powerpoint use theme from another presentation

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How to Copy a PowerPoint Design Template to Another Presentation

It's quick and easy to copy over a design template

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What to Know

• In the source presentation, select View > Slide Master . In the Slide pane, right-click the Slide Master and select Copy .
• Go to View > Switch Windows and choose the second presentation. Go to View > Slide Master . Right-click the Slide pane and select Paste .
• Choose Use Destination Theme (keeps colors, fonts, and effects) or Keep Source Formatting (copies the source's colors, fonts, effects).

This article explains how to copy a PowerPoint design template over to another presentation. Instructions apply to PowerPoint 2019, PowerPoint 2016, PowerPoint 2013, and PowerPoint for Microsoft 365.

How to Copy a Presentation's Design Template

It's often quicker to copy a design template from a presentation than to find it in the list of PowerPoint templates. 

Go to View in the presentation that contains the design template you want to copy and select  Slide Master .

Right-click the Slide Master in the Slide pane on the left side of the screen and select Copy .

The Slide Master is the large thumbnail image at the top of the Slide pane. Some presentations contain more than one slide master.

Go to View , select  Switch Windows , and choose the presentation you want to paste the Slide Master into.

If you don't see the other PowerPoint presentation on this list, it means that the other file isn't open. Open it now and return to this step to select it from the list.

In the second presentation, go to View and select Slide Master to open the  Slide Master .

To insert the Slide Master from the other presentation, right-click on the Slide pane to the left, select Paste , and do one of the following:

• Choose Use Destination Theme to keep the theme colors, fonts, and effects of the presentation you are pasting to.
• Choose Keep Source Formatting to copy the theme colors, fonts, and effects of the template you are copying from.

Select  Close Master View .

Changes made to individual slides in the original presentation, such as font styles, do not change the design template of that presentation. Therefore, graphic objects or font changes added to individual slides do not copy over to a new presentation. 

To copy PowerPoint slides to another presentation , right-click the thumbnail of the slide you want to copy and choose Copy . Right-click a blank area of the Slides pane where you want to place it and choose one of the pasting options.

To save a copy of a PowerPoint presentation on your computer, go to the File tab and select Download As > Download a Copy . Select Download to continue.

To embed YouTube videos in PowerPoint , select Share > Embed . Select the HTML code and choose Copy . In your PowerPoint slide, select Insert > Video > Insert Video From Website . In the dialog box, right-click the blank area and choose  Paste  > Insert .

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How to Borrow a Theme from Another PowerPoint Presentation

Powerpoint 2013 for dummies.

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If the PowerPoint Themes gallery doesn’t contain the theme you want, you can borrow a theme from another PowerPoint presentation. To recycle a PowerPoint theme from another presentation, follow these steps:

On the Design tab, open the Themes gallery.

The Themes drop-down list opens.

Click Browse for Themes.

Choose Theme or Themed Document dialog box.

Locate and select a PowerPoint presentation with a theme you can appropriate for your presentation.

You may have to browse to find the presentation you want to use.

(Optional) Examine the themes.

Click the Views button in the upper-right corner of the dialog box and choose Preview.

Click the Apply button.

The theme used in the presentation you selected now inhabits your presentation.

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How To Copy Design From One Slide To Another In PowerPoint

Enhance your PowerPoint presentations with visually appealing designs by copying the design from one slide to another.

We discuss the benefits of this technique, step-by-step instructions on how to copy design from one slide to another in PowerPoint, common mistakes to avoid, and valuable tips and tricks to make the process seamless.

Key Takeaways:

Why copy designs in powerpoint.

Copying designs in PowerPoint serves as a time-saving technique to maintain consistency and efficiency in your presentations.

Consistency in design elements such as fonts, colors, and graphical styles is crucial for establishing a visually appealing and coherent presentation. It helps to guide the audience’s focus, enhance readability, and create a lasting impression. Incorporating design consistency throughout the slides enhances the overall flow and professionalism of your content, making it easier for viewers to follow and engage with the information.

What Are the Benefits of Copying Designs?

The benefits of copying designs in PowerPoint are numerous and impactful, ranging from maintaining visual coherence to saving time and effort.

How To Copy Design from One Slide to Another in PowerPoint

Now, move to the slide where you want to paste the design. Right-click on the slide thumbnail in the Slides Pane and select ‘Paste’ to transfer the design onto the new slide seamlessly. You can also use the ‘Paste Special’ function to adjust the formatting and layout of the pasted design to fit the new slide perfectly. Make sure to review the alignment and proportions of the copied design before finalizing the paste operation.

Step 1: Select the Design to be Copied

Step 2: copy the design.

To duplicate the chosen design element seamlessly, users can employ the convenient method of using right-click options or keyboard shortcuts for precision. When the chosen element is highlighted, press and hold the ‘Ctrl’ key on the keyboard and simultaneously click on the element; this action effectively duplicates the design. Maintaining the original formatting and structure, this technique ensures an efficient copying process in PowerPoint without altering any design attributes or layout elements.

Step 3: Navigate to the Slide to be Pasted

Step 4: paste the design.

To seamlessly integrate the design elements into your slide, consider using the ‘Paste Special’ option to retain the design’s original formatting. This step is crucial as it ensures that the copied content aligns perfectly with the destination slide’s layout and design elements.

Step 5: Adjust the Design to Fit the Slide

To ensure the design element integrates harmoniously with the slide’s aesthetics, pay close attention to its dimensions and position relative to other elements. Utilize the alignment tools in your presentation software to fine-tune the placement.

Consistency in font choices across the slide is crucial for a polished look – consider adjusting the typography to maintain a cohesive visual identity.

What Are the Common Mistakes When Copying Designs in PowerPoint?

Copying too much content.

One common mistake when copying designs is replicating excessive content, leading to cluttered slides and visual overload that distracts the audience from the key message.

So, when you are working on PowerPoint presentations, it’s crucial to selectively choose what to duplicate to maintain a clear structure and visual hierarchy. To ensure your slides are impactful, focus on identifying the essential elements that must be replicated for consistency while eliminating redundant or non-essential parts. This strategic approach not only declutters your slides but also enhances the audience’s understanding of the information being presented.

Not Adjusting the Design to Fit the Slide

To ensure a polished and professional look, it is crucial to resize, position, and align the design elements appropriately within the slide. Start by adapting the size of images or graphics to fit neatly within designated areas without losing clarity. Make use of the ‘snap to grid’ feature to easily align objects with precision. Strategically place text boxes and titles to maintain a balanced composition. Review the design from afar and adjust any misplaced elements for optimal visual coherence and consistency.

Not Checking the Design for Errors

Neglecting to review the copied design for errors or inconsistencies can result in visual flaws and inaccuracies that diminish the overall quality of the presentation.

When duplicating design elements in PowerPoint, paying attention to quality checks becomes crucial. Skimming over this step might lead to a myriad of issues that can tarnish the entire presentation’s look and feel. To ensure that your copied design maintains its integrity, be vigilant for common errors such as mismatched fonts, distorted images, or misaligned elements.

Tips and Tricks for Copying Designs in PowerPoint

Another efficient method is duplicating slides that contain your desired design elements. By doing this, you maintain a cohesive look throughout your presentation without having to redesign each slide individually.

For long-term convenience, consider saving your custom designs as templates. This way, you can easily access and reuse them for future presentations, boosting your efficiency and maintaining a professional aesthetic.

Use the “Format Painter” Tool

Use the “duplicate slide” feature.

The Duplicate Slide feature in PowerPoint is an invaluable tool for maintaining coherence and consistency in your presentations. By utilizing this feature, you can effortlessly copy the entire structure and design of a slide, ensuring that your presentation maintains a professional look throughout. To make the most of this feature, follow these simple steps:

Save Your Custom Designs as Templates

Preserve your unique design creations by saving them as templates in PowerPoint, allowing for easy access and reuse of custom styles across multiple presentations.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. how do i copy the design from one slide to another in powerpoint.

To copy the design from one slide to another in PowerPoint, simply select the slide you want to copy the design from and click on the “Format Painter” button in the Home tab. Then, click on the slide you want to paste the design onto and it will automatically apply the copied design.

2. Can I copy the design from one slide to multiple slides at once?

3. what if i only want to copy certain elements of the design to another slide, 4. is it possible to copy the design from one presentation to another in powerpoint.

Yes, you can copy the design from one presentation to another in PowerPoint. Simply open the two presentations in separate windows, select the slide with the design in the first presentation, and then use the “Format Painter” button to apply it to the desired slide in the second presentation.

5. Can I copy the design from one slide to another using keyboard shortcuts?

6. what if i want to copy the design from one slide to another but maintain its original formatting.

If you want to copy the design from one slide to another while maintaining its original formatting, you can use the “Paste Special” function in PowerPoint. Simply select the slide with the design, click on the “Copy” button, then go to the slide you want to paste the design onto and click on the small arrow under the “Paste” button. Choose “Paste Special” and select “Picture (Enhanced Metafile)” to keep the original formatting.

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How-To Geek

How to reuse or import slides from another powerpoint presentation.

We often find ourselves creating the same sets of slides for different presentations---weekly presentations for company meetings, for example.

We often find ourselves creating the same sets of slides for different presentations---weekly presentations for company meetings, for example. Using slides from another PowerPoint presentation is a great way to save time and effort while still giving your presentation the professional appeal it requires.

Importing slides can save a ton of time. Not only does it keep all the animations and other settings when imported, but you can also have the imported slide adopt the theme of the presentation you’re working on.

First, go ahead and open the PowerPoint presentation that you’re working on---the one into which you want to import slides. Next, select the correct location on your presentation where you’d like your imported slide to appear. For example, if you want the imported slide to appear as slide number three, you’ll need to click the space between the existing slides two and three.

Next, switch to the “Home” tab and click the arrow under the “New Slide” button.

On the drop-down menu that appears, click the “Reuse Slides" command.

The Reuse Slides pane opens at the right side of your window. This is where you can browse your computer (or network) for another PowerPoint presentation. Do so by selecting either the “Browse” button or the “Open a PowerPoint File” link and navigating to the presentation that has the slides you want to import.

After selecting the file, you’ll see all of the slides from that presentation appear in Reuse Slides pane. Click any slide to insert it into your new presentation. You can't select multiple slides at once to import; you'll have to click them one at a time.

When you import a slide, it automatically takes on the theme of the current presentation. You can, however, choose to keep the original theme of the slide or even apply that theme to all of the slides by right-clicking one of the slides in the “Reuse Slide” pane and selecting “Apply theme to selected slides” or “Apply theme to all slides,” respectively.

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Copy *only* theme colors from one powerpoint presentation to another

I want to copy over the theme colors from one Powerpoint presentation to another.

The universal method seems to be to use the Format painter across both presentations, like explained e.g. on this microsoft page :

• Open both presentations, and then, on the Window menu, click Arrange All.
• In both presentations, display the Slides tab in normal view.
• Select the slide that has the color scheme you want to use.
• Double-click Format Painter , click in the window of the second presentation, and then click each slide you want to apply the color scheme to. ...
• Press ESC when finished to cancel Format Painter. NOTE When you copy a slide's color scheme to another presentation, the color scheme becomes available in the Slide Design-Color Schemes task pane in the destination presentation.

The problem is , when I follow these instructions also the other formatting (like footer image etc.) gets applied to the slide(s). I only want to theme colors to be copied over, not the other formatting.

How can I do this (in Powerpoint 2007)?

• microsoft-powerpoint
• color-theme

• are you adding the theme to existing documents or creating new presentations? –  James Commented May 8, 2014 at 16:13
• @James: existing documents –  Rabarberski Commented May 8, 2014 at 16:32

2 Answers 2

Converting formats has always been challenging, at least for me. I don't know that you are going to find a one step solution but here is how I would recommend executing:

Create a Master from the correct file.

View Tab >> Slide Master (under Master Views Section)

This brings up all the different slide types and allows you to configure them however you like. It will take some time and effort to create the master. MAKE A BACKUP I suggest a working copy and a backup copy of the blank master...in the case of saving over the top of it on accident...

• Convert old presentations

This is where its messy. Select everything in the old presentations and paste only the content

Chances are at this point you will have to do a little cleanup.

This definitely is not a one step process, but once it is organized it works very well. Anytime you need to create a new presentation you simply open up the working copy of the master and save as.

Also worth mentioning that the more you can avoid custom formatting in the individual presentations the easier it will be to convert/modify your master in the future.

I found a way to do this in Powerpoint 2010.

Open both files.

In the file with color scheme you want, ensure the color scheme name is findable. Copy one slide and paste it into the target file.

Then view the Slide Master view in the target file, and select your custom color scheme for your theme. Then delete the slide that was copied in.

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How To Import PowerPoint Template? [Step-by-Step Tutorial!]

By: Author Shrot Katewa

When you want to change the design of your presentation but don’t have enough time, try using a template. Microsoft PowerPoint has a variety of built-in templates or you want to take it to another level by importing custom templates to your presentation.

To import PowerPoint Template, open your presentation and click on the “File” tab. Then, choose the “Office” option under the “Blank Presentation” option in the “New” screen. Click on your preferred template and hit “Create” to download the template.

Are you constantly using the same theme? Would you like to change the design of each new presentation? This article is a complete guide on how to import a template to a new or existing presentation as well as how can you save a custom PowerPoint template.

Let’s get started!

1. How to Insert PowerPoint Template?

In Microsoft PowerPoint, you can add custom templates to a presentation file using the “File” menu. Using templates in your PowerPoint presentation makes the slides look more connected and coherent. To add a PowerPoint template to a blank presentation, follow the 5 easy steps.

Step-1: Click on the “File” tab

The first step is to open any PowerPoint presentation file. Then click on the “File” tab, the first option in the menu ribbon at the top of the screen. 

Step-2: Click on the “New” option

The next step is to open a new presentation file with a template. To do so, click on the “New” option in the sidebar located at the left side of the screen in the “File” menu.

Step-3: Click on the “Office” option

Under the “Blank Presentation” option in the “New” screen, click on the “Office” option. This will show all the PowerPoint templates available in Office 365. 

Step-4: Select your preferred template

You can scroll down to find your preferred template. You can also click on the search bar under the “Office” option to look for a specific template. Then all you have to do is click on your preferred template. This will open a dialog box.

Step-5: Click on the “Create” button

The final step is to download the template. Click the “Create” button in the dialog box to download the template. The new presentation file containing the template slides will open automatically once the download is complete. 

2. How to Import Custom PowerPoint Template?

Microsoft PowerPoint allows you to create and add custom presentation templates. Using the “File” menu, you can import a custom template to a new presentation or even an existing presentation. 

2.1 How to Apply a Template to a New Presentation?

To apply a custom template to a new presentation in Microsoft PowerPoint, all you have to do is follow the 5 quick steps.

The first step is to open a new presentation. To do so, you can click on the “File” tab in the menu ribbon of any PowerPoint presentation file. This will open the “File” menu.

In the “File” menu, click on the “New” option. It is the second option in the sidebar located on the left side of the screen. This will open the “New” screen. 

Step-3: Click on the “Personal” option

Now you can open a custom template. Click on the “Personal” option under the “Blank Presentation” option in the “New” screen. This will show all the custom PowerPoint templates available on your device. 

Step-4: Select your preferred custom template

All you have to do now is click on the custom template that you want to use. This will open a dialog box.

In the dialog box, click on the “Create” button to open a new presentation file with the selected template automatically applied to it.

2.2 How to Apply a Template to an Existing Presentation?

In Microsoft PowerPoint, you cannot apply a new custom template to an existing presentation file. However, you can import existing slides into a custom template file. All you have to do is follow the 6 simple steps.

Step-1: Apply a custom template to a new presentation 

The first step is to apply your preferred custom template to a new presentation. To do so, follow the steps detailed in section 2.1 .

Step-2: Select the existing presentation slides

The next step is to open the existing presentation where you want to apply the custom template. Then click on the slide thumbnail pane on the left side of the screen to select the slide thumbnail. Press the “Ctrl+A” keys on your keyboard to select all the slides from the slide thumbnail pane. 

Step-3: Click on the “Copy” option

You have to now copy all the existing slides. “Right Click” on the slide thumbnail pane and click on the “Copy” option in the right-click menu. Alternatively, you can press the “Ctrl+C” keys on your keyboard to copy all the slides simultaneously. 

Step-4: Select the template slides

The next step is to open the new presentation file containing the template slide. Click on the slide thumbnail pane located on the left side of the screen. Then press the “Ctrl+A” keys on your keyboard to select all the template slides. 

Step-5: Click on the “Delete Slide” option

“Right Click” on the slide thumbnails and click on the “Delete Slide” option from the right-click menu. You can alternatively press the “Delete” key on your keyboard to remove all the template slides. 

Step-6: Click on the “Use Destination Theme” option

Now all you have to do is click on the down arrow under the “Paste” option in the “Home” menu in the template file. In the dropdown menu under the “Paste” button, click on the “Use Destination Theme” option to paste the existing slides into the new template design. 

3. How to Save Custom PowerPoint Template?

To create a custom template in PowerPoint, you can simply save a presentation as a “PowerPoint Template (.potx)” file. To do so, follow the 4 easy steps.

Step-1: Click on the “File” menu

In the menu ribbon located at the top of the screen, click on the “File” tab. This will open the “File” menu. 

Step-2: Click on the “Save As” option

In the “File” menu, click on the “Save As” option from the sidebar located at the left side of the screen. 

Step-3: Click on the “File Type” box

In the “Save As” screen, click on the “File Type” box that shows “PowerPoint Presentation (.pptx)” by default. Then click on the “PowerPoint Template (.potx)” option in the dropdown menu under the “File Type” box.

Step-4: Click on the “Save” button

Now all you have to do is click on the “Save” button next to the “File Type” box to save the PowerPoint file as a custom template. 

Use multiple slide masters in one presentation

When you want to use multiple themes in one presentation , you’ll need multiple slide masters. Each slide master represents a theme .

For example, in the image that follows, there are two slide masters (with associated layouts beneath each) as you would see them in Slide Master view. Each slide master has a different theme applied to it.

Want to know more about slide masters in PowerPoint? See What is a slide master?

To learn how to create or customize your own slide master, see Create or customize a slide master .

Add an additional slide master to a presentation

On the View tab, click Slide Master .

On the Slide Master tab, do one of the following:

In the Edit Master group, click Insert Slide Master .

When you insert a slide master using this procedure, the new slide master appears below any existing slide masters and the without theme colors or effects. You can apply your own custom theme using any of the options in the Background group. To learn more, see Create your own theme in PowerPoint .

On the Slide Master tab, in the Edit Theme group, click Themes , and then select a new theme.

If your presentation has only one slide master, selecting a new theme using this procedure will replace the theme of that slide master with the new theme.

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How to Add or Change Themes in PowerPoint

Are you tired of using the same theme over and over again? Would you like to change the design? In this new Slidesgo School tutorial, you’ll learn how to add and change themes in PowerPoint .

Changing a Theme

Applying a new theme to selected slides only, importing a theme, editing the colors of the theme.

• Open your presentation in PowerPoint.
• On the Design tab, in the Themes group, select the theme that best fits your needs from the list. If you hover over any of them, you’ll see a preview. When you’re ready to continue, just click the theme. It will be applied to the entire presentation.

Please note that when you use a new theme in PowerPoint, since it is applied to all of the slides, the previous theme will be removed, unless it’s a PowerPoint default theme. In that case, you’ll find it on the list of default themes.

• Go to the Design tab.
• Select the slide whose theme you want to change. If you want to select several slides, just hold Ctrl/Cmd as you click them.
• Choose the theme you want to apply, right-click and select Apply to Selected Slides. Please note that if you change the general theme of the presentation later on, these slides will be affected too.
• On the Design tab, in the Themes group, click the drop-down arrow. Now click Browse for Themes. A new window will open, where you need to select the presentation that contains the theme you want to import.

Please note that the theme will be applied to all of the slides and any previous theme will be removed, unless it’s a default theme (in that case, you’ll find it on the list of default themes).

Depending on the theme, it could have color variations or different palette presets that you can choose to change the color of the elements in your presentation. Let’s see how we can edit the colors of a theme:

• Go to the Design tab. If the theme contains color variations, you’ll see them in the Variants group.
• If you want to change the color palette, click the Variants drop-down arrow, select Colors and choose any of the presets. If you want to apply a specific palette to the presentation, click Customize Colors. A new window will open, where you can select the colors that best suit your needs. You can see a little preview in the top-right corner of this window.
• To change the color of the background, click the Variants drop-down arrow and click Background Styles. You can choose any of the presets or click Format Background, where you’ll be able to use solid colors, gradients, images or patterns as background. If you choose to do it via Format Background, its panel will appear on the right side of the screen. To apply a custom background, click Apply to All. If you change the background using the Format Background options, all your background pictures will be removed.
• In the Variants group you’ll see other two options which allow you to modify the font of the presentation or the effects applied to the resources. Both of these options contain presets and, if you’re using the latest version of PowerPoint, you’ll see an additional option to customize the fonts or the styles.

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Locate a Background

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Before jumping into files, find a background that you like. You can use an existing background from a previous presentation you built or search for presentation background templates online. The online options are broad, and most are available for use as long as you don't use other logos or violate any listed terms or conditions. If you find a background that looks great in another one of your presentations, attempt to save the file. If you cannot save, open the file and leave the presentation slide open on your screen.

Prep Your Presentation Slides

After finding a slide with a great background to use, open a new PowerPoint presentation or the presentation you are currently editing. You should have two presentations open on your screen: the presentation where you want to paste the background and the one with the background you want to copy. With both open, you can copy and paste not only the background but also other elements and entire slides. The content is essentially interchangeable.

Copy and Paste the Background

Locate the slide with the background you want to copy on the left side where all the slides are visible. In some presentations, a consistent background across all slides is a good option, while others call for the background on only a select number of slides. It's all a matter of design preference in that regard. With the slide selected, access your toolbar and click on the "Format Painter" option. It has a paintbrush icon next to the text. Click on the slide to copy the background. Move to your current presentation and select the slide in the left column of slides where you want to add the background to instantly add the background to that slide.

You can use the same process to copy and paste the same background on multiple slides or all the slides. When you select the "Format Painter" option to copy a background, double-click. This action holds the background, and you can paste it to multiple slides by clicking them individually in the left column. This makes it easy to add a background to select slides or to quickly add it to all slides by clicking each one.

• Author Stream: How to Copy PowerPoint Background to Another Presentation
• Microsoft Office Support: Copy and Paste a Slide Master From One Presentation to Another

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How to copy slides to or from another presentation

• Copy the slides from the original presentation to the new presentation,
• Use the Reuse Slides tool , which displays the content of an original presentation and allows choosing the slides you want to insert in the new presentation.

Copy slides

To copy the slides from the original presentation to the new presentation, do the following:

   1.   Open both presentations:

• The presentation from which you want to copy slides – source presentation,
• The presentation to which you need to copy slides – working or destination presentation.

   2.   On the View tab, in the Window group, click the Arrange All button:

Or place the presentations on the screen like you want to see both of them simultaneously.

   3.   Select slide or slides to be copied:

• In the Slide Sorter view, click the slide on the Slide pane.
• In the Normal/Outline/Slide Sorter view, click the first slide you want to select.
• To select a contiguous series of slides, press and hold the Shift key, then click the last slide you want to select.
• To select noncontiguous slides, press and hold the Ctrl key, then click each additional slide you want to select.

For example:

   4.   Copy the selection to the Clipboard by doing one of the following:

   5.   In the working (destination) presentation, do one of the following:

PowerPoint inserts the copied slide(s) and applies the destination theme to the copies.

Reuse Slides tool

The Reuse Slides pane displays all slides from any presentation and copies some of them to the working presentation. To open the Reuse Slides pane, do the following:

   1.   On the Home tab or Insert tab, in the Slides group, click the New Slide arrow, then on the New Slide menu, below the gallery, click the Reuse Slides... command:

   2.   On the Reuse Slides pane (by default, it is opened on the right side), do one of the following:

In the Browse dialog box, browse to the folder that contains the presentation from which you want to use slides, and then double-click the presentation or click the Open button.

If you've recently opened the presentation from which you want to import slides:

• Click the down arrow in the Insert slide from field to expand the list, then select the presentation from the list.

The Reuse Slides pane displays thumbnails of the available slides.

   3.   On the Reuse Slides pane, click the thumbnail of each slide you want to insert into your presentation.

PowerPoint automatically applies the new theme to reused slides:

If you want the slide to keep the formatting from the source presentation instead, select the Keep Source Formatting checkbox at the bottom of the Reuse Slides pane:

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How to create a dynamic presentation

• Add and delete slides Video
• Apply or change a slide layout Video
• Apply Themes to presentations Video
• Get design ideas for slides Video
• Change slide masters Video
• Change the page orientation Video
• Add a watermark to your slides Video
• Organize slides into sections Video
• Add a logo to your slides Video

Apply Themes to presentations

A fast way to give your slides an attractive, professional look in PowerPoint is to apply a theme. Apply a theme to all slides, or specific slides, for a unique impact.

Select Design . Hover over the Themes to preview how it looks, and select the one you like.

By default, the theme you select applies to all slides in your presentation.

Note:  To apply a theme to only one or a few slides, select the slide or slides, right click the theme you want, and select Apply to Selected Slides .

Add color and design to your slides with themes

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How to Copy a Slide from One PowerPoint to Another: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating impactful PowerPoint presentations often means borrowing slides from previous decks or collaborating with colleagues. When faced with this task, it’s reassuring to know that copying a slide from one PowerPoint presentation to another is a simple process . This task can greatly streamline your workflow, saving you both time and effort.

In our experience, utilizing the built-in features of PowerPoint allows for seamless integration of slides. By using options like ‘Copy and Paste’ or ‘Reuse Slides’, you can transfer content without a hitch. One handy tip is that you can drag and drop slides, which feels almost as intuitive as shuffling a deck of cards. This approach is not only efficient but also keeps your formatting intact.

By mastering these methods, we empower ourselves to craft polished and cohesive presentations swiftly. Whether you’re preparing for a crucial meeting or collaborating on a big project, knowing how to effectively copy slides will undoubtedly enhance your productivity. Let’s dig into these techniques and make your next PowerPoint project a breeze!

• 1.1 Choosing the Right Design Theme
• 1.2 Implementing Effective Source Formatting
• 2.1 Utilizing the Reuse Slides Feature
• 2.2 Mastering Slide Arrangement Techniques
• 3.1 Navigating Between Different Views
• 3.2 Optimizing Your Workflow with Shortcuts
• 4.1 Incorporating Multimedia Elements
• 4.2 Exploring PowerPoint Alternatives

Creating and Designing Professional Slides

Let’s explore practical steps to create and design eye-catching PowerPoint slides that make a lasting impact. From selecting a fitting design theme to ensuring consistent formatting, we’ve got you covered.

Choosing the Right Design Theme

Selecting the appropriate design theme sets the tone for a professional presentation. PowerPoint offers a wide variety of themes to choose from. We can find themes by navigating to Design > Themes in the PowerPoint desktop app.

We should consider the topic and audience when picking a theme. For instance, a business presentation might benefit from a clean, minimalist theme, while a more creative topic could use a vibrant, colorful one.

Also, it’s essential to maintain consistency throughout the presentation. Here’s a quick tip: Apply the chosen theme to all slides by selecting Design > Apply to All Slides .

Implementing Effective Source Formatting

Ensuring consistency in formatting across all slides enhances the overall look. We can copy and paste source formatting from one slide to another using tools like Format Painter . This tool is available under Home > Format Painter .

To copy slide formatting:

• Select the slide with the desired formatting.
• Click on Format Painter.
• Click on the slides to which you want to apply the formatting.

For copying entire slides from another presentation, open both presentations in the PowerPoint desktop app. In the source presentation, right-click on the slide thumbnail and select Copy Slide . Then, paste the slide in the destination presentation. This process ensures the formatting and design elements remain intact.

This consistency reinforces our message and keeps our audience focused.

Managing Slide Consistency and Reusability

Consistency and reusability are key to making effective presentations. We can achieve this by utilizing built-in PowerPoint features and mastering slide arrangement techniques.

Utilizing the Reuse Slides Feature

When we want to maintain consistent styling across presentations, the Reuse Slides feature comes in handy. We can open the destination presentation and navigate to the Home tab.

Select Reuse Slides from the New Slide dropdown menu.

The Reuse Slides Pane will open on the right. Here, we can browse for the source presentation. Clicking on a slide will insert it into our current presentation while preserving the original formatting.

This feature helps us save time and ensure all our slides look unified, whether we’re using Microsoft 365 or PowerPoint for the web . With it, we don’t have to worry about manually adjusting design elements every time we import a slide.

Mastering Slide Arrangement Techniques

Once we’ve imported slides, arranging them efficiently is crucial. Using the Slide Sorter view, accessible from the View tab, allows us to see all our slides at once. This visual overview helps in organizing the slides logically.

We can also use Normal View for a more detailed look at each slide. By selecting multiple slides with Shift+Click, we easily move entire sections around.

Another powerful tool is the Arrange All option in the View tab. This allows us to work on multiple presentations side-by-side, simplifying the process of transferring slides while maintaining the flow and consistency of our presentation.

Efficient Slide Handling and Navigation

Efficient handling and navigation of slides in PowerPoint significantly enhance productivity. This section will discuss key strategies for effectively moving, copying, and managing slides.

Navigating Between Different Views

When juggling multiple slides, navigating between different views is essential. In PowerPoint, the Normal view is highly functional as it displays the slides pane, offering a clear thumbnail view of each slide. This aids in quickly selecting the slides we need.

The Slide Sorter view provides a bird’s-eye view, making it easier to move and copy slides. To access Slide Sorter, click on the View tab on the ribbon and select Slide Sorter . This allows us to see all slides at once, facilitating efficient reorganization.

To toggle between these views quickly, use the shortcuts Alt + W, L for Normal view and Alt + W, I for Slide Sorter view on Windows. On a Mac, use Cmd + 1 for Normal view and Cmd + 2 for Slide Sorter view.

Optimizing Your Workflow with Shortcuts

Leveraging shortcuts can streamline our workflow significantly. For instance, to copy a slide, select the desired slide thumbnail and press Ctrl + C for Windows or Cmd + C for Mac. To paste the slide, use Ctrl + V or Cmd + V respectively.

We can also utilize the Duplicate Slide function. Right-click on the slide thumbnail and select Duplicate Slide , or use Ctrl + D (Cmd + D on Mac). This creates an exact copy instantly, saving time compared to traditional copy-paste.

Moreover, the Ribbon provides quick access to the New Slide and Paste Options buttons, enhancing our flexibility. The Paste Options menu even allows us to choose different formatting options for the pasted slides, maintaining consistency.

By mastering these shortcuts and navigation strategies, we can handle our slides more efficiently and create polished presentations with ease.

Advanced PowerPoint Techniques and Alternatives

When working with PowerPoint presentations, there are several advanced techniques to enhance your slides and also alternatives that provide unique capabilities.

Incorporating Multimedia Elements

We can elevate our PowerPoint slides by integrating multimedia components such as videos, pictures , and animations . Adding a video to a slide not only captivates the audience’s attention but also effectively communicates complex ideas. In PowerPoint 2019, inserting a video is straightforward—just go to the Insert tab , choose Video , and select the desired file.

Animations are another powerful tool. They can help emphasize points or make data flow logically on a single slide. When using animations, keep feedback in mind so they enhance, rather than distract from our message.

Interactive pictures can also make a presentation more engaging. Instead of static images, we can use animated GIFs or create clickable hotspots that link to detailed information slides or external resources. Using PowerPoint’s built-in editing tools , we can overlay text and shapes onto images, creating interactive and compelling visuals.

Exploring PowerPoint Alternatives

While PowerPoint 2013 and 2019 are robust tools, sometimes we need something different. Google Slides is a popular alternative, offering seamless collaboration and cloud-based accessibility. Its interface is intuitive, and it supports real-time feedback and edits from multiple users, making it ideal for team projects.

For those who need highly customizable and visually striking graphics, Prezi offers a unique approach with its zoomable canvas. This tool lets us create dynamic, flowing narratives that can stand out in a sea of linear slide presentations.

Additionally, Keynote is perfect for those integrated into the Apple ecosystem, providing powerful design tools and templates. Its smooth transitions and ease of use make it a strong contender.

Using different platforms, we can import slides from one to another, maintaining our design consistency. Embracing these alternatives gives us flexibility and the ability to choose the best tool for each project.

Related posts:

• How to Add Speaker Notes in PowerPoint for Effective Presentations
• How to Add Music to PowerPoint: A Step-by-Step Guide for Seamless Presentations
• How to Curve Text in PowerPoint: Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Add Slide Numbers in PowerPoint: A Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Insert GIF into PowerPoint: A Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Present PowerPoint with Notes: Master Speaker Tips
• How to Create a PowerPoint Template: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
• How to Add Notes to PowerPoint: Enhance Your Presentations with Ease
• How to Add Music to PowerPoint: Step-by-Step Guide for Seamless Presentations
• How to Create an Org Chart in PowerPoint: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
• How to Wrap Text in PowerPoint: A Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Insert a Slide from Another PowerPoint: A Step-by-Step Guide

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How to Copy Slides from One PowerPoint Presentation to Another?

You’ve just created a stellar PowerPoint presentation for an upcoming meeting. But wait – you remember another presentation with slides that would fit perfectly in this one. If only there was a way to integrate them! Oh, wait. There is. Wondering how to copy slides from one PowerPoint to another? Dive in, and let’s unravel the mystery together.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Copy Slides from One PowerPoint to Another

• Shortcut: As a shortcut, press Ctrl+C after selecting the slides.
• Navigate to the Destination: Shift to your second presentation – this is your destination presentation.

• Mismatched Slide Numbers: Ensure continuity by adjusting slide numbers through the ‘Insert’ tab, selecting ‘Slide Number’.
• PowerPoint Versions: If you’re using older versions like PowerPoint 2007 or PowerPoint 2013, some methods may slightly vary. Check Microsoft Support for specific instructions.
• Feedback & Further Assistance: If you encounter any issues, remember to give feedback. For comprehensive guides, the “See Also” section in Microsoft Office support can be beneficial. Also, PowerPoint for the web offers a streamlined interface if you’re working online.
• Final Words:  Mastering the art of moving slides from one presentation to another can save you time and effort, enhancing your productivity. Whether you use drag and drop, shortcut methods, or repurpose slides, you’ll find this knowledge invaluable.

Transferring PowerPoint slides between presentations is essential for efficient workflow. To copy a slide, start by selecting the slide that you want from one presentation and then paste it into another PowerPoint presentation. Always consider the design theme, and you might choose to use the destination theme for consistency. Utilize tools like SharePoint and OneDrive for streamlined collaboration and storage. By practicing these methods, managing your slides will become a breeze. Happy presenting!

Yes, but be aware that some formatting issues might arise due to version differences.

The animations should copy over, but always review to ensure they function as intended.

Yes, PowerPoint’s fundamental functions remain consistent across Windows and macOS.

It could be due to different design themes applied in each presentation. Adjust via the ‘Design’ tab.

There isn’t a set limit, but copying a vast number of slides may slow down the program temporarily.

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