How to adapt a set of powerpoint slides?
June 1, 2006 6:53 AM Subscribe
How can I convert an existing set of powerpoint slides into something better-looking?
I have a couple of sets of powerpoint slides that I need to quickly adapt for my own presentations. The information on them is useful, but the colour scheme in particular is pretty bad. Is there some way I can specify my own colours (and background, font, font size etc if possible) but keep the information?
I have a couple of sets of powerpoint slides that I need to quickly adapt for my own presentations. The information on them is useful, but the colour scheme in particular is pretty bad. Is there some way I can specify my own colours (and background, font, font size etc if possible) but keep the information?
Change the template, but, to really stand out, don't use one of the standard ones. office.microsoft.com has tons of great templates. Your presentation will stand out without a lot of work.
posted by fogster at 7:14 AM on June 1, 2006
posted by fogster at 7:14 AM on June 1, 2006
The advice above about changing the slide master is good, but I would HIGHLY recommend something like black text/etc. on a plain white background, though a logo or two in the corners is acceptable.
There are frequent debates (on AskMeFi and elsewhere) on what makes a good presentation, and I am firmly in the camp that substance over style is crucial if you actually want to get a point across. This has been my experience in giving dozens and dozens of powerpoint talks and having seen many hundreds or possibly even thousands.
posted by JMOZ at 8:06 AM on June 1, 2006
There are frequent debates (on AskMeFi and elsewhere) on what makes a good presentation, and I am firmly in the camp that substance over style is crucial if you actually want to get a point across. This has been my experience in giving dozens and dozens of powerpoint talks and having seen many hundreds or possibly even thousands.
posted by JMOZ at 8:06 AM on June 1, 2006
Substance is more important, but I had a professor that gave a few PowerPoints in Times New Roman, black-on-white. Like he started PowerPoint and typed, without selecting any template. We were too distracted (by quietly speculating if he just didn't you know you could change it) to really pay attention. Of course, the fact that it was in all caps didn't really help...
Absolutely concentrate on substance, but don't bore your viewers to death. A little (non-distracting! no sound effects!) style can only help.
posted by fogster at 8:36 AM on June 1, 2006
Absolutely concentrate on substance, but don't bore your viewers to death. A little (non-distracting! no sound effects!) style can only help.
posted by fogster at 8:36 AM on June 1, 2006
PowerPoint templates suck balls, really suck balls. Black text on white background is always better than any crappy templates. Use Verdana for good readability.
posted by signal at 9:01 AM on June 1, 2006
posted by signal at 9:01 AM on June 1, 2006
You can alter the color scheme. In Office 2003, it's Format > Slide Design and in the Task Pane, click on Color Schemes. You can pick a new color scheme, alter an existing one, or make a brand new one.
As for the general layout/appearance, you want to modify the Slide Master using the instructions GuyZero gave.
posted by junesix at 9:13 AM on June 1, 2006
As for the general layout/appearance, you want to modify the Slide Master using the instructions GuyZero gave.
posted by junesix at 9:13 AM on June 1, 2006
Response by poster: ok, you might want to shoot me down for this but I'm using a background - nothing distracting, just associates the presentation with my organisation. Any way of changing the colours on the background but keeping its design?
posted by spiff101 at 9:18 AM on June 1, 2006
posted by spiff101 at 9:18 AM on June 1, 2006
You could do a screen grab of the background then pull it into an image editor like Photoshop. Seems like overkill though. Maybe you can contact the person in your organization who actually made the background, and ask for the original file?
Just a note: You should remember that you should be the focus of your presentations, not your slides. Make sure you polish your speech before your slides. I find that it's really effective to turn off the slides (by pressing 'b' on the keyboard) and just talk. People really tend to take notice and pay attention when you do this. /soapbox
posted by josh.ev9 at 9:46 AM on June 1, 2006
Just a note: You should remember that you should be the focus of your presentations, not your slides. Make sure you polish your speech before your slides. I find that it's really effective to turn off the slides (by pressing 'b' on the keyboard) and just talk. People really tend to take notice and pay attention when you do this. /soapbox
posted by josh.ev9 at 9:46 AM on June 1, 2006
You should remember that you should be the focus of your presentations, not your slides.
Let me second that.
In fact, let that become a pre-presentation mantra.
"I am the presentation, not the slides."
posted by grabbingsand at 10:05 AM on June 1, 2006
Let me second that.
In fact, let that become a pre-presentation mantra.
"I am the presentation, not the slides."
posted by grabbingsand at 10:05 AM on June 1, 2006
Plain is better, but I find (and polling my students, they agree) that something like a neutral yellow or goldish text on a dark blue background is far easier on the eyes than black on white. Sans serif font like verdana is ideal. Never use anything smaller than 20 point.
posted by Rumple at 11:22 AM on June 1, 2006
posted by Rumple at 11:22 AM on June 1, 2006
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Go to View | Master | Slide Master and then edit the settings on the master elements. Those changes should be propagated to every slide.
They might not be though - if the original author changed all the fonts manually you may have to go edit each slide.
posted by GuyZero at 7:02 AM on June 1, 2006