Your TDA Guide
Basic Functions of PowerPoint

The purpose of this document is to review the basic functions of PowerPoint. You may want to open PowerPoint to practice the steps as you read them.

Create a New Document

Create a new document by opening up PowerPoint from your Launcher/Dock or Applications Folder. You will then be presented with the Project Gallery screen. Make sure the “PowerPoint Presentation” option is highlighted and click OK to continue. (PowerPoint will open right up to the "New Slide" layout window)

After passing through the Project Gallery (or Presentation Menu) you will be presented with the New Slide Layout window. Select the type of slide you wish to make and then click OK.

Save your document by clicking the “Save” button in the toolbar. (TIP: To avoid losing any of your content, make sure to click on the “Save” button regularly.)

Workspace

The following screenshot is what a blank PowerPoint slide looks like. PowerPoint is a powerful tool that allows you to put together easy slide presentations, but also with advanced functions used by many business professionals. Highlighted below are some of the parts that you will regularly use in TDA.

Insert a Picture

To insert a picture into your slide click on the “Insert Clip Art” button in the Toolbar as shown below. Then navigate to the Microsoft Clip Art Libraries to find the Clip Art you wish to use or go to the Insert menu, then Picture, and then Clip Art.

Create A New Slide

When you are satisfied with how your first slide looks, you are ready to move on to the next slide. To do this click the “New Slide” button in the Toolbar.

Mac: PC:

Add a Transition

To add a transition to your slide go the “Slide Show” menu and select “Slide Transition...”

From here you can select the type of transition you want for this slide. Use the pull down menu where it says “No Transition” to select the transition you wish to use.

Mac Users: A demo of this transition will appear in the box that has the picture of a dog. When you have selected your desired transition click the Apply button to add it to your slide.
PC Users: A demo of the transition will appear when you click on each transition.

(TIP: When you apply a transition it affects the current slide and the one before it, NOT the one after it. The transition is how the slide will appear on the page not how it will leave.)

Mac: PC:

Modify the Slide Layout

After you have created a new slide you will again be taken to the Slide Layout page to choose the layout for your slide. If you ever need to change the layout of your slide after it has been created, this can be done by returning to the Slide Layout window. To do this click on the “Slide Layout” button in the Toolbar as shown below

or go to the Format Menu and scroll down to Slide Layout.

Editing

For editing tips and tricks, click HERE.

Activity

To practice creating a PowerPoint slide show, complete this activity:

  • Travel Postcards
    • Find pictures of places around the world that you'd like to visit.
    • Save the pictures.
    • Insert each picture into a different presentation slide.
    • Add a description of each place and your reason for wanting to visit.
    • Save your presentation in Student Storage or Documents.