change presentation aspect ratio ppt

Change the size of your slides

Basic steps.

To change the slide size:

Select the Design tab of the toolbar ribbon.

Select Standard (4:3 aspect ratio) or Widescreen (16:9) or Custom Slide Size .

For more about the predefined sizes (including formats like Overhead, A3, A4, Banner, B4, and B5) or your own custom sizing, click a heading below to expand it and see the details .

Detailed steps

Choose the standard or widescreen slide size.

On the Design tab of the Ribbon, locate Slide Size in the Customize group, near the far right end of the toolbar.

Select Slide Size , and then select either Standard (4:3) or Widescreen (16:9) .

When PowerPoint is unable to automatically scale your content, it prompts you with two options:

Maximize : Select this option to increase the size of your slide content when you are scaling to a larger slide size. Choosing this option could result in your content not fitting on the slide.

Ensure Fit : Select this option to decrease the size of your content when scaling to a smaller slide size. This could make your content appear smaller, but you’ll be able to see all content on your slide.

The 16:9 widescreen setting is the default value for new presentations you create. When you change the slide size for a presentation, the size you choose only applies to that presentation.  However, you can make it easy to create a new 4:3 presentation for yourself whenever you want—by defining a custom theme that uses the 4:3 aspect ratio. See the section below named "Make a default size to start from when creating new presentations."

Choose another size, such as A3, B4, or Overhead

Select Slide Size , and then select Custom Slide Size .

In the Slide Size box, click the down arrow next to Slides sized for and select an option. Their dimensions are listed below:

Overhead provides an aspect ratio very close to the standard 4:3 slide size.

There are two options for 16:9 aspect ratios:

On-screen Show (16:9) sets the slide dimensions to 10 in x 5.625 in.

Widescreen sets it to 13.333 in x 7.5 in.

Both of these options are the same aspect ratio so they will look the same in Normal View , since PowerPoint automatically adjusts the zoom level. Widescreen (13.333 in x 7.5 in.) provides more slide surface area for the content, so that is the best choice for presentations. Widescreen won’t fit on an 8.5" x 11" sheet of paper without you having to scale it down.

Select OK to accept the dimensions and close the Slide Size dialog box.

Choose custom dimensions (in inches, centimeters, or pixels)

The Slide Size dialog box opens.

In the Slide Size dialog box, ensure the orientation is set the way you want it.

In the Height and Width boxes, PowerPoint accepts measurements in inches , centimeters , or pixels . Type a number followed by a space and then the appropriate abbreviation: in , cm , or px .

PowerPoint then converts measurements, if necessary, to the type of unit your operating system uses.

You can change the unit of measure that is shown in PowerPoint dialog boxes if you like.

Make a default size to start from when creating new presentations

This version of PowerPoint has a default size of 16:9 for new presentation, but you can create a different default for yourself.

Start PowerPoint.

On the File tab of the toolbar ribbon, select New . Then double-click the Blank Presentation to create a new, empty presentation.

Then on the Design tab, click Slide Size and choose the size you want for a default.

(If you want a different default slide size than what's listed there, select Custom Slide Size and then choose your size in the Slide Size dialog box, and then click OK .)

Select Save Current Theme .

Give your theme a name that you'll remember easily and click Save . Don't change the folder that the new theme is to be saved in.

On the Design tab, click the More arrow again in the bottom-right corner of the Themes group. You'll see your newly saved theme under a Custom heading.

Right-click that new custom theme under the Custom heading, and then select Set as Default Theme :

Close PowerPoint. Don't save any files if it prompts you.

Open PowerPoint again. On the File tab of the toolbar ribbon, select New .

The custom theme that you just saved is listed at the top left corner, named Default Theme . The thumbnail image looks like a widescreen slide, but in reality, when you create a new presentation based on that theme, the presentation has the aspect ratio that you've defined for this default theme.

The next time you open PowerPoint, you'll see your default theme in the upper-left of the theme gallery. When you select it, all the slides will be the custom size you chose by default.

Sizing applies to all slides in a presentation

PowerPoint isn't able to resize one slide within a presentation. All slides in a presentation are the same size.

If this is a feature you’d like to request, please send us your feedback to help us prioritize new features in future updates. See  How do I give feedback on Microsoft 365  for more information.

Orientation applies to all slides in a presentation

PowerPoint isn't able to change the page orientation of certain slides. All slides in a presentation have the same page orientation.

Change the page orientation in PowerPoint between landscape and portrait

Use portrait and landscape slide orientation in the same presentation

Reduce the file size of a picture

On the File menu, select Page Setup .

In the Page Setup dialog box, under Slides sized for , select the predefined size you want, or choose Custom and specify the dimensions you want.

Select Slide Size .

Select Standard (4:3) or Widescreen (16:9) .

PowerPoint may prompt you about scaling your content. Choose one of the following options:

Scale: Select this option to decrease or increase the size of your slide content. When scaling to a smaller slide size, this could make your content appear smaller, but you’ll be able to see all content on your slide.

Don't Scale: Select this option to maintain the size of your slide content. Choosing this option could result in your content not fitting on the slide.

Choose Page Setup from the menu that appears.

Page Setup gives you an assortment of predefined slide/page size options. The options and their dimensions are listed below:

In the Slide Size box, click the down arrow next to Slides sized for and select an option.

Widescreen sets the dimensions to 13.333 in x 7.5 in.

Choose custom dimensions (in inches, centimers, or pixels)

Select Slide Size , and then click Page Setup .

The Page Setup dialog box opens.

In the Width and Height boxes, PowerPoint accepts measurements in inches , centimeters , or pixels . Type a number followed by a space and then the appropriate abbreviation: in (inches) or cm (centimeters) or px (pixels).

PowerPoint then converts the measurements, if necessary, to the unit of measurement your operating system uses.

Make a new slide size the default for new presentations

Select Slide Size , and then select Page Setup .

Follow the steps in the prior section to choose the slide size you want.

On the Design tab, click the More arrow below the standard themes.

Click Save Current Theme at the bottom of the window.

Give your theme a name that you'll remember easily and click Save .

On the Design tab, click the More arrow below the standard themes again. You'll see your newly saved theme under Custom .

Right-click your new custom theme, and then click Set as Default Theme .

The next time you open PowerPoint, you'll see your default theme in the upper-left of the theme gallery. When you select it, all the slides will be the size you chose for your default theme.

Some folks have asked about resizing one slide within a presentation. PowerPoint isn't able to do that. All slides in a presentation are the same size.

Some folks have also asked about changing the page orientation of certain slides. PowerPoint isn't able to do that. All slides in a presentation have the same page orientation.

On the Design tab of the toolbar ribbon, click Slide Size in the Customize group.

Click Standard (4:3) or Widescreen (16:9) .

When PowerPoint for the web is unable to automatically scale your content, it prompts you with two options:

The 16:9 widescreen setting is the default value for new presentations you create. When you change the slide size for a presentation, the size you choose only applies to that presentation. 

You can also change the orientation of all the slides in your presentation. See Change the page orientation for instructions.

Choose custom dimensions

In the Width and Height boxes, type a measurement in inches . PowerPoint doesn't accept measurements outside the minimum and maximum shown below:

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How to Change PowerPoint Aspect Ratio

Not knowing what PowerPoint slide size to use? What happen if the PowerPoint aspect ratio of your slides differ from the equipment used in your presentation venue? If you require help, please check out our PowerPoint presentation services .

Meanwhile in this article, we will explain two methods on how you can change the PowerPoint aspect ratio from 4:3 to 16:9 and vice versa. We will also explain how to correct distorted images when the slide ratios are changed. Such knowledge is critical as we should never underestimate the importance of an effective PowerPoint design.

For PowerPoint 2010 and earlier versions, their default aspect ratio is 4:3 ratio. But from PowerPoint 2013 onward, the default has been changed to the 16:9. This is in line with the shift towards the widescreen format for current audio-video (AV) equipment.

Although it is quite easy to change PowerPoint aspect ratio from 4:3 to 16:9 and vice versa, some issues may arise. To change the aspect ratio , click on the “Design” tab on the top left-hand corner. The “Slide Size” on the top right-hand corner will appear. Click on the small dropdown arrow to select either the 4:3 or 16:9 slide ratio.

However, if you are using an old presentation that was created in the 4:3 aspect ratio and you want to copy a slide over to a new 16:9 presentation, the text may be copied over correctly but the image may be stretched to fit the widescreen format.

To overcome this problem when we change PowerPoint aspect ratio, we can use either of the two methods below:

Change PowerPoint Aspect Ratio – Method 1

• Start a new blank PowerPoint presentation in 16:9 aspect ratio.
• Copy and paste the contents of each slide into your new presentation all at once. This can be done by clicking on a single item on your slide. Then hold down the Ctrl key and click the ‘A’ key to select everything on the slide.
• Hold down the Ctrl key and click the ‘C’ key to copy everything that is selected. Go to your new 16:9 slide and click in the middle of it. Hold down the Ctrl key and click ‘V’ to paste everything into it.
• Repeat for all your other slides.

By using the above method, you will retain the aspect ratio of your images and prevent them from getting distorted. After that, you can make the necessary adjustments, if required, to fill up the additional wide spaces in your slide that appear in the widescreen format (see picture below).

Change PowerPoint Aspect Ratio – Method 2

If you copy the entire slide in the 4:3 aspect ratio instead of the individual contents inside each slide and paste them into your new 16:9 presentation, the images in it may get stretched and distorted (see image below).

However, if you have a lot of content to move over, you may find it easier to copy the entire slide over and then adjust the images separately. To fix the distorted images, follow the steps below:

1.    Right click on the image and select “Format Picture”.

2.   Click on “Format Picture” and a column will appear on the right-hand side. Select the “Size & Properties” icon.

3.   This will bring up a few fields such as “Lock Aspect Ratio”, “Scale Height”, “Scale Width” and “Lock aspect ratio”.

4.   Set the “Scale Height” and “Scale Width” to 100% and this will resize your picture to its original proportion.

5.   If your images keep losing their aspect ratio when copied between presentations, check the “Lock Aspect Ratio” field.

Although it is not too difficult to change PowerPoint aspect ratio, it can be tedious nevertheless. This is especially so when you have a large presentation. What happens if you find out your PowerPoint aspect ratio does not match the equipment in your presentation venue? To avoid such a scenario, find out what you need to take note of when designing your presentation. For this, please check out our Effective Presentation Design  and Eight Common PowerPoint Presentation Mistakes  to avoid. This could potentially save you lots of trouble later.

For those working in an education institution, the Education PowerPoint Design   will offer you an insight into what students like or dislike about their lecturers’ PowerPoint presentations.

If you require help in designing or re-designing your presentation, check out our very affordable PowerPoint presentation services . At PowerPoint Creatives Singapore, we provide three very affordable PowerPoint design services using advanced animation and 3D effects. You can check out some of our PowerPoint design ideas or work here . If you are interested, you can learn more about our PowerPoint design process .

In addition, we provide cinemagraph  and infographic design services  to help spice up your presentation. And for businesses that require cost-effective videos for advertising campaign, check out our PowerPoint video design services .

Please feel free to contact us if you have any queries. Beside creating PowerPoint presentations from scratch, we also offer slide design or enhancement services.

If you prefer to design your own presentation, you can download our free PowerPoint diagrams to help with your slides design.

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How to Change Slide Size or Dimensions in PowerPoint

Change PowerPoint Slide Size (Widescreen, Standard or Custom)

by Avantix Learning Team | Updated September 7, 2023

Applies to: Microsoft ® PowerPoint ® 2016, 2019, 2021 and 365 (Windows)

You can change the slide size or aspect ratio of a PowerPoint presentation in all versions. The default slide size or dimensions in 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021 or 365 is widescreen (16:9 aspect ratio). You can also enter a custom slide size if you prefer (including entering slide size in pixels). The best time to set slide size is when you first set up your PowerPoint presentation before you add any content. If you change the size later in the process, you may have to deal with distorted pictures and you may also need to adjust the position and size of various objects on slides in Normal View and in the slide master(s) and layouts in Slide Master View.

The most common slide sizes or aspect ratios are typically used as follows:

• Widescreen or 16:9 aspect ratio is frequently used for onscreen presentations using a projector, monitor or a widescreen TV. Older projectors used the standard aspect ratio but most new projectors are designed for widescreen.
• Standard or 4:3 aspect ratio is often used if slides are intended to be printed on letter size paper.

Slide size changes affect the entire presentation. You cannot change slide size for single slides.

You should never change slide size just before running a presentation as you may not be satisfied with the results. If you already have a presentation with images and other content, it's also a good idea to change slide size on a copy of the presentation so you can keep the original deck and slide size.

Note: Some Ribbon tabs may appear with slightly different names if you are working with PowerPoint 365 and have a smaller screen or different display settings. Buttons on the Ribbon may appear as icons only and are also affected by screen size and display settings.

Recommended article: How to Reduce the Size of PowerPoint Presentations (10 Ways to Compress Your PowerPoint Decks)

Do you want to learn more about PowerPoint?  Check out our virtual classroom or live classroom  PowerPoint courses >

Regardless of the version of PowerPoint you use, you should go through your slides after you change slide size to be sure you are satisfied with the results. Be sure to check the slide master(s) and layouts in Slide Master View as well.

Change slide size to widescreen or standard

To change slide size to widescreen or standard size:

• In Normal View, click the Design tab in the Ribbon.
• Click Slide Size in the Customize group. A drop-down menu appears.
• Select Widescreen, Standard or another option from the drop-down menu. A dialog box appears with options to maximize content or scale to fit (this dialog appears only if you are moving from a larger to a smaller slide size).
• Select the desired option.

Slide Size appears on the Design tab in the Ribbon:

The following dialog box appears in PowerPoint to maximize content or scale to fit only when you change slide size to a smaller size (such as widescreen to standard):

If you select Maximize, the slide content will not be resized when you change to the smaller slide size.

If you select Ensure Fit, PowerPoint will scale your content to fit the smaller slide size.

Change slide size to a custom size

You can use custom slide sizes. Simply choose options from the Slides sized for drop-down menu in the dialog box (such as A4 paper size) or enter custom dimensions.

To change slide size to a custom size:

• Choose Custom Slide Size from the drop-down menu. A dialog box appears.
• Select an option from the Slides sized for drop-down menu or enter the desired slide size in the Height and Width boxes.
• A dialog box appears with options to maximize content or scale to fit (this dialog appears only if you are moving from a larger to a smaller slide size).

Note that the measurement system in PowerPoint dialog boxes is based on your system settings. If you would like to change the measurement system, check out our article on How to Change the Measurement System in PowerPoint.

The following dialog box appears when you select Slide Size and then Custom Slide Size:

You can create posters in PowerPoint by entering a custom slide size such as 36 inches wide by 56 inches high or 91.44 cm wide by 142.24 cm high. The maximum slide size in PowerPoint is 56 inches or 142.24 cm. As a best practice, set the slide size before adding content to the poster.

Many PowerPoint users are not aware that you can enter slide size in pixels (simply enter the measurement with px beside the number). This is useful in a number of situations such as using PowerPoint to create social media posts. If you enter slide size in pixels (such as 200px), when you tab to another box or close the dialog box, PowerPoint changes the pixels to the equivalent in the current measurement system.

Deal with issues when changing slide size

When changing slide size in existing presentations with content, 4 common issues occur:

• Pictures may be distorted as PowerPoint tries to adjust images to fit slide size. Images on slides in Normal View will be affected as well as images on the slide master(s) and layouts. If pictures are distorted, you will need to either manually resize each image or delete them and insert them again.
• Objects such as placeholders and shapes that have been created in PowerPoint are not in the position you'd like. You may need to move objects or reset one or more slides (on the Home tab in the Ribbon, click Reset in the Slides group).
• Extra space is created if you change to a larger slide size. You may need to move or resize objects and adjust the slide master(s) or layouts in Slide Master View.
• If you have changed to a smaller slide size, you may need to increase font size for placeholders and text boxes.

Dimension differences between different slide sizes

In PowerPoint 2013 and later versions, widescreen (16:9) format measurements are different and are set to 13.33 inches wide by 7.5 inches high or 33.867 cm wide by 19.05 cm high. This matches the height of the 4:3 format.

Avoid issues when changing slide size

To avoid issues in PowerPoint related to slide size, you should:

• Try to set slide size as a first step after you create a presentation and before you have entered any content. In 2013 and later versions, the default is widescreen (16:9 aspect ratio).
• If you have changed slide size in a presentation with content, review your slides to be sure you are satisfied with the results. You should also check the slide master(s) and layouts in Slide Master View.
• Never change slide size just before running a presentation as you may not be pleased with the results and you won't have time to fix your slide deck.
• If you have created a presentation with content, make a copy of the presentation first and change slide size on the copy.

Keep in mind that widescreen is normally used for on screen presentations and standard is often used for printed presentations.

This article was first published on October 6, 2019 and has been updated for clarity and content.

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How to Change Your PowerPoint Slide Size (16:9 vs. 4:3)

• PowerPoint Tutorials
• March 10, 2019

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to change your slide size in PowerPoint.

That way you can create slides for any situation including on-screen presentations, printed documents, posters, postcards, handouts, etc.

First off, the two most used PowerPoint slide sizes are:

• 16:9 ratio  for onscreen presentations and new overhead projectors. This is the default setting for the latest versions of PowerPoint.
• 4:3 ratio  for printing slides on standard 8.5 x 11 pieces of paper as handouts.

When starting with a blank PowerPoint presentation, changing your slide size is super easy and straightforward. If not, there are a few issues you’ll need to deal with, each covered below.

That’s why it’s worth figuring out what slide size you need BEFORE you build your presentation. If you later convert your presentation to a different size, it can be painful!

It’s just like the old carpenter saying, “measure twice and cut once.” In PowerPoint, you’ll want to “ask twice (to double confirm the required size) and build once.”

Changing your PowerPoint slide size does not make your PowerPoint presentation larger or smaller. To reduce your PowerPoint file size, you need to learn how to compress a PowerPoint presentation .

Table of Contents

How to change your powerpoint slide size.

By default, new PowerPoint presentations start in the 16:9 slide size format.

This is the NEW standard for most modern overhead projects and monitors and is recommended for most presentations. That said, you can easily change your slide size to something else.

To change your slide size in PowerPoint, simply:

• Navigate to the  Design tab
• Open the  Slide Size  drop down menu
• Select  4:3 ,  16:9  or  Custom Slide Size  (see options below)

When starting with a blank presentation, you are now good to go. You will not have to worry about any of the conversion issues discussed below.

Notice too, how much wider the 16:9 slide size is versus the 4:3 slide size in the picture below. The new size gives you more room for the content on your slides.

When you are converting an existing presentation to a new slide size, you will additionally be given the following prompt:

“You are scaling to a new slide size. Would you like to maximize the size of your content, or scale it down to ensure it will fit on the new slide?

Maximize  leaves all your content as is on your slide, even if it no longer fits on the new slide size that you selected.

Ensure Fit  scales down your content in proportion to the new slide size you have selected. You will only see this option when moving from a larger slide size to a smaller one.

Custom PowerPoint slide sizes

Choosing  Custom  for your slide size gives you additional options to work with. Inside the dialog box you can choose your size on the left and your orientation on the right.

On top of that, you can also input your own custom slide size. However, I recommend using one of the preset PowerPoint dimension options.

• On-screen show (4:3)
• Letter Paper (8.5×11 in)
• A3 Paper (297×420 mm)
• B4 (ISO) Paper (250×353 mm)
• B5 (ISO) Paper (176×250 mm)
• 35mm Slides
• On-screen Show (16:9)
• On-screen show (16:10)

For your orientation options on the right-hand side of the dialog box, you can choose between  Landscape  and  Portrait .

In most situations, you will want one of the default settings. Best practice is  Landscape  for your presentation slides and  Portrait  for your printed notes, handouts and outlines.

Issues when converting 4:3 to the 16:9 slide size in PowerPoint

When converting an existing 4:3 presentation with content into the 16:9 format, you are not given any conversion options. Instead, PowerPoint simply does the conversion for you, which can create several problems.

There are two issues you will face in the new 16:9 slide size.

The first issue is that all the images on your slide master (including company logos) will be stretched to fit the new, larger slide size.

To fix the stretched images, you will need to fix those images (or reinsert them) on your slide master, as if you were creating a PowerPoint template from scratch.

The second issue you will face in the larger 16:9 slide size is that you will have a lot of extra white space on your slides.

While you can leave the space blank, doing so will make your content look weird. Ideally you don’t want a lot of white empty space like that on your slides. Especially since all your font sizes will be so small.

That’s why if you have the time, I recommend resizing your content to fill in the white space. You can do this by either increasing the font size of your content, or adding additional visuals that support your message.

Issues when converting 16:9 to the 4:3 slide size in PowerPoint​

When converting an existing 16:9 presentation to the 4:3 slide size, you are given the option to either  Maximize  or  Ensure Fit  (both covered below).

1. The Maximize option

This option means that the content on your slides will not be resized to fit the 4:3 slide size. The same is true if you move to any smaller slide size.

Maximize Issue #1:  All the images on your slide master (including your company logo) will be distorted.

You might also have issues with other content placeholders, slide backgrounds or anything else that was built on your slide master.  For these issues, you’ll first need to navigate to your Slide Master. Once you are there, you either adjust (or rebuild) your PowerPoint template so that everything fits properly.

Maximize Issue #2:  Your content will not be scaled down to the smaller slide size. Instead, you’ll have overhanging content as pictured above.

For these kinds of spacing issues, you will need to work through your slides to adjust your content.

One recommendation as you move from the larger 16:9 slide size to 4:3, is to break up your slides. Take the contents from one larger slide and break it into two (or even three) separate slides.

Breaking up your content is preferable to just cramming more content on the smaller slide space. Doing so will make your content easier to read when presented on an overhead projector.

2. The Ensure Fit option

This option means that PowerPoint will scale down your content to fit the smaller slide size based on the size you selected.

Ensure Fit Issue #1:  Distorted images, slide backgrounds and anything else that PowerPoint had to automatically resize on your slide master.

To fix these issues, you’ll need to navigate to your slide master and adjust (or rebuild) your template to make everything fit.

Ensure Fit Issue #2:  Your content will be scaled down to fit your new slide size, leaving you with a lot of white space. In addition, all your font sizes will be smaller, making them hard to read.

For small content like this, you’ll need to work through your slides and resize your content accordingly. Keep in mind the people at the back of the room too when choosing a new font style and size.

Saving your custom slide size as a PowerPoint theme

If want to use your own custom slide size for all your future PowerPoint presentations, you can save and set it as a PowerPoint theme.

This is a two-step process as discussed below.

1. Save your custom slide size as a theme

To save your custom slide size (and settings) as your own custom PowerPoint theme, simply:

• Open the M ore options
• Click  Save Current Theme
• Name your Theme (and don’t change the file location it saves to)
• Click  Save

2. Set your custom theme as the default

To set a custom PowerPoint theme as the default for all your future presentations, simply:

• Open the  More options
• Right-click  your custom theme
• Select  Set as Default Presentation
• Close out of PowerPoint (and do not save any presentations if it prompts you)

Once you’ve set your own custom theme as the Default Presentation, it will open every time you start PowerPoint. This saves you from always having to switch your slide sizes.

So that’s how you can change your PowerPoint slide size, either before or after you create your presentation.

And although you are given a lot of flexibility in the slide sizes you can choose from, I recommend using the default slide sizes as used by most people.

It’s also important to remember that switching slide sizes after you have built your presentation can be a total pain. So, to the extent possible, figure out your PowerPoint slide size first before you build out your presentation.

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A better way to change your slide sizes in PowerPoint without breaking it.

• October 6, 2021
• Tips and Ticks

An easy way to change slide sizes in PowerPoint presentations to 4:3 (Standard) or 16:9 (Widescreen) formats without breaking your theme and template or stretching your logos and images.

As with most things related to technology, there is more than one way to skin the cat – or in our case to resize PowerPoint presentations. We are going to discuss both the standard way ( as well as why we don’t recommend it ) and the right way, using our FREE PowerPoint resizing tool.

If you ever changed a presentation to Standard or Widescreen sizes in PowerPoint and thought you would likely agree that the outcome was unpredictable and undesirable.

TLDR: If you want to skip the details and go straight to the instructions on how to use our FREE PowerPoint presentation resizing tool to change slide sizes without breaking your slide content then Click Here .

Why the standard solution does not work:

In short, the standard way to resize your PowerPoint changes and breaks your fonts . Using the PowerPoint resize tool also stretches images , graphics, and logos on your slide and Slide Master Layouts.

The best way to explain what is wrong with this method – is to show you. With your presentation open go to the Design Ribbon and click on the Slide Size drop-down menu and select either the Standard(4:3) or Widescreen(16:9) aspect ratios.

You can pick either ‘Maximize’ – which will cause your content to flow over the edges of the screen or ‘Ensure Fit’ which will create empty gaps on either side of your presentation.

Whichever of the two options you select the result is not going to be what you want. Your slide content probably looks broken, logos might be stretched, the theme’s font has changed to Calibri, your corporate colors might have disappeared and your Master Layout’s placeholders are resized disproportionally.

METHOD 1: The standard way, how to change PowerPoint Slide Sizes in Windows 10 or Mac:

Part 1: before you change your powerpoint slide size.

Step 1:   Make sure your presentation is in its original working format.

Step 2:  Save your Theme color scheme.

1) Click on the View Ribbon, 2) then the Slide Master button

3) Click on the Colors drop-down menu and then on the 4) Customize Colors… button at the bottom of the list.

At the bottom of the Colors dialog box give your color scheme a name in the Name field – and call it whatever you want but remember the name because we are going to use that after we resize our template. Click on Save.

Step 3: Save your Theme fonts

1) While still on the Slide Master Ribbon click on the Fonts drop-down menu and then on the Customize Fonts… button at the bottom of the list.

2) In the Name field give your Theme Fonts a name that you will use and click on the Save button. 3) Close the Slide Master Ribbon by clicking on the “Close Master View” button.

Part 2: After you change your slide size

Step 4: Resize your PowerPoint presentation

After you close the Slide Master Ribbon the Design Ribbon should be visible again. Click on the Slide Size drop-down menu and select either the Standard(4:3) or Widescreen(16:9) aspect ratios and select the ‘Ensure Fit’ option ( it is easier to move items around than to also have to resize them especially when converting to a larger slide size ).

Step 5: Reselect your Theme color and Theme font

With the Design Ribbon still active click the Variants drop-down menu, then color and select the Color Theme you saved earlier, and then do the same for your fonts.

Step 6a: Fix stretched images – Method 1

Here is a quick hack to fix stretched graphics and images.

1) Right-Click on the stretched image and select “Size and Position” to open the Size and Position Task Pane. You will notice the Scale Height and the Scale Width are different, for example; Scale Height might be 99% and Scale Width might be 74%.

2) All you need to do to fix your image is press the up or down arrow on either the Width or Height and voila, your image is no longer stretched. If that doesn’t work then make sure Lock Aspect Ratio is checked.

Step 6b: Fix stretched images – Method 2

Another way to resize your images is to reset your images. To do this you simply select your image and then from the Picture Format Ribbon select the Reset Picture drop-down menu and select Reset Picture & Size button.

Step 7: Move placeholders, content,  and images into their new position.

The last thing to do is move items such as placeholders and images around on your presentation to make them fit better.

METHOD 2: The better way, to change your slide dimensions:

Step 1:  Go to our FREE resize tool Go to our FREE PowerPoint resize tool and Upload your PowerPoint file: www.knockoutprezo.com/resize-powerpoint

Step 2: Select a file location and select your PowerPoint document

Step3: Select whether you want to resize to Standard or Widescreen sizes. Once you make your selection the file will upload, convert the PPTX and then then the download will start automatically.

• PowerPoint won’t stretch your images and graphics
• No more missing colors
• Your theme fonts stay as it was ( Header and Body fonts )
• Your layouts stay in their original location which is a lot more predictable and easier to work with.

Step 3: Move placeholders, content, and images into their new position.

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If you are interested, we also have two other PowerPoint Fixing tools, they are:

• Replace and fix my PowerPoint fonts – ( Find Out More )
• Change and fix my PowerPoint authoring language across all slides and Master Layouts – ( Find out more )

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2 Responses

Unfortunately, the resizing tool did not work for my use case. It simply overlayed a different slide deck formatting, but didn’t change any configurations, which made the deck useless. I like the thought for this tool though, as reformatting slides is a huge pain and time drain.

Do you mind me asking about your feedback about our resize tool. I didn’t quite understand your feedback.

Essentially what the tool does is that it resizes the deck without breaking, stretching etc the presentation assets, HOWEVER the user still needs to adjust the elements of the presentation. Did you go from 16×9 to standard or the other way around? There isn’t a way for the software to tell if you want an element aligning to the left, middle or right of the slide for example.

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How-To Geek

How to change slide size in powerpoint.

PowerPoint allows you to change your presentation's slide sizes, which you may need to do to change how your slides are displayed or printed. Here's how.

Quick Links

Changing powerpoint slide sizes, changing to a custom powerpoint slide size.

PowerPoint allows you to format and present the content of your slides in different ways. If you want to print out or display your PowerPoint slides in a bigger or smaller-than-average size, you can change the slide sizes to match.

PowerPoint has two common slide sizes. The first, 4:3, is a good option if you're using older hardware to present your slides. If you're planning on presenting your PowerPoint presentation using a modern projector or display, then the 16:9 slide size should be your preferred choice.

By default, PowerPoint will default to the 16:9 side slide. To print your slides (full size, one per page), you'll likely need to use a custom slide size, rather than one of these options.

Switching to another size is thankfully an easy process---open your PowerPoint presentation to begin and then click the "Design" tab on the ribbon bar.

In the "Customize" section of the "Design" tab, select the "Slide Size" button. This will display the two common slide sizes in a drop-down menu.

Click either the "Standard (4:3)" or "Widescreen (16:9)" option to switch all of your PowerPoint slides to that size.

Unfortunately, it isn't possible to use multiple slide sizes in a PowerPoint presentation. Just as if you were making PowerPoint slides vertical , any changes you make to your PowerPoint slide sizes will apply to all slides.

Related: How to Make Slides Vertical in PowerPoint

It's possible to use a custom PowerPoint slide size if the default 4:3 or 16:9 options are unsuitable. You might choose to use a custom slide size if you're printing full-size PowerPoint slides using a custom page layout, for instance.

To do this, select Design > Slide Size > Custom Slide Size to display the "Slide Size" options menu.

Various preset slide sizes, such as A3 or A4 paper sizes, are shown under the "Slides Sized For" drop-down menu.

Select one of these preset options, or set your slide dimensions manually using the "Width" and "Height" option boxes. From there, click the "OK" button to save.

If you're scaling down to a smaller size, PowerPoint will ask you how it should handle any slide content.

Choose "Maximize" if you want the slide contents to remain at a similar scale, but with the risk that some of the content may be cut. Alternatively, click "Ensure Fit" to scale the slide contents down in size to match the new slide size without losing any content.

Once saved, the custom slide size you selected will be immediately applied to all of your slides, with slide content being resized or cut to match.

• Tips and guides
• Microsoft 365

Ready for widescreen? How to manage aspect ratios in PowerPoint (16:9 vs. 4:3)

• Holly Thomas
• Personal and family
• Small business

While you can copy slides without graphics or logos from one presentation into another without a hitch, sometimes when you reuse slides that have art, you can get unexpected results, such as stretched or distorted graphics.

This occurs when the templates for the original presentation and the destination presentation use different aspect ratios (aspect ratio: The ratio between picture width and picture height. This ratio can be maintained even when resizing a picture.) Most templates use either a 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio.

Big-screen presentations, such as major keynote addresses at conferences, often use templates with a 16:9 aspect ratio. The dimensions of templates with a 16:9 aspect ratio vary depending on the screen-projection requirements, but they are almost twice as wide as they are tall.

Here are five tips for moving slides and graphics between presentations that use the 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios. The information below is fairly long, but we think you’ll find it quite helpful.

1.     Enter text on shapes and graphics by using an Office program

Text entered by using PowerPoint is resized proportionally, even if the shapes or graphics containing the text are stretched. The text will not be distorted when you copy it from one template to another, although the text might wrap differently within the shapes.

2.     Restore the original dimensions for a graphic

You can “fix” a distorted graphic by resetting it to its original dimensions. Simply double-click the graphic and then on the Format tab on the ribbon menu, in the Adjust group (in PowerPoint 2010) or the Picture Tools group (in PowerPoint 2007), click Reset Picture.

3.    Move slides and graphics by copying and pasting

You can avoid distorting graphics by copying them from one slide to the Clipboard, and then pasting them into the destination presentation that uses the different aspect ratio.

• Click the graphic in the original presentation to select it.
• On the Home tab, in the Clipboard group, click Copy or press CTRL+C.
• Switch to the slide in the second presentation or template, click the distorted graphic, and then press DELETE.
• On the Home tab, in the Clipboard group, click Paste or press CTRL+V.

If you have a large number of slides to move, you might want to paste all the slides into the destination presentation (letting the graphics distort), and then go back slide-by-slide and copy and paste the graphics individually (after deleting the distorted ones). You might find, however, that after pasting the graphics they are still either too large or too small. To fix this, you can resize your original template before copying the graphics (see the next tip).

4.    Resize your original template

Suppose that you want to copy a graphic from a template that uses a 4:3 aspect ratio into a template that uses a 16:9 aspect ratio. If you want the graphic to appear the same height in the 16:9 template, change the height of the 4:3 template to match the 16:9. If the 4:3 template has a width of 10 inches and a height of 7.5 inches, and the 16:9 template that you want to copy into has a width of 16 inches and a height of 9 inches, you can use the Dimensions proportional to 4:3 table later in this article to determine that a new height of 9 inches in a 4:3 template would have a corresponding width of 12 inches.

So in the Page Setup dialog box (located on the Design tab, in the Page Setup group), you would change the Width to 12 inches and the Height to 9 inches in the 4:3 template. You won’t see a change because it is still 4:3 proportional, just scaled up. But when you copy the graphic from the resized 4:3 template into the 16:9 template, it will be the same height as it appears in the 4:3 template. If you want a graphic to appear the same width, resize your original template to match the width of the destination template.

Note   If you have a precise height or width that you must match, you might need to calculate the corresponding width or height yourself. If the height will remain the same, calculate the width for the 4:3 template. Remember, you want the ratio of 4.3 width (or height) to be the same for the 16.9 width (or height). Thus, the formula to calculate the new width for 4:3 = (16:9 width x 4:3 height) /16:9 height.

Copy a graphic while maintaining the height

• Click the graphic to select it.
• On the Design tab, in the Page Setup group, click Page Setup .
• In the Height box, enter the number that you want to keep the same.
• In the Width list, enter the number that you want to change to.

Use the following tables to determine the new width.

Copy a graphic while maintaining the width

• In the Width box, enter the number that you want to keep the same.
• In the Height box, enter the number that you want to change to.

Use the following tables to determine the new height.

5.    Aspect ratio conversion tables

This is actually a very simple concept, but it’s a bit tricky to explain without sounding very technical. So if you are a bit confused, here’s another way to think about this.

The tables below provide width and height dimensions for 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratio templates. So for instance, in PowerPoint, you can set the page dimensions for a 4:3 template to 4″w x 3″h, or 8″w x 6″h or 10″w x 7.5″ high. These are all 4:3 aspect ratios. (You change the page dimensions on the Design menu, under Page Setup .)

The standard size for a 4:3 template is 10″w x 7.5″h. If you read the section above “ Resize Your Original Template “, it described how you can copy and paste a graphic (not a slide, but just the graphic or all the graphics on the slide by marqueeing them, and choosing Copy) from a 4:3 template into a 16:9 template, or vice versa. Copying and pasting the graphic or graphics is a workaround to avoid distorting them. But if the graphic you pasted drops into your target presentation too large or too small, sometimes, you can’t easily resize it. For instance, even if you first group it, text won’t scale down with the graphic, and you may end up with a mess.

The workaround is to go back to the 4:3 template and first resize the template so it is larger or smaller as needed. Use the tables below to find a larger or smaller page size that is still proportional. For example, if your template is standard 4:3, 10″w x 7.5″ h, and the graphic you copied and pasted from it into the 16:9 template was a little too large, go back and change your 4:3 template to 8″w x 6″h.Then copy and paste the same graphic/s into the 16:9 template and this time they will drop in about 20% smaller.

So the idea is, scale the PowerPoint file up or down, then copy the graphics, then go to the second PowerPoint file and paste. If the graphics aren’t the right size and aren’t easy to resize in your target file, go back to the first file, resize the page, copy and paste again. Got it?

Honest, the steps can take some getting used to, but once you’ve done it once or twice it’s not that hard. Any questions?

You can also download a wide variety of widescreen PowerPoint templates from the templates collection at Office.com.

–Erik Jensen and Mary Feil-Jacobs

Erik writes about  PowerPoint  and other Office products for Office.com. Mary manages presentations for senior executives.  

How to Change Slide Size in PowerPoint

While most users are accustomed to the standard 16:9 aspect ratio of presentations, you can change the size of slides in PowerPoint.

You might change to accommodate a different screen size – maybe the older 4:3 aspect ratio – or to create a custom file type. The tool even includes a few predefined sizes to make it easy for you.

You’ll ideally want the size of your presentation to match whatever device it will be shown on (which is why it’s worth asking about the resolution of the screen or projector you’ll be using in advance!)

Here’s how to change slide size in PowerPoint in a few quick steps.

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Change Slide Size Between Standard and Widescreen

The two most common sizes for PowerPoint presentations are standard (4:3) and widescreen (16:9) sizes. The standard size has shifted to 16:9 as more computer and projection screens have moved to this size.

Both are presets that exist within the tool.

Open your presentation, click Design in the top menu. Find the Slide Size button and click to see the two sizes. Click the one you want to use.

PowerPoint will give you the option to scale content to the new size.

Note that when you change slide size, it affects all of the slides in the open file. If you scale, that also impacts every slide. Make sure to go through and make sure the design of each still looks as intended before giving the presentation. Some adjustments may be necessary.

Change to Another Standard Size

You can also change the size of PowerPoint slides to match other common sizes, such as A4, banner, or ledger using page setup features.

Open the presentation, click Design in the top menu. Find the Slide Size button and click Page Setup. The current configuration is noted with a check mark.

Pick the size and orientation you want to use from the menu and click OK. You will be prompted to choose whether you want to scale the content up or down here as well.

Change to a Custom Slide Size

You can also use a custom slide size in PowerPoint, making each slide any size you want.

Click custom. Type the desired width and height in the boxes and click OK. You will be asked if you want to scale the content.

When it comes to custom sized slides in PowerPoint, note that not all templates will act the same way when changing size or scaling up or down. Fonts, design elements, and images can sometimes get out of alignment or not quite look the way you want.

While the scale feature is quite helpful, it is important to always go back and check each slide if you change the size after content has already been added to the presentation.

Don’t forget to take a look at our full PowerPoint templates guide , or our collection of the best PowerPoint templates for your next project!

How to Change Aspect Ratio in PowerPoint

PowerPoint presentations are a great way to convey information effectively and engage an audience. However, ensuring that every element of your presentation, including images and videos, is properly sized to fit your slide can be a challenge. One solution is to adjust the aspect ratio of your PowerPoint slides. This article will guide you through the process of changing the aspect ratio in PowerPoint, including why it matters, different types of aspect ratios, and best practices for using them.

Table of Contents

Understanding Aspect Ratio in PowerPoint

Aspect ratio refers to the proportional relationship between the width and height of an image or video. In PowerPoint, it refers to the dimensions of your slide. The default aspect ratio for PowerPoint is 4:3, which means that the width is 1.33 times the height. However, modern displays, like projectors and televisions, typically have an aspect ratio of 16:9 or wider. Adjusting the aspect ratio of your PowerPoint slides ensures that your presentation fits the aspect ratio of your display.

It is important to note that adjusting the aspect ratio of your PowerPoint slides may affect the layout of your content. For example, if you change the aspect ratio from 4:3 to 16:9, your slide may appear wider, which could cause your text and images to appear smaller. To avoid this issue, you may need to adjust the font size and image dimensions to ensure that your content remains legible and visually appealing.

Another factor to consider when adjusting the aspect ratio of your PowerPoint slides is the type of content you are presenting. For example, if you are presenting a video or image slideshow, you may want to use a wider aspect ratio to take advantage of the full screen. On the other hand, if you are presenting a document or spreadsheet, a narrower aspect ratio may be more appropriate to ensure that all of the content fits on the slide.

Why Aspect Ratio Matters in PowerPoint Presentations

Having the correct aspect ratio in your PowerPoint presentation is crucial because it affects how your images and videos appear on the screen. Failing to adjust the aspect ratio can result in distorted images and videos that look stretched or compressed. This not only affects the visual quality of your presentation but can also hinder the effectiveness of your message. Ensuring that your presentation is properly sized for the display can help you engage your audience and deliver your message effectively.

Another important reason to consider aspect ratio in your PowerPoint presentation is the compatibility with different devices and screens. Different devices and screens have different aspect ratios, and if your presentation is not properly sized, it may not display correctly on certain devices or screens. This can lead to frustration for both you and your audience, as important information may be cut off or difficult to read. By taking the time to adjust the aspect ratio of your presentation, you can ensure that it will display properly on a variety of devices and screens, making it accessible to a wider audience.

Different Types of Aspect Ratios Used in PowerPoint Presentations

There are different types of aspect ratios used in PowerPoint presentations. The most common ones include:

• 4:3 – This is the default aspect ratio for PowerPoint presentations. It is suitable for older displays and projectors.
• 16:9 – This aspect ratio is often used for modern displays like HDTVs and computer monitors.
• 16:10 – This aspect ratio is commonly used for widescreen displays.
• 1:1 – This is a square aspect ratio and is typically used for social media images and videos.
• Custom – You can create your own aspect ratio to fit your specific needs.

How to Check the Current Aspect Ratio of Your PowerPoint Slide

To check the current aspect ratio of your PowerPoint slide, follow these steps:

• Open your PowerPoint presentation.
• Click on the Design tab.
• Click on the Slide Size option.
• You will see the current aspect ratio displayed next to the options.

Step-by-Step Guide to Changing the Aspect Ratio in PowerPoint

Follow these steps to change the aspect ratio of your PowerPoint slide:

• Select the desired aspect ratio from the options. You can choose from Standard (4:3), Widescreen (16:9), or Custom.
• If you chose Custom, enter the desired width and height values in the boxes provided.
• Click on the OK button to apply the new aspect ratio to your presentation.

How to Change Aspect Ratio for a Single Slide or Multiple Slides

If you only want to change the aspect ratio for a single slide, follow these steps:

• Select the slide you want to modify.
• Click on the OK button to apply the new aspect ratio to the selected slide only.

If you want to change the aspect ratio for multiple slides, follow these steps:

• Select the slides you want to modify. To select multiple slides, hold down the Ctrl or Command key while clicking on them.
• Click on the OK button to apply the new aspect ratio to the selected slides.

What to Do When Your Images or Videos Don’t Fit the New Aspect Ratio

When you change the aspect ratio of your PowerPoint presentation, some images or videos may not fit the new dimensions. In this case, there are several options to choose from:

• Crop – Use the crop tool to remove parts of the image or video that don’t fit.
• Resize – Resize the image or video to fit the new aspect ratio. Be aware that resizing can affect the quality of the image or video.
• Add borders – Add borders to fill in the extra space that appears when the image or video is resized to fit the new aspect ratio.

Tips for Resizing Images and Videos in PowerPoint While Maintaining High Quality

To resize images and videos in PowerPoint while maintaining high quality, follow these tips:

• Use high-quality images and videos that are larger than needed, so that they can be scaled down without losing quality.
• Do not stretch or compress images or videos. This can result in a distorted and low-quality appearance.
• Use the crop tool to remove parts of an image or video that do not fit the new aspect ratio rather than resizing the entire image or video.
• Try resizing images or videos outside of PowerPoint using a photo editing software or an online tool to preserve the quality of the original file.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Changing the Aspect Ratio in PowerPoint

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when changing the aspect ratio of your PowerPoint presentation:

• Stretching or compressing images or videos to fit the new aspect ratio.
• Forgetting to check the aspect ratio of your display before adjusting the aspect ratio of your presentation.
• Using low-resolution images or videos that cannot be scaled up without losing quality.
• Not checking your presentation after changing the aspect ratio to ensure that all images and videos fit correctly.

Troubleshooting Problems with Changing the Aspect Ratio in PowerPoint

If you encounter problems when changing the aspect ratio of your PowerPoint presentation, some of the things to check include:

• Make sure that you are using a version of PowerPoint that supports changing the aspect ratio.
• Check that the display you are using supports the new aspect ratio.
• Ensure that all images and videos in the presentation are of high quality and can be scaled up or down without losing quality.

How to Create Custom Aspect Ratios for Your Specific Needs in PowerPoint

If none of the pre-set aspect ratios in PowerPoint work for your specific needs, you can create a custom aspect ratio by following these steps:

• Select the Custom aspect ratio option.
• Enter the desired width and height values in the boxes provided.
• Click on the OK button to apply the custom aspect ratio to your presentation.

Using Templates to Change the Aspect Ratio in a Quick and Easy Way

If you want to change the aspect ratio of your PowerPoint presentation quickly and easily, you can use templates that are available online. Templates can help you change the aspect ratio of your presentation in a matter of minutes. All you have to do is download the template, open it in PowerPoint, and customize it to fit your specific needs.

Best Practices for Using Different Aspect Ratios in Different Situations

When using different aspect ratios in different situations, it is important to follow these best practices:

• Ensure that the aspect ratio of your presentation matches the aspect ratio of your display.
• Use high-quality images and videos that can be scaled up or down without losing quality.
• Use the crop tool to remove parts of an image or video rather than resizing it to fit the new aspect ratio.
• Test your presentation on the display you will be using before presenting it to your audience.

Conclusion: Making the Most of Your Presentations with Properly Adjusted Aspect Ratios

Adjusting the aspect ratio of your PowerPoint presentation is essential for ensuring that your images and videos look their best on the screen. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can change the aspect ratio of your presentation quickly and easily. Remember to use high-quality images and videos, avoid stretching or compressing images and videos, and test your presentation on the display you will be using before presenting it to your audience. By doing so, you can ensure that your presentation engages your audience and delivers your message effectively.

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How To Change Aspect Ratio In PowerPoint Without Stretching

Are you struggling to understand aspect ratio in PowerPoint presentations? Do you find yourself constantly facing issues with stretching when changing the aspect ratio?

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore what aspect ratio is, why it is important, and how you can change it in PowerPoint without experiencing any distortion.

Follow the step-by-step instructions, learn the difference between “Maximize” and “Ensure Fit” options, discover common aspect ratios used in presentations, and find out tips to avoid stretching. Let’s dive in and master the art of aspect ratio in Powerpoint!

Key Takeaways:

• Understand what aspect ratio is and why it is important in PowerPoint presentations.
• Easily change the aspect ratio by following simple steps in the design tab and choosing a desired option.
• Avoid stretching by using high-quality images, cropping, adjusting slide layout, and selecting “fit to slide” and “lock aspect ratio” options.

What is the Aspect Ratio in PowerPoint?

Aspect Ratio in PowerPoint refers to the proportional relationship between the width and height of a slide or image.

Understanding aspect ratio is crucial in creating visually appealing presentations. The aspect ratio determines how your content will be displayed on various devices and screens. It ensures that your slides appear consistent and properly formatted, avoiding any distortion or stretching of images. For example, if you design a slide with a specific aspect ratio and then project it onto a screen with a different aspect ratio, it may lead to cropping or white spaces. Maintaining a consistent aspect ratio throughout your slide deck is essential for a polished and professional look.

Why is the Aspect Ratio Important in PowerPoint presentations?

Understanding the importance of aspect ratio in PowerPoint presentations is crucial for ensuring that visual elements are displayed correctly and maintain consistency across slides.

It’s like setting the stage for your audience to have the best view of your content – choosing the right aspect ratio can make or break your presentation’s visual impact. When you select the appropriate aspect ratio, be it the standard 4:3 or widescreen 16:9, it directly influences how your images and slide templates are structured and sized within the presentation. A mismatched aspect ratio may lead to stretched or distorted visuals, disrupting the flow of your message and distracting your viewers.

How to Change Aspect Ratio in PowerPoint?

Changing the aspect ratio in PowerPoint can be done easily by following a few simple steps within the software.

One important aspect to consider when changing the aspect ratio in PowerPoint is how it affects the overall design and appearance of your presentation. To start, open your PowerPoint presentation and go to the ‘Design’ tab located at the top of the window. Click on the ‘Slide Size’ option, and then select ‘Custom Slide Size’ from the dropdown menu to adjust the dimensions accordingly. You can choose from pre-set ratios or enter custom dimensions for a more tailored design.

When resizing content to fit the new aspect ratio, keep in mind that some elements may need adjustment to maintain a visually appealing layout. Text boxes, images, and other objects may shift or stretch when transitioning between ratios, so it’s essential to review each slide carefully to ensure a polished and professional look.

Choosing the right template for your presentation can also impact how well your slides adapt to a new aspect ratio. Some templates may be more flexible than others when it comes to resizing content, so experiment with different options to find one that best suits your design needs. Remember that consistency in design elements across slides can enhance the overall flow and coherence of your presentation.

Adjusting the slide dimensions is another crucial step in changing the aspect ratio in PowerPoint. By customizing the width and height of your slides, you can ensure that your content is displayed in the desired format without any distortion or cropping. Be mindful of how your content is distributed on the slide and adjust the dimensions accordingly to maintain a balanced and visually appealing layout.

Step 1: Open the PowerPoint Presentation

To begin changing the aspect ratio in PowerPoint, open the presentation you wish to work on.

Upon launching the PowerPoint software, you will be greeted with a familiar interface. Navigate to the ‘File’ menu located in the top left corner. Click on ‘Open’ and browse through your folders to locate the respective PowerPoint presentation file. Once you select the file, simply click ‘Open’ again to access the presentation.

It is essential to make sure that you are working on the correct file to avoid any unintentional modifications. Double-check that the file is not currently in use or locked by another user to prevent any editing conflicts.

Step 2: Go to the Design Tab

Navigate to the Design tab within PowerPoint to access various design settings and tools.

Once you’ve located the Design tab, you’ll find a range of features that allow you to enhance the visual appeal of your presentation. These include Themes , which offer pre-designed color schemes, fonts, and effects to quickly give your slides a professional look. The Design Ideas tool provides suggestions for slide layouts based on the content you input. With the Variants option, you can explore different color combinations for your chosen theme. The Slide Size feature helps you adjust the dimensions of your slides to suit various screen ratios or printing requirements.

Step 3: Click on Slide Size

Locate and select the Slide Size option in the Design tab to modify the dimensions and aspect ratio of your slides.

Once you’ve navigated to the Design tab in PowerPoint, look for the Slide Size button, usually located near the Customize group. Click on this option to reveal a drop-down menu with choices for standard slide dimensions like Standard (4:3) or Widescreen (16:9) . This selection impacts the overall layout and proportions of your presentation, ensuring it fits the screen size it will be displayed on. Opting for Widescreen (16:9) , for instance, offers a more modern format, great for showcasing visuals, while Standard (4:3) may be preferred for compatibility with older projectors or devices.

Step 4: Choose the Desired Aspect Ratio

Select the preferred aspect ratio from the available options to adjust the dimensions of your slides accordingly.

In terms of choosing the aspect ratio for your PowerPoint presentation, it’s essential to consider how it will be viewed and the overall aesthetics you want to achieve. The most common aspect ratios are 4:3 and 16:9, each with its implications.

The 4:3 ratio, historically used for older TVs and computer monitors, may appear slightly square on modern screens but can be suitable for certain purposes. On the other hand, the 16:9 ratio, popular for widescreen displays and modern devices, offers a wider canvas for your content, ideal for cinematic presentations or viewing on larger screens.

Step 5: Select ‘Maximize’ or ‘Ensure Fit’ Option

Opt for either the ‘Maximize’ or ‘Ensure Fit’ option based on your preference to adjust the content within the new aspect ratio.

When you choose ‘Maximize’, PowerPoint enlarges the content to fill the entire slide space, which can sometimes lead to cropping or distortion of the original layout. On the other hand, selecting ‘Ensure Fit’ resizes the content proportionally to fit the new aspect ratio while maintaining the original layout integrity. This option may result in blank spaces around the content, especially if the original aspect ratio varies significantly from the target one.

Step 6: Save the Changes

After making the necessary adjustments to the aspect ratio, remember to save your presentation to retain the new dimensions.

When you alter the aspect ratio of your PowerPoint presentation, it’s crucial to save your work to ensure that all the changes are preserved. Saving the presentation helps safeguard against any potential loss of data or issues with formatting . To do this, simply click on the ‘File’ tab in the top-left corner of the PowerPoint window. From the dropdown menu, select ‘Save As’ and choose the destination where you want to store the updated file. Make sure to give the presentation a new name if needed to differentiate it from the original version. By saving your altered PowerPoint presentation, you guarantee that your efforts to adjust the aspect ratio are not lost or undone accidentally.

What is the Difference Between ‘Maximize’ and ‘Ensure Fit’ Options?

When changing the aspect ratio in PowerPoint, the ‘Maximize’ option stretches the content to fill the slide, while ‘Ensure Fit’ adjusts the content to fit without distortion.

Choosing the ‘Maximize’ option can be beneficial when you want your images or graphics to utilize the full space of the slide, creating an impactful visual presence. Be cautious as this option may result in stretching or cropping of content, especially if your original elements are not proportional to the new aspect ratio.

On the other hand, opting for ‘Ensure Fit’ ensures that all your content stays intact and retains its original proportions in the new layout, maintaining consistency and preventing any distortion or loss of information.

What are the Common Aspect Ratios Used in PowerPoint Presentations?

Common aspect ratios used in PowerPoint presentations include 4:3 and 16:9 , each offering unique dimensions and visual experiences.

The 4:3 aspect ratio, also known as the standard definition, has been a traditional choice for presentations. It provides a taller, more squared-off screen shape, ideal for older projectors or monitors. This ratio is suitable for content-heavy slides or when compatibility with older devices is essential.

On the other hand, the 16:9 aspect ratio, considered widescreen, offers a more cinematic feel with a wider view. It is perfect for showcasing high-definition images, videos, and modern presentations with a focus on visual impact.

How to Avoid Stretching When Changing Aspect Ratio in PowerPoint?

To prevent stretching when changing the aspect ratio in PowerPoint, consider utilizing high-quality images , adjusting slide layouts, and using the ‘Fit to Slide’ option.

Another helpful strategy to avoid distortion in your slides is to duplicate your slides before making any changes to the aspect ratio. This way, you can preserve the original content and layout in case you need to revert.

If you are resizing images within your slides, make sure to maintain the original aspect ratio to prevent any distortion. You can achieve this by holding down the ‘Shift’ key and dragging the corners of the image to resize proportionally.

Consider adjusting the text and other content on your slides manually instead of relying solely on the ‘Fit to Slide’ option. This allows for more control over how the content is arranged and displayed.

Use High-Quality Images

Utilize high-quality images to maintain visual integrity and clarity when resizing content to different aspect ratios in PowerPoint.

When adjusting the aspect ratio of slides, it’s crucial to ensure that the images used are of top-notch quality. Low-quality images can result in pixelation or distortion, diminishing the overall professional look of your presentation. To avoid this, consider using images with high resolution and clarity.

One effective way to optimize image resolution is by using tools like Adobe Photoshop or online platforms like Canva. These tools allow you to resize and enhance images without compromising their quality, ensuring that they appear crisp and clear on slides of varying aspect ratios.

Use the ‘Crop’ Option

Employ the ‘Crop’ option to selectively adjust image dimensions and remove unwanted elements while maintaining aspect ratio consistency in PowerPoint.

Cropping your images is a powerful tool that can help you resize photos without distorting proportions when you need to make aspect ratio changes. This feature is especially useful when you want to keep certain parts of an image intact while resizing or removing unnecessary elements. To use the crop tool effectively, follow these steps:

• 1. Select the image you want to edit in your PowerPoint slide.
• 2. Click on the ‘Format’ tab at the top of the screen.
• 3. Locate the ‘Crop’ button in the ‘Size’ group and click on it.
• 4. Handles will appear around the edges of the image, allowing you to crop it. You can adjust these handles to select the specific area you want to keep.
• 5. Drag the handles inward or outward to resize the image while maintaining the aspect ratio.
• 6. Once you are satisfied with the cropping, press ‘Enter’ or click outside the image to apply the changes.

Adjust the Slide Layout

Modify slide layouts to accommodate changes in aspect ratio, ensuring that text and visual elements align appropriately within the new dimensions.

When shifting aspect ratios in PowerPoint, it’s crucial to pay attention to how your content adapts to each layout. To maintain a professional and visually appealing presentation, make sure to utilize the ‘Slide Size’ option in the ‘Design’ tab to adjust the dimensions accordingly.

One effective way to handle content restructuring is by utilizing placeholders within the slide layouts. These placeholders can be resized and repositioned to ensure that text and graphics remain properly aligned, regardless of the aspect ratio change.

Use the ‘Fit to Slide’ Option

Opt for the ‘Fit to Slide’ option to automatically resize content proportionally when transitioning between different aspect ratios in PowerPoint.

This feature is especially useful when you are working on presentations that will be displayed on various devices with different screen sizes, such as laptops, projectors, or mobile screens. By enabling ‘Fit to Slide,’ you can ensure that your content stays intact and visually appealing regardless of the display settings. For instance, if you are creating a PowerPoint presentation that will be shown both on a widescreen monitor and a standard 4:3 projector, using ‘Fit to Slide’ can help maintain consistency in how the content appears without any distortion.

Check the ‘Lock Aspect Ratio’ Box

Ensure to tick the ‘Lock Aspect Ratio’ box to maintain the original proportions of images or objects when resizing them in PowerPoint.

By enabling this feature, you prevent any unintentional distortion that may occur when resizing without maintaining the original proportions. This is particularly useful when working with graphs, charts, or logos that need to be accurately represented. Locking the aspect ratio ensures that your visual elements stay true to their intended form, preserving the integrity of your design. Consistency is key in creating professional and polished presentations, so utilizing this option can elevate the overall quality of your slides.

What are the Other Tips for Using Aspect Ratio in PowerPoint Presentations?

Plus resizing techniques, consider experimenting with different themes, layouts, and master slides to enhance the visual appeal of your PowerPoint presentations.

Utilizing the aspect ratio effectively in PowerPoint presentations can significantly impact the overall look and feel of your slides. To further optimize your design, maintain a consistent aspect ratio across all your slides to prevent distortion and ensure a cohesive visual experience for your audience.

Another tip is to leverage theme variations to add a touch of professionalism and creativity to your presentation. By exploring different themes, you can easily transform the entire look of your slides with just a few clicks.

Mastering the art of using master slides can save you time and effort in formatting. Create a customized master slide with your preferred layout, fonts, and colors to maintain consistency throughout your presentation.

Don’t underestimate the impact of background customization. Whether you choose a solid color, gradient, or image background, selecting the right background can enhance the readability and overall aesthetic appeal of your slides. Play around with different options to find what best suits your content and style.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: how do i change the aspect ratio in powerpoint without stretching the images, to change the aspect ratio in powerpoint without stretching, go to the design tab and click on slide size. then select “custom slide size” and enter your desired width and height. make sure to uncheck the “lock aspect ratio” box to prevent stretching., q2: can i change the aspect ratio of only one slide in powerpoint, yes, you can change the aspect ratio of individual slides in powerpoint. right-click on the slide you want to change and select “slide size.” follow the same steps as mentioned in the previous question to set a custom size for that particular slide., q3: will changing the aspect ratio affect the overall design of my powerpoint presentation, yes, changing the aspect ratio will affect the overall design of your powerpoint presentation. it may cause certain elements to shift or become distorted, so it’s important to preview your slides after making any changes., q4: how do i know which aspect ratio to choose for my powerpoint presentation, the standard aspect ratio for powerpoint is 4:3, which is suitable for most presentation slides. however, if you are creating a presentation for widescreen displays, you may want to choose the 16:9 aspect ratio., q5: can i change the aspect ratio after i have already created my powerpoint presentation, yes, you can change the aspect ratio at any time, even after you have already created your powerpoint presentation. simply follow the steps mentioned in the first question to adjust the aspect ratio., q6: will changing the aspect ratio affect the quality of my images in powerpoint, no, changing the aspect ratio will not affect the quality of your images in powerpoint. however, if you resize your images, it may cause them to become pixelated. it’s best to use high-resolution images to avoid any loss of quality., similar posts, how to make a slideshow in powerpoint.

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Change the size of slides in powerpoint – instructions, how to change the size of slides in powerpoint: video.

            This video lesson, titled “ Learn How to Change Slide Size in Microsoft PowerPoint 2019 & 365: A Training Tutorial ,” shows you how to change the size of slides in PowerPoint. This video lesson is from our complete PowerPoint tutorial , titled “ Mastering PowerPoint Made Easy v.2019 and 365 .”

Change the Size of Slides in PowerPoint: Overview

            You can easily change the size of slides in PowerPoint. To change the size of slides in PowerPoint, click the “Design” tab in the Ribbon. Then click the “Slide Size” drop-down button in the “Customize” button group. To change the slide size aspect ratio, select either “Standard (4:3)” or “Widescreen (16:9)” from the button’s drop-down menu. Alternatively, to use slides of a custom size or change other slide size properties, select the “Custom Slide Size…” command from the button’s drop-down menu to open the “Slide Size” dialog box.

            To select a preset slide size, use the “Slides sized for:” drop-down in the “Slide Size” dialog box to select a preset slide size from the drop-down menu. Alternatively, to manually set the slide width and height, enter your own custom measurements into the “Width:” and “Height:” spinner boxes. To change the starting number for slide numbering, enter the starting number to use into the “Number slides from:” spinner box.

A picture showing how to change the size of slides in PowerPoint by using the “Slide Size” dialog box.

            To set the slide orientation, select either the “Portrait” or “Landscape” option button in the “Orientation” section of the “Slide Size” dialog box. To set the orientation of notes, handouts, and the outline view, select either the “Portrait” or “Landscape” option button in the “Notes, Handouts & Outline” section. To apply your desired slide size settings in the “Slide Size” dialog box, click the “OK” button at the bottom of the dialog box.

Instructions on How to Change the Size of Slides in PowerPoint:

• To change the size of slides in PowerPoint , click the “Design” tab in the Ribbon.
• Then click the “Slide Size” drop-down button in the “Customize” button group.
• To change the slide size aspect ratio , select either “Standard (4:3)” or “Widescreen (16:9)” from the button’s drop-down menu.
• Alternatively, to use slides of a custom size or change other slide size properties , select the “Custom Slide Size…” command from the button’s drop-down menu to open the “Slide Size” dialog box.
• To select a preset slide size , use the “Slides sized for:” drop-down in the “Slide Size” dialog box to select a preset slide size from the drop-down menu.
• Alternatively, to manually set the slide width and height , enter your own custom measurements into the “Width:” and “Height:” spinner boxes.
• To change the starting number for slide numbering , enter the starting number to use into the “Number slides from:” spinner box.
• To set the slide orientation , select either the “Portrait” or “Landscape” option button in the “Orientation” section of the “Slide Size” dialog box.
• To set the orientation of notes, handouts, and the outline view , select either the “Portrait” or “Landscape” option button in the “Notes, Handouts & Outline” section.
• To apply your desired slide size settings in the “Slide Size” dialog box , click the “OK” button at the bottom of the dialog box.

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How to Change Slide Size in PowerPoint

PowerPoint allows you to change the aspect ratio of your presentation. The widescreen slide size is best when presenting on modern displays with a 16:9 aspect ratio. If you’ll be presenting on an older display with a 4:3 aspect ratio, you’ll want to use the standard slide size instead.

Change the Slide Size

• Click the Design tab.
• Expand the Customize group.

To change the slide orientation, click the Slide Size button and select Custom Slide Size . Change the slide settings and click OK .

• Widescreen : 16:9 ratio is much wider than it is tall and works well for wide, high definition screens.
• Standard : 4:3 ratio is only slightly wider than it is tall and works best for traditional screens.

• Maximize : Crops your content and fills all the available space on the slide.
• Ensure Fit : Scales content down and leaves additional space at the top and bottom of the slide.

The entire presentation is resized to fit the new format.

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How do I change the resolution and aspect ratio of a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation?

Microsoft powerpoint can be a powerful yet simple tool to create digital content. this article describes how you can change the resolution, aspect ratio and design format of a powerpoint presentation in powerpoint to fit your screen., set custom slide size.

When you are starting on a new PowerPoint presentation from scratch or when using your company profile template, the default slide size and resolution may not be optimal for what you are trying to do.

• Open your PowerPoint presentation and select the Design tab.
• Select Slide Size and select Custom Slide Size.
• Select Custom and enter your custom height and width. If you don't know what measurements to enter, please check the list below.
• Select OK (If prompted, then select Maximize )

You have now saved a new custom design, aspect ratio, and resolution of the PowerPoint presentation you are working on. Meaning you have ensured that the content will be optimal on your screen and not look "stretched" or "pixelated."

Tip: We recommend you check out the Databeat PowerPoint Publisher Plugin . Our user friendly plugin can help save time and energy when creating content and of course allow you publish your presentation as pictures or video to DatabeatOMNI directly from PowerPoint! Tip: Setting custom slide size can help you create content in different sizes and formats. I.E. to create custom size banners for websites, content for video walls with a special aspect ratio or even to create content for Social Media!

Slide size measurements in PowerPoint

PowerPoint's default measurement is in centimeters or inches, but when it comes to creating content for screens, you need to think about pixels instead!

Here is a list that can save you some time when setting up a new widescreen presentation. If you are creating content for portrait/vertical screens, swap width, and height.

Meaning 1 px = 0,026458333 cm if you want to calculate your own.

Tip: We recommend not going below Full HD (1920x1080) when creating content for a default Widescreen. To optimize please check out the resolution of your screen. Tip: In PowerPoint you may be able to enter your custom height and width in pixels by simply swapping "cm" for "px" to indicate you want pixels instead of centimeters. I.E. instead of entering "28,575 cm", try entering "1080 px" and see for yourself!

But why is this important?

Please note that they all have the same aspect ratio (16:9) and that Full HD is a quarter of a 4K UDH display. Check out Wikipedia's article on Graphic display resolutions if you want to learn more.

With this in mind, it is essential to know that when you publish content with low resolution to a screen that has a high resolution, it will be upscaled.

Here is a simplified comparison between the same logo in decent quality versus an inferior quality version, which is upscaled to the same size. This illustrates how your content will look bad and "pixelated" on a screen.

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Set Standard 4:3 Aspect Ratio as Default in PowerPoint 2016 for Windows

Learn how to set the standard 4:3 aspect ratio as the default for new presentations in PowerPoint 2016 for Windows. This can be helpful if you need to create most presentations in 4:3 rather than 16:9.

Author: Geetesh Bajaj

Product/Version: PowerPoint 2016 for Windows

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 and higher

Date Created: April 11, 2016 Last Updated: December 13, 2023

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We explored and complained about how PowerPoint 2016 for Winodws has made widescreen (16:9) as the default aspect ratio for new presentations. Although you can change all these new presentations from widescreen (16:9) to standard (4:3) aspect ratio quite easily, it can be a pain to remember doing so each time you create a new presentation! Of course, if you are happy with 16:9 slides, then you need not read the rest of this tutorial. For everyone else, we'll show how you can set your default aspect ratio to standard (4:3):

• Launch PowerPoint, and you will see the Presentation Gallery , as shown in Figure 1 , below. Click the Blank Presentation Theme, as shown highlighted in red within Figure 1 .

• You will see a new widescreen slide in a new presentation, as shown in Figure 2 , below.

• Next, modify the presentation's aspect ratio from Widescreen to Standard, as explained in our Change Presentation Aspect Ratio from Widescreen to Standard tutorial. You can see the resultant Standard (4:3) aspect ratio slide in Figure 3 , below.

• Now, access the Design tab of the Ribbon . Within the Themes group, click the More button, as shown highlighted in red within Figure 3 , above.
• Doing so brings up the Themes gallery, as shown in Figure 4 , below. Within this gallery, select the Save Current Theme option, as shown highlighted in red within Figure 4 .

• This brings up the Save Current Theme dialog box, as shown in Figure 5 , below. Don't change the save location since PowerPoint chooses the default save location for you. Just provide a new name for the Theme, and click the Save button, as shown highlighted in red within Figure 5 .

• Now, access the Themes gallery again, notice that a new Custom section, as shown highlighted in red within Figure 6 , below, has been added within the Themes gallery. Within this section, you will find the new Theme you saved in the preceding step, as shown highlighted in blue within Figure 6 .

• Right-click this new Theme. Doing so brings up the context menu, as shown in Figure 7 , below. Within this context menu, select the Set as Default Theme option, as shown highlighted in red within Figure 7 .

• You can now shut PowerPoint. Do not save the single Standard aspect ratio slide file if prompted.
• Launch PowerPoint 2016 again, and you will see that the Presentation Gallery now includes your new Custom Theme in the top left position, as shown highlighted in red within Figure 8 , below. Compare with Figure 1 . Even though the thumbnail shows a 16:9 slide, don't worry, this is a 4:3 Theme, as you will see in the next step.

• Since this new Theme has an aspect ratio of 4:3, clicking the Theme's thumbnail will open a new presentation with a slide of Standard (4:3) aspect ratio, as shown in Figure 9 , below.

• Save your presentation often.

01 11 02 - Slide Aspect Ratio: Set Standard 4:3 Aspect Ratio as Default in PowerPoint (Glossary Page)

Set Standard 4:3 Aspect Ratio as Default in PowerPoint 2013 for Windows

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