When used correctly, PowerPoint is an extremely powerful tool.  It can seem like there are just blank screens and bullet points when you’re new to it.  Mastering it can take years (or decades).

Having knowledge of PowerPoint and being able to use it quickly is helpful.  You can quickly make a good PowerPoint presentation by following the tips we share below.

1 – Keep Your Slides Simple for your Audience

When designing your PowerPoint presentation slides, this is one of the most important tips to follow. Keeping slides clutter-free is beneficial. A cluttered slide can be distracting. Audiences become confused: Where am I supposed to focus? Do I need to read the slide or listen to the presenter?  Slides with a simple, visual appeal will engage your audience, keeping them focused on your main points

2 – Use a Consistent Theme like a Designer

As you move from problem to solution, a consistent theme ties all the images and messages together. The built-in themes in PowerPoint or Keynote are good – I don’t use them because I want a simpler, more distinctive look.

When I create a custom theme, I include the Presentation Titles, a Custom Footer, a white background, and the client logo as a starting point.

3 – Use PowerPoint Ideas* and Designer like a Stylist

What’s not to love about PowerPoint Ideas and Designer? The tool is perfect for those who aren’t very graphically inclined and don’t want to spend a lot of time learning visual design principles.  With just a few clicks, fonts, layouts, and images are all automatically sized. A task that used to take hours is now accomplished in minutes and looks polished and professional.

4 – Draw on Your Slides like an Artist

Did you know you can select the digital pen and draw it on your computer screen? PowerPoint will convert your drawing into text and beautiful shapes. Also, as mentioned earlier, the software will suggest design ideas and icons to make your presentation as effective as possible.

5 – Align Everything Like a Pro

For some, this may be common knowledge, but for many, this is not yet known.  Don’t try to manually align your shapes, text boxes, and other stuff on your slide!  Within seconds, you can align them vertically and horizontally!

6 – Use Format Painter Like a Boss

To quickly format multiple pieces of text or graphics using the same formatting, such as color, font size and style, and border style, use the Format Painter on the Home tab. By using the format painter, you can copy all of the formatting from one object and apply it to another – think of it as copying and pasting for formatting.

7 – Copy Formatting with Shortcuts like an Expert

Now that you know that you can use the Format Painter button to copy the look of one object to another. To do this faster, try using shortcuts.

Select the object that’s formatted the way you want it and press Ctrl + Shift + C.

Then select the object you want to paste the formatting to and press Ctrl + Shift + V

8 – Duplicate Objects Instantly like a Magician

When copy/paste just isn’t fast enough…

While holding down the Ctrl key, simply click and drag on the object to instantly duplicate it.

You can also hold Ctrl + Shift to duplicate the object and move it in a straight line.

9 – Reuse existing slides in new presentations like a Director

This is something many people do not realize they need, but it saves a great deal of time. PowerPoint is an excellent tool for repurposing content that is both on your hard drive and created by others. You can show existing PowerPoint files on your computer by clicking Reuse Slides on the Home tab.  Here, you will be able to browse the recommended files that you have access to, view the slides in each presentation, and then incorporate them into your presentation.

Put these tips into practice, and you’ll be amazed at how much faster you’ll be able to create a more professional-looking presentation.