Getting Started with PowerPoint
This assumes you are using MS PowerPoint 2002. Other versions require some sympatico.
Topic
Outline
Information you want to give
Pictures, maps, illustrations – as files ready to insert later
Either click on the desktop icon OR click Start / Programs / Microsoft PowerPoint.
Click the AutoWizard button in the Power Point window, click OK.
Close the Auto Content Wizard or whatever is open within PowerPoint.
Click File / New, then click Presentations.
Double click Generic / Standard).
PowerPoint automatically opens in Slide Edit mode. You can type your points in here onto the slide, but it’s faster in Outline mode.
Go to the small rectangle at the bottom left-hand side of the screen and click the Outline icon, which is second from the left. Other icons will be used later: Normal View, Slide View, Slide Sorter and Slide Show.
When you click Outline mode the cursor will appear in the window.
Also you can now see the complete set of slides – this is the suggested structure for your PowerPoint presentation. You can change this structure later by adding slides or by deleting some of the suggested topics or headings.
First, type the main heading and subtitle.
Next, type in your topics and the main details for each topic, put in your supporting information and examples.
If it's appropriate, give an example of a real life incident, then put in your statement that explains simply how you think or feel about this topic.
Summarise key points you want your audience to remember.
Don’t forget to list any activities for your audience or yourself.
In PowerPoint97, the Tab key changes the style of that line – down through 5 levels. In PowerPoint2000, you can use the Tab key to move from the main topic to its supporting points. Check how it works in your version of Power Point.
Up to five points, bulleted under each topic – NO MORE than 5!
If you have more points, make another slide.
To do this, place your cursor at the point where you wish to insert the slide, go to the Insert menu / New Slide. Choose an auto-layout from the selection that appears. Type your points in, or cut them from one slide and paste them into another
Click the icon for Slide Sorter to see an overview of your slides.
Click the slide you want to work on then click Slide View.
Click the Insert menu / Picture. To import an image from disk select From File. Click the yellow right-angled arrow to find the folder, then scroll through the files. When the picture you want is displayed in the window, click Insert to transfer it to your PowerPoint page.
Click the icon for Slide Sorter and choose the next slide to work on so you can add other pictures and any maps or diagrams.
To import clip art, click Insert / Picture / Clip Art. This opens a window that shows a directory of clip art, sounds and video.
If the clip art you want is not there, and you do not have any on your computer or disk, you could visit the Microsoft Design Gallery at http://office.microsoft.com/en-au/clipart/default.aspx to link to clip art and animations online.
Highlight the text on your screen. Go to the Format menu / Font
Choose the font, font size and colour you prefer
Decide whether you prefer script in regular, bold or italics, or special effects such as underline, shadow or emboss
Recording narration to
accompany each slide.
This option is in the Slide Show
menu. If it's appropriate check whether the projector can handle sound (some
older models cannot).
Adding slide
transitions.
Open Slide Sorter
and select slides one at a time to try different transitions. Alternatively,
select the slides by clicking Edit /
Select All.
On the top toolbar select Slide Show /
Slide Transition.
Choose an option from a pull-down menu that offers effects such as
chequerboard, box in, box out, dissolve, fade through black, and random bars
horizontal. Alternatively, go to Slide
Show / Preset Animation
and select a text presentation such as Fly
from the top, Typewriter
or Reverse
Order.
If you are going to deliver the presentation to a group, it will be easiest to stand in front of your audience and click the mouse to move onto each new slide.
Go to Slide Show / Set Up Show and select 'Advance slides manually'.
If you want to preset times so the presentation runs automatically, go to Slide Show / Rehearse Timings and set the time for each slide. Then go to Slide Show / Set Up Show and select 'Advance using timings when present'.
On the day, go to Slide Show / View Show.
Note: The slides in your PowerPoint presentation are only part of the project. Don’t just read them – there’s nothing more deadly dull!
What makes the presentation lively and interesting for your audience is the way you talk about each slide and the extra information you give as you show the slides.