Tag: powerpoint tutorial

PowerPoint Animation Trick: Photos from Colored to Black & White

PowerPoint animation

powerpoint tutorial

Aug 20, 2014

Animating a transition from colored to black-and-white photos in PowerPoint is a simple yet effective way to add a professional and visually engaging touch to your presentation. This technique can be used to emphasize changes, transitions, or to add dramatic effects to your images. While PowerPoint doesn’t have a built-in feature to directly animate this transition, you can create the effect using a combination of image formatting and animation tools.Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating a colored-to-black-and-white photo transition in PowerPoint.

Step 1: Insert the Colored Photo

  1. Open PowerPoint and navigate to the slide where you want to insert the image.
  2. Go to the “Insert” Tab: Click on “Pictures” and choose either “This Device” or “Online Pictures” depending on where your image is stored.
  3. Select Your Image: Choose the colored photo you want to use and click “Insert” to add it to the slide.

Step 2: Duplicate the Image

To create the transition effect, you need two versions of the same image—one in color and one in black and white.

  1. Select the Image: Click on the inserted photo to select it.
  2. Duplicate the Image: Right-click the image and select “Copy” or press Ctrl + C. Then, right-click again and select “Paste” or press Ctrl + V to duplicate the image. You now have two identical colored photos on your slide.

Step 3: Convert One Image to Black and White

  1. Select the Second Image (the duplicate copy).
  2. Go to the “Format” Tab: Once the image is selected, navigate to the “Picture Format” tab on the ribbon.
  3. Apply a Black-and-White Filter:
    • Click on “Color” in the “Adjust” group.
    • Under the Recolor section, select “Grayscale” or “Black and White 50%” depending on the look you want. This will turn the second image into a black-and-white version.

Step 4: Align the Two Images

  1. Select Both Images: Hold down Shift and click on both the colored and black-and-white images.
  2. Align the Images: Go to the “Format” tab, click on “Align” and choose “Align Center” and “Align Middle” to make sure both images are perfectly aligned on top of each other.

Now that the images are aligned, you’re ready to create the transition.

Step 5: Add Animation for the Transition Effect

  1. Select the Black-and-White Image: Click on the black-and-white version of the image (the top layer).
  2. Go to the “Animations” Tab: In the ribbon, click on “Animations” to open the animation options.
  3. Choose a Disappear Animation:
    • Select the “Disappear” animation from the animation gallery. This will make the black-and-white image disappear during the slideshow, revealing the colored image underneath.
    • If you don’t see the “Disappear” animation, click on “Add Animation” to find it.

Step 6: Adjust Animation Timing

  1. Open the Animation Pane: Go to the “Animations” tab and click on “Animation Pane” to see and control the timing of the animation.
  2. Set the Trigger for the Animation: If you want the transition to happen automatically, set the animation to start “With Previous” or “After Previous” under the “Start” dropdown in the Animation Pane.
    • If you prefer to trigger the transition with a click, select “On Click”.
  3. Set Duration: Adjust the Duration (usually between 0.5 to 1 second) to control the speed of the transition from black-and-white to colored.

Step 7: Preview the Animation

  1. Click “Slide Show” or press F5 to preview the transition.
  2. The black-and-white image will now disappear, revealing the colored version underneath, creating the effect of the image transitioning from grayscale to full color.

Optional: Add Fade or Dissolve Effect

For a smoother and more dramatic transition, you can add a Fade or Dissolve animation instead of just making the black-and-white image disappear abruptly.

  1. Select the Black-and-White Image again.
  2. Apply the “Fade” Animation: Instead of choosing “Disappear,” apply the “Fade” animation for a gradual transition from black-and-white to color.
  3. Set the Duration: Adjust the duration of the fade to 1–2 seconds for a smoother, more elegant transition.

Final Thoughts

Using PowerPoint’s animation tools to transition a photo from colored to black-and-white (or vice versa) adds visual interest to your presentation and can be a great way to emphasize changes or key points. By carefully aligning your images and adjusting animation timing, you can create a seamless and professional effect that enhances the overall impact of your presentation.

How to Make Call to Action Buttons Using PowerPoint

call to action button

CTA button

powerpoint tutorial

Aug 14, 2014

Call-to-action (CTA) buttons are a powerful tool in presentations to guide your audience toward specific actions, whether it’s visiting a website, downloading a resource, or contacting you. Creating effective CTA buttons in PowerPoint is simple and can add a professional, interactive touch to your slides. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to make engaging call-to-action buttons in PowerPoint that are clickable, visually appealing, and effective in driving action.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating CTA Buttons in PowerPoint

Step 1: Open PowerPoint and Create a New Slide

  1. Open PowerPoint and navigate to the slide where you want to add the CTA button. You can also create a new slide if needed.

Step 2: Insert a Shape for the Button

PowerPoint allows you to create buttons using shapes. This gives you flexibility over the size, color, and style of the button.

  1. Go to the “Insert” Tab: At the top of the PowerPoint ribbon, click the “Insert” tab.
  2. Click on “Shapes”: In the Insert menu, click on “Shapes” to see a dropdown list of shape options.
  3. Choose a Shape for the Button: Common CTA shapes include rectangles with rounded corners, ovals, or simple rectangles. Select one that fits your design style.
    • Example: Choose “Rounded Rectangle” to create a soft-edged button.
  4. Draw the Shape: Click and drag on your slide to create the shape that will become your button. You can adjust its size and position later.

Step 3: Customize the Button Design

Now that you have your shape, it’s time to customize it to look like a button. PowerPoint gives you a variety of customization options to make your button visually appealing.

  1. Select the Shape: Click on the shape to select it.
  2. Format the Shape: Go to the “Format” tab under “Drawing Tools” that appears when the shape is selected.
  3. Change the Fill Color: In the Shape Fill dropdown, select a color that aligns with your brand or stands out against the background. CTA buttons are often bright and eye-catching, like blue, green, or orange.
    • Tip: Use gradient fills or subtle shading to give the button a 3D effect.
  4. Add an Outline (Optional): In the Shape Outline dropdown, you can add an outline to the button. For a modern look, consider using a slightly darker or lighter shade of your fill color.
  5. Apply Effects (Optional): If you want your button to pop, go to Shape Effects and apply effects like Shadow or Glow to create depth.

Step 4: Add Text to the Button

Next, add text that clearly communicates the action you want the audience to take, such as “Learn More,” “Download Now,” or “Contact Us.”

  1. Select the Shape: Click on the shape to make sure it’s selected.
  2. Add Text: Right-click the shape and select “Add Text” from the dropdown menu.
  3. Enter Your Call-to-Action Text: Type the action-oriented text that you want to display on the button. Keep it short and to the point.
    • Example: “Get Started” or “Sign Up Now.”
  4. Format the Text: Highlight the text, then use the Home tab to change the font style, size, and color. Use a font that is bold and easy to read. Make sure the text color contrasts well with the button’s background.
    • Tip: Use white or black text depending on your button color for maximum legibility.

Step 5: Create a Hyperlink (Make the Button Clickable)

To make your button functional, you need to add a hyperlink that directs your audience to a website, document, or specific action.

  1. Select the Button: Click on the shape to select the entire button.
  2. Go to the “Insert” Tab: In the ribbon, click on “Insert”, then select “Link” (or use the shortcut Ctrl + K).
  3. Add the URL: In the Insert Hyperlink window, enter the URL or email address where you want to direct the audience. If you’re linking to another slide in the presentation, select “Place in This Document” and choose the appropriate slide.
    • Example: You could link the button to your company’s homepage or a downloadable PDF.
  4. Click OK: This will make the button clickable, turning it into a functional call-to-action element.

Step 6: Adjust Button Position and Size

Now that the button is created, you can fine-tune its placement and size.

  1. Resize the Button: Click and drag the corners of the shape to adjust its size. Make sure the button is large enough to be noticeable but not so large that it overwhelms the slide.
  2. Position the Button: Drag the button to the appropriate spot on the slide. Common placements for CTA buttons include the lower right corner or centered below key content.

Step 7: Test the Button

Before finalizing your presentation, test the button to ensure it functions properly.

  1. Enter Slide Show Mode: Press F5 or click on “Slide Show” → “From Beginning” to start the presentation.
  2. Click the Button: Navigate to the slide with your button and click on it to ensure it redirects to the correct website or slide.

Step 8: Add Animation (Optional)

To draw more attention to the CTA button, you can add a subtle animation.

  1. Select the Button: Click on the button shape.
  2. Go to the “Animations” Tab: Click on Animations in the ribbon to choose an animation effect.
  3. Select a Simple Animation: Choose an animation like Fade In, Zoom, or Pulse to make the button stand out as it appears. Avoid overly complicated animations that may distract from your message.
  4. Adjust Timing: In the Timing section, adjust the speed or delay of the animation to ensure the button appears at the right moment in your presentation.

Final Thoughts

Creating effective call-to-action buttons in PowerPoint is an easy yet impactful way to encourage audience interaction and engagement during your presentation. By following these steps, you can design a CTA button that looks professional, aligns with your brand, and motivates your audience to take action.Whether you’re using it to direct your audience to a website, sign up for a newsletter, or download a resource, a well-designed CTA button can help drive engagement and enhance the effectiveness of your presentation.

PowerPoint Tutorial: Adding Music to Your Slides

powerpoint tools

powerpoint tutorial

Aug 06, 2014

Music can set the tone for your presentation, evoke emotions, or simply fill gaps in audio during transitions. PowerPoint makes it easy to embed music files into your slides, allowing you to play music automatically, on a loop, or in response to specific actions.Here’s how to add music to your PowerPoint slides:

Step 1: Choose Your Music File

First, choose the music file you want to use. PowerPoint supports common audio formats like MP3, WAV, and WMA.How to Do It:

  • Ensure that your music file is saved on your computer and is ready for use.

Step 2: Insert the Music File into Your Slide

To add music, use PowerPoint’s audio insert feature.How to Do It:

  • Go to the slide where you want the music to start playing.
  • Click on the Insert tab in the ribbon.
  • Select Audio, then click on Audio on My PC.
  • Find the music file you want to use and click Insert.

Step 3: Adjust the Music Playback Options

You can customize how the music plays during your presentation by adjusting the playback settings.How to Do It:

  • Click on the audio icon that appears on your slide.
  • Go to the Playback tab in the Audio Tools section.
  • Choose from the following playback options:
    • Automatically: The music will start playing as soon as you reach the slide.
    • On Click: The music will play when you click on the audio icon.
    • Play Across Slides: The music will continue playing even as you move to the next slide.
    • Loop Until Stopped: The music will loop continuously until you stop it.

Step 4: Hide the Music Icon

If you don’t want the music icon to be visible during your presentation, you can hide it.How to Do It:

  • Select the audio icon.
  • In the Playback tab, check the box next to Hide During Show.

Step 5: Preview Your Slide

Once your music is embedded and customized, test it to make sure it works properly.How to Do It:

  • Click on the Play button in the Playback tab to preview how the music will sound during your presentation.

Final Thoughts

Adding music to your PowerPoint slides can make your presentation more engaging and help set the desired tone. Be sure to choose music that complements your message and test the playback before presenting to avoid any technical issues.

Illustrate Your Ideas with PowerPoint SmartArt

powerpoint tool

powerpoint tutorial

smartart graphics

Jul 24, 2014

SmartArt is a PowerPoint feature that allows you to transform your bullet points and text into visually engaging diagrams. Whether you’re illustrating processes, hierarchies, or relationships, SmartArt can help you visually communicate complex ideas in a clear and organized way.Here’s how to use PowerPoint SmartArt to illustrate your ideas effectively:

1. Choose the Right SmartArt Graphic

SmartArt offers a variety of graphics designed for different purposes, such as lists, processes, cycles, hierarchies, and more. Choosing the right graphic is key to effectively illustrating your idea.Why It’s Important:

  • Communicates Structure: SmartArt helps you convey the relationships between different elements in a visually appealing way.
  • Simplifies Complex Concepts: Instead of listing text or bullet points, SmartArt presents information in a more organized, digestible format.

How to Do It:

  • Go to the Insert tab, then click SmartArt.
  • Browse the categories (e.g., Process, Hierarchy, Cycle) and choose the graphic that best represents your content.

Example: Use a Cycle SmartArt graphic to represent a recurring process, like the product development cycle.

2. Add and Customize Text

Once you’ve chosen your SmartArt graphic, you can add and customize the text to match your content.Why It’s Important:

  • Aligns Visuals with Content: Customizing the text ensures that your SmartArt accurately reflects your message.
  • Increases Clarity: Clear and concise text helps viewers quickly understand the relationships or processes being illustrated.

How to Do It:

  • Click on each SmartArt shape and type your content directly into the text boxes.
  • If needed, use the Text Pane (available under the SmartArt Tools tab) to add or remove elements.

Example: In a Hierarchy SmartArt graphic, you could label each box with the name of a department or team member to illustrate an organizational structure.

3. Customize the Design

PowerPoint allows you to customize the appearance of SmartArt graphics to match your presentation’s style and color scheme.Why It’s Important:

  • Enhances Visual Appeal: Customizing the design ensures that your SmartArt fits seamlessly with the overall look of your presentation.
  • Improves Readability: Adjusting colors, shapes, and fonts can make your graphic more readable and visually appealing.

How to Do It:

  • Use the SmartArt Tools tab to change the colors, styles, and layouts of your graphic.
  • Choose from built-in color themes or manually adjust the colors to match your branding or presentation theme.

Example: Use a simple, monochromatic color scheme for a professional look, or choose vibrant colors to make key elements stand out.

4. Add Animations to SmartArt

To make your presentation more dynamic, you can add animations to your SmartArt graphic. Animations can help you control the flow of information and emphasize key points.Why It’s Important:

  • Increases Engagement: Animations capture your audience’s attention and help guide them through the content step by step.
  • Emphasizes Key Points: Animating individual elements allows you to focus on specific parts of the graphic as you explain them.

How to Do It:

  • Select your SmartArt graphic, then go to the Animations tab.
  • Choose an animation, such as Fade, Fly In, or Wipe, and apply it to the entire graphic or specific elements.
  • Use the Effect Options to adjust how and when each part of the SmartArt appears.

Example: In a Process SmartArt, you can animate each step to appear sequentially, helping your audience follow along as you explain the process.

5. Resize and Reposition

Once your SmartArt graphic is complete, you may need to resize or reposition it on your slide to ensure it fits well with other content.Why It’s Important:

  • Ensures Visual Balance: Properly resizing and positioning SmartArt helps maintain visual balance on your slide.
  • Improves Layout: Repositioning SmartArt allows you to integrate it with other elements, such as text or images.

How to Do It:

  • Click on the SmartArt graphic to select it, then drag the corners to resize it proportionally.
  • Click and drag the graphic to move it around the slide, ensuring it’s centered or positioned appropriately.

Example: If you’re using SmartArt on a slide with text, position the graphic on one side of the slide and the text on the other for a balanced layout.

Final Thoughts

SmartArt is a powerful tool that allows you to visually communicate information in a clear and organized way. By choosing the right graphic, customizing the design, adding animations, and ensuring proper placement, you can elevate the visual appeal of your PowerPoint presentations and make complex ideas easier to understand.

PowerPoint Tutorial: Adding YouTube Videos to Slides

powerpoint tutorial

videos

Youtube

Jul 18, 2014

Incorporating videos into your PowerPoint presentation can make it more engaging and dynamic. One way to do this is by embedding YouTube videos directly into your slides. This can help demonstrate a point, provide visual context, or simply break up the flow of a text-heavy presentation.Here’s a step-by-step tutorial on how to add YouTube videos to your PowerPoint slides:

Step 1: Copy the YouTube Video Link

Before you can embed a YouTube video, you’ll need the URL of the video you want to include.How to Do It:

  • Open your web browser and navigate to YouTube.
  • Find the video you want to use, then copy its URL from the address bar.

Step 2: Open PowerPoint

Next, open PowerPoint and go to the slide where you want to embed the video.How to Do It:

  • Open PowerPoint and navigate to the slide where you want the video to appear.
  • Select the slide and ensure there’s enough space for the video.

Step 3: Insert the YouTube Video

Now, you can embed the YouTube video using PowerPoint’s built-in video feature.How to Do It:

  • Go to the Insert tab in the PowerPoint ribbon.
  • Click on Video, then select Online Video from the dropdown menu.
  • Paste the URL of the YouTube video into the text box and click Insert.

Step 4: Resize and Position the Video

Once the video is embedded, you can adjust its size and position on the slide to fit your presentation layout.How to Do It:

  • Click on the video to select it.
  • Drag the corners of the video to resize it, or click and drag to reposition it on the slide.

Step 5: Preview the Video

Before presenting, you should always test the video to make sure it works properly.How to Do It:

  • Click on the Play button in PowerPoint to preview the video and ensure that it loads correctly.

Final Thoughts

Adding YouTube videos to PowerPoint is a great way to enhance your presentation by providing visual content that supports your key points. Make sure to test the video beforehand to ensure smooth playback during your presentation, especially if you’re presenting in a location with limited internet access.

Empowering Collaboration: Unleashing the Potential of Comments with PowerPoint

powerpoint tools

powerpoint tutorial

Jun 26, 2014

In today’s fast-paced, interconnected world, effective collaboration is more crucial than ever. Whether you’re working on a team project, preparing a business presentation, or developing educational content, the ability to seamlessly share ideas and provide feedback can make all the difference. Microsoft PowerPoint, a staple in the realm of presentations, has evolved to meet these collaborative needs with a powerful yet often underutilized feature: comments.Comments in PowerPoint are more than just notes in the margins; they are a dynamic tool that can transform the way teams work together. By leveraging comments, you can enhance communication, streamline the review process, and ultimately create more polished and impactful presentations. Here’s how you can unleash the potential of comments in PowerPoint to empower collaboration.### Enhancing CommunicationOne of the primary benefits of using comments in PowerPoint is the ability to facilitate clear and concise communication among team members. Instead of sending multiple emails or holding lengthy meetings to discuss changes, team members can leave comments directly on the slides. This ensures that feedback is contextual and specific, reducing the likelihood of misunderstandings.For instance, if a colleague suggests altering a chart, they can leave a comment right next to the chart with detailed instructions. This not only saves time but also ensures that the feedback is easily accessible and actionable.### Streamlining the Review ProcessThe review process can often be a bottleneck in project timelines. With PowerPoint comments, you can streamline this process significantly. Reviewers can leave their feedback directly on the slides, and presenters can address these comments in real-time. This iterative process allows for quick revisions and ensures that all team members are on the same page.Moreover, PowerPoint’s comment feature supports threaded discussions. This means that team members can reply to comments, ask for clarifications, and engage in a dialogue without leaving the presentation. This level of interaction fosters a collaborative environment where ideas can be refined and improved collectively.### Tracking Changes and AccountabilityAnother advantage of using comments in PowerPoint is the ability to track changes and maintain accountability. Each comment is tagged with the author’s name and a timestamp, making it easy to see who provided which feedback and when. This transparency is particularly useful in larger teams where multiple people may be working on the same presentation.Additionally, the ability to mark comments as resolved helps keep the review process organized. Once a comment has been addressed, it can be marked as resolved, allowing team members to focus on outstanding issues. This feature ensures that no feedback is overlooked and that the presentation continues to improve with each iteration.### Encouraging Constructive FeedbackConstructive feedback is essential for growth and improvement. PowerPoint comments provide a structured way to offer and receive feedback. By using comments, team members can provide specific, actionable suggestions rather than vague criticisms. This encourages a culture of constructive feedback where everyone is focused on enhancing the quality of the presentation.Furthermore, the ability to leave comments anonymously can be particularly beneficial in situations where team members may feel hesitant to provide candid feedback. Anonymity can encourage more honest and open communication, leading to more meaningful improvements.### Facilitating Remote CollaborationIn an era where remote work is becoming increasingly common, the ability to collaborate effectively from different locations is paramount. PowerPoint comments are a valuable tool for remote teams, allowing members to work together seamlessly regardless of their physical location. By using comments, remote team members can participate in the review process, share their insights, and contribute to the presentation’s development just as effectively as if they were in the same room.### ConclusionEmpowering collaboration through the use of comments in PowerPoint is a game-changer for teams striving to create impactful presentations. By enhancing communication, streamlining the review process, tracking changes, encouraging constructive feedback, and facilitating remote collaboration, comments can unlock the full potential of your team’s collective creativity and expertise. So, the next time you’re working on a PowerPoint presentation, don’t overlook the power of comments. Embrace this feature and watch as your team’s collaboration reaches new heights.”

Power Up Your PowerPoint: Elevate Your Presentations with Video Clips

embed video in PowerPoint

multimedia slide

powerpoint tutorial

ppt tips

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

Jun 18, 2014

We’ve discussed playing your slides on loop, but here’s another PowerPoint tutorial for you. Did you know that you can easily embed videos to your slide deck? Consider adding a short clip to your slides.It’s an effective way to engage your audience, especially if you’re working with a younger crowd. Although the majority of the population leaning towards visual learning would be engaged enough with images, videos make your slides even more visual, adding another dimension to the usual presentation design.Compared to an image – like a picture or a diagram – a video clip is a culmination of sensory engagement on a slide. As long as your video of choice is relevant to your pitch, then it may definitely help leverage your points.Here’s a quick rundown of how you can add motion to your deck, and what you need to take note of as you embed this media file on your slides:

Consider video formats

There are several video formats, and it’s important you consider which one can work best for your PowerPoint presentation design. Some formats allow for larger, higher quality videos. Other formats compress videos into a smaller size. A smaller file size means that they’re easier to share.These are the video file formats that PowerPoint supports:

  • Windows Media Video File (.wmv)
  • Windows Media File (.asf)
  • Audio Video Interleave (.avi)
  • Movie File (.mpg)
  • MP4 Video File (.mp4, .m4v, .mov)
  • Adobe Flash Media (.swf)

You can read more about the specifics of each of these file types here. Knowing what clip type would work best on the slide will save you the trouble of clips that can’t be embedded, or worse, won’t load once you start your slide show.

How to add videos to your slides

The newer versions of Microsoft PowerPoint (2010 onwards) allow you to add videos in just a few steps. In this tutorial, we’ll be using PowerPoint 2010.You have two options.Option 1: You can go to the Insert tab and choose the Video icon in the Media group.Option 2: From the Placeholder in your slide, click on the Video icon that says ‘Insert Media Clip‘.Both options will prompt a dialogue box allowing you to choose video files from your computer.You can add videos you’ve made yourself, or clips you’ve downloaded online. If there are videos from YouTube or other video streaming sites that you’d like to use, you can download them using free tools available online like ClipConverter and KeepVid. A quick Google search will help you find one that works best for you.

Conclusion

Videos can definitely add a unique life to your slide. While images may engage the viewers’ gaze, the unique function of a multimedia slide can help pique their interests further.Try out this new feature of PowerPoint to gain positive attraction. If you’re unsure of how to incorporate videos into an appropriately interesting deck, set up a consultation with a presentation guru today! All it takes is 15 minutes.

Reference

Gordon, Whitson. “What’s the Difference Between All These Video Formats, and Which One Should I Use?” Lifehacker. Accessed June 19, 2014.Featured Image: Daniel STL via flickr.com