizing content creation, using a slideshow maker that has AI capabilities will enhance efficiency and innovation. Depending on the slideshow app you have, creating an entire slideshow could be as easy as a quick prompt, like “Make a presentation about the benefits of sustainable fashion that has 15 slides.” 

Animations.

Like audio and video, animations give your audience a bit of sensory surprise that can capture their attention. 

Slide transitions.

Add some pizzazz to how you change slides with visual effects like fading, wiping, and zooming. 

Screen recording.

Being able to record your screen in a slideshow maker is helpful when giving an instructional talk, software demonstration, and other types of presentations that require visual aids.

A place to put speaker notes.

Having somewhere to jot a few notes down will help remind you of everything you want to cover as you present.

Different viewing options.

Looking at different views—for example, a presenter view, an audience view, and a high-level view of slide order—is useful when organizing your slideshow’s structure and understanding and preparing for what you’ll see versus what your audience will see.

How do I choose the right slideshow maker?

When choosing a slideshow maker, keep the following questions in mind to make sure you get the most for your money:

Is it scalable with your business?

As your organization grows and changes, it’s important to have flexible technology that adapts to new needs. Having certain features—such as cloud-based collaboration, compatibility with other work apps, and a mobile app—will help ensure that no matter how your business changes, the slideshow maker is up to the task. This also applies to pricing plans. Consider choosing a slideshow app that has a subscription plan (so the software is always up to date), volume-based pricing, or enterprise-level pricing.

Does it have a variety of visual elements?

It’s pretty much a given that a slideshow maker will allow you to add images, but think outside the JPEG box—what other visual elements are available to you? Features like preset themes, free templates, SmartArt, a built-in clip art library, shape tools, background styles, 3D models, and charts and graphs provide diverse ways to switch up how a slideshow looks without relying solely on adding your own images.

Is it easy to use?

You could have the most feature-rich slideshow maker on the market, but if it isn’t easy to use, you probably won’t use it. Or you will, but you’ll be frustrated, waste valuable time, and have difficulty convincing people you work with to use it. As you research slideshow makers, look for videos that show the apps’ interfaces in action to help you decide if they’re intuitive and will have a shorter learning curve.

Does it have collaboration and sharing options?

Because making a slideshow is often a collaborative effort, it’s worthwhile to find a slideshow creator that was designed with this in mind. Pick one that offers editing controls and commenting, as well as the ability to work on a slideshow at the same time as someone else. Having a cloud-based slideshow maker will be key here. You’ll not only save yourself time but also keep things simple by not having multiple versions of the same slideshow.

Explore more about slideshows and slideshow makers

Copilot in powerpoint.

Transform how you make slideshows with the versatile AI in Copilot for PowerPoint.

Improve your presenting skills

Practice presenting with an AI speaker coach to get feedback on body language, repetition, and pronunciation.  

Six slideshow tips and tricks

Read up on tips about how to finesse your slideshows to give your most confident presentations.

Get free PowerPoint templates

Show your style with PowerPoint templates in more than 40 categories.

How to make a branded slideshow

Create a cohesive visual identity for your brand that goes beyond adding a logo to every slide.

Try a photo album template

Relive your favorite memories with photo album templates designed for all your unforgettable moments.

The benefits of visual aids in slideshows

Discover why using visual aids helps communicate ideas and messaging more effectively.

Slideshows that reach all learners

Explore the different ways that people learn and how to include all learning styles in your presentations.

Frequently asked questions

How do i make a good slideshow.

Making a good slideshow in PowerPoint is easy:

Plan what you’d like to include in your slideshow.

Launch your slideshow creator.

Choose the theme you’d like.

Import media.

Add text, music, and transitions.

Record, save, and share your slideshow.

Learn more about how to make a slideshow .

How do I add music to a slideshow?

To add music to a slideshow, first make sure that you’re using a slideshow maker with music compatibility. In PowerPoint, follow these steps:

Open your PowerPoint presentation and select the slide where you want to add music.

Click on the Insert tab in the ribbon menu.

Click on the Audio button and select Audio on My PC.

Browse to the folder on your computer where the audio file is located and select it.

Click on the Insert button.

How do I record a slideshow?

The steps for recording a slideshow in PowerPoint will vary depending on the version that you own. Get help with slideshow recording based on your version. 

What types of files can I add to a slideshow?

File compatibility in PowerPoint includes the use of JPEGs, PNGs, TIFFs, GIFs, PDFs, MP3s, WAVs, MIDIs, MPEG-4 Videos, and Windows Media Videos.  

How do I share my slideshow?

To share your PowerPoint slideshow, follow these steps:

Open your presentation and click Share at the top right of your screen.

If your presentation isn't already stored on OneDrive, select where to save your presentation to the cloud.

Choose a permission level, like Anyone with a link , or maybe just people in your company. You can also control if people can edit or just view the doc. 

Select Apply.

Enter names and a message.

Select Send.

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How To Get Free Access To Microsoft PowerPoint

E very time you need to present an overview of a plan or a report to a whole room of people, chances are you turn to Microsoft PowerPoint. And who doesn't? It's popular for its wide array of features that make creating effective presentations a walk in the park. PowerPoint comes with a host of keyboard shortcuts for easy navigation, subtitles and video recordings for your audience's benefit, and a variety of transitions, animations, and designs for better engagement.

But with these nifty features comes a hefty price tag. At the moment, the personal plan — which includes other Office apps — is at $69.99 a year. This might be the most budget-friendly option, especially if you plan to use the other Microsoft Office apps, too. Unfortunately, you can't buy PowerPoint alone, but there are a few workarounds you can use to get access to PowerPoint at no cost to you at all.

Read more: The 20 Best Mac Apps That Will Improve Your Apple Experience

Method #1: Sign Up For A Free Microsoft Account On The Office Website

Microsoft offers a web-based version of PowerPoint completely free of charge to all users. Here's how you can access it:

• Visit the Microsoft 365 page .
• If you already have a free account with Microsoft, click Sign in. Otherwise, press "Sign up for the free version of Microsoft 365" to create a new account at no cost.
• On the Office home page, select PowerPoint from the side panel on the left.
• Click on "Blank presentation" to create your presentation from scratch, or pick your preferred free PowerPoint template from the options at the top (there's also a host of editable templates you can find on the Microsoft 365 Create site ).
• Create your presentation as normal. Your edits will be saved automatically to your Microsoft OneDrive as long as you're connected to the internet.

It's important to keep in mind, though, that while you're free to use this web version of PowerPoint to create your slides and edit templates, there are certain features it doesn't have that you can find on the paid version. For instance, you can access only a handful of font styles and stock elements like images, videos, icons, and stickers. Designer is also available for use on up to three presentations per month only (it's unlimited for premium subscribers). When presenting, you won't find the Present Live and Always Use Subtitles options present in the paid plans. The biggest caveat of the free version is that it won't get any newly released features, unlike its premium counterparts.

Method #2: Install Microsoft 365 (Office) To Your Windows

Don't fancy working on your presentation in a browser? If you have a Windows computer with the Office 365 apps pre-installed or downloaded from a previous Office 365 trial, you can use the Microsoft 365 (Office) app instead. Unlike the individual Microsoft apps that you need to buy from the Microsoft Store, this one is free to download and use. Here's how to get free PowerPoint on the Microsoft 365 (Office) app:

• Search for Microsoft 365 (Office) on the Microsoft Store app.
• Install and open it.
• Sign in with your Microsoft account. Alternatively, press "Create free account" if you don't have one yet.
• Click on Create on the left side panel.
• Select Presentation.
• In the PowerPoint window that opens, log in using your account.
• Press Accept on the "Free 5-day pass" section. This lets you use PowerPoint (and Word and Excel) for five days — free of charge and without having to input any payment information.
• Create your presentation as usual. As you're using the desktop version, you can access the full features of PowerPoint, including the ability to present in Teams, export the presentation as a video file, translate the slides' content to a different language, and even work offline.

The only downside of this method is the time limit. Once the five days are up, you can no longer open the PowerPoint desktop app. However, all your files will still be accessible to you. If you saved them to OneDrive, you can continue editing them on the web app. If you saved them to your computer, you can upload them to OneDrive and edit them from there.

Method #3: Download The Microsoft PowerPoint App On Your Android Or iOS Device

If you're always on the move and need the flexibility of creating and editing presentations on your Android or iOS device, you'll be glad to know that PowerPoint is free and available for offline use on your mobile phones. But — of course, there's a but — you can only access the free version if your device is under 10.1 inches. Anything bigger than that requires a premium subscription. If your phone fits the bill, then follow these steps to get free PowerPoint on your device:

• Install Microsoft PowerPoint from the App Store or Google Play Store .
• Log in using your existing Microsoft email or enter a new email address to create one if you don't already have an account.
• On the "Get Microsoft 365 Personal Plan" screen, press Skip For Now.
• If you're offered a free trial, select Try later (or enjoy the free 30-day trial if you're interested).
• To make a new presentation, tap the plus sign in the upper right corner.
• Change the "Create in" option from OneDrive - Personal to a folder on your device. This allows you to save the presentation to your local storage and make offline edits.
• Press "Set as default" to set your local folder as the default file storage location.
• Choose your template from the selection or use a blank presentation.
• Edit your presentation as needed.

Do note that PowerPoint mobile comes with some restrictions. There's no option to insert stock elements, change the slide size to a custom size, use the Designer feature, or display the presentation in Immersive Reader mode. However, you can use font styles considered premium on the web app.

Method #4: Use Your School Email Address

Office 365 Education is free for students and teachers, provided they have an email address from an eligible school. To check for your eligibility, here's what you need to do:

• Go to the Office 365 Education page .
• Type in your school email address in the empty text field.
• Press "Get Started."
• On the next screen, verify your eligibility. If you're eligible, you'll be asked to select whether you're a student or a teacher. If your school isn't recognized, however, you'll get a message telling you so.
• For those who are eligible, proceed with creating your Office 365 Education account. Make sure your school email can receive external mail, as Microsoft will send you a verification code for your account.
• Once you're done filling out the form, press "Start." This will open your Office 365 account page.

You can then start making your PowerPoint presentation using the web app. If your school's plan supports it, you can also install the Office 365 apps to your computer by clicking the "Install Office" button on your Office 365 account page and running the downloaded installation file. What sets the Office 365 Education account apart from the regular free account is that you have unlimited personal cloud storage and access to other Office apps like Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Read the original article on SlashGear .

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Create a presentation

Create a presentation from scratch, or from a theme. All themes have a palate of colors and fonts designed to work together. 

Create a blank presentation

Open PowerPoint.

Select one of the Blank Presentation and start typing. 

Note:  Microsoft 365 subscribers will find Design Ideas based on the words you type. You can browse and select a new look.

Create a presentation from a theme

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Double-click a theme in the gallery to create a presentation in that theme. Or search for more templates.

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8 Best AI PowerPoint Generator Tools in 2024

Do you find yourself dedicating an excessive amount of time to creating PowerPoint slides? Yes, creating professional and visually appealing PowerPoint presentations can be a time-consuming task. It’s time to liberate yourself from the confines of PowerPoint and enjoy a more pleasant slide design process! Kindly continue reading below to learn and discover the top 8 AI PowerPoint generator tools available for free, enabling you to craft slides effortlessly in seconds! That’s right, in seconds!

What is an AI PowerPoint generator?

An AI PPT generator is a software solution that uses artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to automate the creation of PowerPoint presentations. These generators often employ machine learning and natural language processing techniques to analyze incoming data, such as text or photos, and then generate presentations from it. They help users create slideshows more quickly and efficiently by automating processes like slide layout, content production, and style ideas.

Benefits of Using an AI PowerPoint Generator

Time-saving: AI generators save time by automating many of the tasks required in presentation creation, such as layout design, content suggestion, and slide formatting. This saves users a significant amount of time over manual creation.

Efficiency: With AI aid, users may quickly create professional-looking slideshows without requiring complex design skills or substantial PowerPoint experience.

Consistency: AI guarantees uniformity among slides by using predetermined templates, styles, and formatting standards, resulting in a consistent look across the presentation.

Enhanced creativity: AI PowerPoint slides can provide design suggestions and layout possibilities, inspiring creativity and allowing users to experiment with various presenting approaches.

Productivity: By speeding the presentation creation process, AI generators allow users to focus on content development and message refinement, resulting in more successful presentations.

Accessibility: AI PowerPoint generators are frequently available online, allowing users to make presentations from anywhere with an internet connection and on a variety of devices.

Cost-effectiveness: Many AI PowerPoint generators have free or low-cost membership plans, which eliminates the need for pricey design software or expert design services.

Best Free AI PowerPoint Generators

Beautiful.ai, slidegenius, presentations.ai.

It is general knowledge that ChatGPT may be used to generate presentation outlines, but few people realize that ChatGPT, a powerful language model, can also be used as an AI for PowerPoint to build slide decks using VBA programs. VBA, or Visual Basic for products, is a programming language that enables users to automate processes in a variety of Microsoft Office products, such as PowerPoint.

While Canva is renowned for its graphic design capabilities, its free AI PPT generator tool deserves recognition in 2024. With Canva’s intuitive drag-and-drop interface and extensive library of templates and graphics, users can create polished presentations in no time. From pitch decks to educational slideshows, Canva offers versatility and convenience for all presentation needs.

Another tool you can use as your AI PowerPoint generator is GitMind . its Slide Show Mode instantly converts your mind maps into PowerPoint presentations with a single click. It automatically analyzes your mind map’s structure to generate slide layouts and content tailored for PowerPoint. This saves you time and effort by eliminating manual adjustments. GitMind also offers customizable templates, collaboration tools, and integration with popular cloud storage services.

True to its name, Beautiful.AI is dedicated to helping users create beautiful presentations effortlessly. Leveraging AI ppt generator design recommendations and smart templates, Beautiful.AI enables users to design visually stunning slideshows without the need for design expertise. With its user-friendly interface and customizable features, Beautiful.AI is a top choice for professionals looking to make a lasting impression.

SlideGenius will come out as one of the top AI ppt slides in 2024. SlideGenius’ straightforward interface and advanced AI algorithms allow users to produce spectacular presentations in minutes. SlideGenius simplifies the presentation development process, from automatic slide design suggestions to content generation and layout optimization, allowing users to focus on creating compelling tales.

Presentations.AI is an innovative system that uses AI for powerpoint technology to improve the production and delivery of presentations. It includes a variety of features that are intended to shorten the presentation process and boost overall performance. Presentations.AI allows users to construct a presentation using text input, outline, imported PDF, or company template.

Prezi has long been synonymous with dynamic and interactive presentations, and its free AI PPT generator features continue to impress in 2024. With Prezi’s zooming canvas and smart templates, users can create engaging presentations that captivate audiences and convey complex ideas effectively. Whether you’re delivering a sales pitch or a TED-style talk, Prezi provides the tools to stand out from the crowd.

Zoho Show is another standout AI PPT generator that has garnered attention in 2024. Built on cutting-edge AI technology, Zoho Show offers a wide range of features, including smart formatting, intelligent slide suggestions, and real-time collaboration. Whether you’re a solo presenter or working with a team, Zoho Show provides the tools you need to create impactful presentations with ease.

In conclusion, the best AI PowerPoint generator of 2024 is revolutionizing the way presentations are created and delivered. From intelligent design suggestions to seamless collaboration features, these tools empower users to unleash their creativity and communicate with impact. Whether you’re a seasoned presenter or a novice, incorporating AI-powered generators into your workflow can elevate your presentations to new heights. So why wait? Embrace the future of presentations with these innovative AI tools and make every slideshow a masterpiece.

Related posts:

• Best Practices for Managing Remote Teams
• Porter’s Generic Strategies: Definition with Free Examples

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