PowerPoint Tutorials

This software allows you to design presentations by combining text, images, graphics, video,
and animation on slides in a simple and intuitive way.
PowerPoint 101: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners
This software allows you to design presentations by combining text, images, graphics, video,
and animation on slides in a simple and intuitive way.
What are the best uses of PowerPoint?
PowerPoint has a versatile range of uses. Here's a list of the different tasks you can complete
with this presentation design software:
 Business presentations or Pitch decks.
 Marketing, Sales and HR plans.
 Project briefs and timelines.
 Inductions to new employees.
 Seminars and educational classes.
 Professional portfolio of photos or designs.
 Presentations of a research summary.
 Presentations for special occasions.

 Based on that, the main components of PowerPoint window are the following:
 1. Quick Access Toolbar: allows you to customize commands to have them at hand.
You only have to select it and go to "More commands."
 2. Title Bar: shows you the name of your file and other "Suggested options"
like Slide Master View. These options will vary depending on the use you give to the
commands.
 3. File Tab: you will see the Home Menu (PowerPoint backstage) by selecting it.
There, you can create a new presentation, save it, print it, export it, and many other
options.
 4. The Ribbon: it's where PowerPoint tabs and tools are. These tools can also be
called "commands" or “features.”
 5. More Button or Down Arrow: these arrows allow you to view more tools or
layout options in PowerPoint.
  6. Slides Pane: shows your slides in thumbnail size. By right-clicking, you can access
additional options for customizing each slide. Perfect for PowerPoint beginners!
 7. Slide: PowerPoint's blank canvas and the frame to be seen when presenting the file.
 8. Placeholders: they are dotted boxes that will store your content.
 9. Status Bar: allows you to view the slide number, grammatical errors, speaker
notes, and the comments on your file.
 10. Zoom: allows you to enlarge or minimize your PowerPoint workspace. The range
goes from 10 to 400%.

overview of all PowerPoint tabs. Pay attention to the following list:

 Home Tab
 Insert Tab
 Design Tab
 Transitions Tab
 Animations Tab
 Slide Show Tab
 Review Tab
 View Tab
 Recording Tab
 Help Tab

 1. Home Tab
 The Home tab is the most common tab of PowerPoint. This is the tab you'll probably
use the most if you're designing a presentation deck from scratch.


 It allows you to add new slides and change the text characteristics: font, size,
boldness, underlining, alignment, etc. If you've ever used Microsoft Word, these
features will be familiar to you.
2. Insert Tab
The Insert tab is exactly what its name says it is. In this ribbon, you'll find all the options
concerning adding a new element to your PowerPoint presentation.

You can insert a picture, some geometric shapes, icons, WordArt graphics, among others. We
can tell you that this tab is really helpful for PowerPoint beginners!
For example, if you have a lot of data in PowerPoint, you could add a chart or diagram to
show your information in a more visual way. Also, you can embed videos or music into
PowerPoint really easily.

3. Design Tab
If you are one of those people who enjoy choosing the design of a PowerPoint presentation,
this tab will be your favorite.

The Design tab offers a wide range of premade designs, allowing you to get more polished
slides. Even better, if you explore its ribbon, you can adjust the color palette and change
the overall style of your PowerPoint deck.

4. Transitions Tab
Using transitions in PowerPoint is a dynamic way to move from one slide to the next during a
presentation. This feature is PowerPoint's stamp, so don't miss it!

Some PowerPoint transitions are really classic, like wiping the old slide to present the new
one. Others are somewhat over the top, like the “Vortex” or the “Airplane” effect.

5. Animations Tab
In case you want to add special effects for certain elements in your slides, the Animations
tab in PowerPoint will interest you.
Like the Transitions tab, you will find various animation effects in this ribbon. It's a matter of
trying and choosing the best one according to your needs!

6. Slide Show Tab

As its name says, the Slide Show tab is about presenting your slides. We really like that it
gives you several options to show up your presentation!

Considering that you're a PowerPoint beginner, you're not likely to use the Slide Show tab
very much.

7. Review Tab
The Review tab is not often used by PowerPoint beginners either.
However, if your job is related to writing or if you work at an international company, this tool
can be extremely useful!

With this tab, you can check the slide's spelling, translate the text in real-time, and add
comments to your slides. This last function can be helpful to give feedback to a colleague.
8. View Tab
This View tab allows you to change the view of your PowerPoint slides and make handouts
from them, among other things.

As you can see, the majority of its commands are really specific. So you won't have any
issues while designing, test and see!
In this section, our favorite command for PowerPoint beginners is Slide Master. Explore
more about this tool in our guide!
9. Recording Tab
In the last versions of this design presentation software, PowerPoint added the Recording tab.
As its name says, it allows you to record all your presentation slides.
This ribbon has advanced commands, so the most common action for a PowerPoint beginner
is to take a screenshot or record the screen sequentially.
10. Help Tab
Finally, there is the Help tab. If you have any problem or question concerning how to use
PowerPoint, you may go here to look for a solution.
In the latest versions, Windows has added a “Show Training” option. You can click this
command to practice the PowerPoint basics since it will download training templates.

As a beginner in PowerPoint, you must recognize the objective of each PowerPoint tab to
be able to master the software.

PowerPoint Feature #1: Crop to Shape

This first PowerPoint feature is simple but effective!
Let's see how to use it:
 First, choose an image you want to cut and insert it into your workspace.
 Once inserted, select it with the mouse.
 Go to the "Picture Format" tab.
 Press the arrow of the "Crop" button (right side of the screen).
 Select "Crop to Shape."
 Choose your favorite shape and customize your PowerPoint presentation!
PowerPoint Feature #2: Merge Shapes
If you don't like any figure enough, you can create one from scratch!
This is possible thanks to the "Merge Shapes" option. Follow these steps to unleash your
creativity:
 First choose an image you want to cut.
 Check the list of PowerPoint shapes (Insert tab > Shapes).
 Choose two or three figures you want to merge (they can be the same figure).
 Select the figures you are going to merge (see the image).
 Once selected, go to the "Shape Format" tab.
 Press the "Merge Shapes" option and the type of merge you want (test and choose!).
 A new figure will appear, and you must fill it with the image from the first step.
 Stay on the Shape Format tab and go to "Shape Fill" (button in the middle of the
ribbon).
 Select "Picture Fill" and browse for your image.
 Select the image to fill your new figure, and that's it!

 PowerPoint tip for beginners: When your merged figure is ready, paste the image to
the background of your slide to achieve a better result. This way, you can use your
image as a canvas and see if both elements fit well.
PowerPoint Feature #3: Insert Icons
This PowerPoint feature is quite easy to follow for PowerPoint beginners!
Just follow these steps:
 Go to the Insert tab.
 Select the "Icons" option.
 A Microsoft 365 library will open, where you can search for the required icon.
 Now, you must insert it into your presentation and adapt it to your design.
 If you have an active Microsoft 365 subscription, you'll have access to a larger
number of icons in PowerPoint.

 PowerPoint tip for beginners: If you want to learn more about icons in PowerPoint,
read our article on How to Use Icons to Make Amazing PowerPoint Presentations.
PowerPoint Feature #4: Insert SmartArt
PowerPoint's SmartArt is one of the most popular and accessible tools to dominate while
learning about PowerPoint basics.
To use it in your slide deck, you must:
 Go to the Insert tab.
 Select SmartArt.
 See all SmartArt categories and choose your favorite based on your needs.
 Add the text you have prepared and adapt it to your presentation.
We want to give you some ideas to master this SmartArt tool in PowerPoint: you can make
timelines, flowcharts, and even a Venn diagram in just a few seconds. Try and see!
PowerPoint Feature #5: Remove Background
If you don't know how to use Photoshop and want to remove the background from an image,
in this PowerPoint 101 Guide, we show you how:
 First choose the image you want to remove the background from.
 Insert the image in the PowerPoint workspace.
 Select the image and go to the "Picture Format" tab.
 Select "Remove Background" (first option on the left).
 You can keep and remove parts of the image with the first two tools of the ribbon (see
image).
 Keep in mind that all the sections highlighted in purple will be deleted.
  We recommend zooming in to keep or remove parts of the image with more detail.
 Once you're done, press the "Keep Changes" button.
 Finally, adapt the new image to your PowerPoint presentation.

 PowerPoint tip for beginners: Choose a high-contrast photo or image for best
results. In other words, the outline of the person or object you want to cut out must
have clear edges and cannot blend with the image's background color.
PowerPoint Feature #6: Add Speaker Notes
The latest PowerPoint feature is a command you can use to prepare your speech before
presenting to an audience.
Learning how to add speaker notes in PowerPoint is simple:
 Select the slide that needs some notes.
 Usually, there is a footer below the slide, but if not, you will have to activate it.
 Go to the View tab and select "Notes."
 The Speaker Notes section will appear, and you can add whatever you want!

 PowerPoint tip for beginners: In case you want to practice your entire presentation
and have a lot of notes, go to the View tab and select "Notes Page" (fourth command).
You'll be able to see all your Speaker Notes faster!
PowerPoint Feature #7: PowerPoint Translator
If you've ever wondered how to translate your PowerPoint Slides, we'll explain the step by
step here:
 Go to the Review tab.
 Select the text you want to translate.
 Press the “Translate” button.
 A panel will open on the right side of the screen.
 Choose the language you need and you'll see the translation in real-time.
 If you press Insert, the text will change to the new translation!
PowerPoint Feature #8: Screen Recording
The process of recording your screen in PowerPoint is straightforward and intuitive. Let's
see:
 Go to the “Record” or “Recording” tab.
 Press the "Record Slide Show" button or the “From Beginning” button (depending on
your PPT version).
 A new window will open.
 Select the red record button and start recording!
 When you're done, select “Export.”
 By default, the video will be 1080p. If you want to lower the video quality, go to
"Customize export."
 Name the video, save it to a folder and that's it!
As you may have noticed, this software has endless PowerPoint design options for
beginners. We encourage you to try and test each functionality!