Introduction to Microsoft PowerPoint 365 (Self-Guided)

Lesson 1

A First Look at PowerPoint

This lesson introduces you to the PowerPoint environment and lays the foundation for building strong presentation skills. You'll learn what PowerPoint is used for, how different versions compare, and how to navigate the interface confidently. The lesson covers key tools such as the ribbon, Quick Access Toolbar, and keyboard shortcuts for accessing commands. It also shows how to manage presentation files by saving, reopening, and setting properties.

Creating a Presentation

This lesson guides you through the process of starting a new presentation from scratch or with help from templates, outlines, or Copilot. You'll learn how to switch between views, add and remove slides, and change their order. The lesson also explores how to enter content using placeholders and text boxes, how to control bullet levels and AutoFit behavior, and how to work efficiently with different types of slide content.

Working with Layouts, Themes, and Masters

This lesson focuses on presentation design and visual consistency. You'll learn how to apply and change slide layouts, insert slide elements such as footers and dates, and use Designer suggestions. It also covers themes and backgrounds, showing you how to apply, customize, and share themes and create special background effects. You'll finish by working with slide masters to ensure a unified and professional appearance across your slides.

Formatting Text and Text Boxes

This lesson helps you format text to improve clarity and style. You'll learn how to choose and adjust fonts, apply character formatting, and work with color using different color models. Paragraph formatting tools help control alignment, spacing, and bullet styles. Finally, the lesson explores formatting text boxes themselves, including fills, outlines, effects, and text orientation.

Incorporating Pictures

This lesson teaches you how to enhance presentations with pictures and visual content. You'll explore several ways to insert pictures, including from files, online sources, and screenshots. Then, you'll learn to resize, crop, and modify pictures using styles, effects, and background removal tools. The lesson concludes with instructions for building a photo album presentation and customizing its layout.

Drawing and Arranging Lines and Shapes

This lesson shows how to use PowerPoint's drawing tools to add custom visuals. You'll learn to draw and format shapes, add text, and modify their structure. The lesson also covers how to arrange objects using alignment tools, guides, and grouping. You'll finish by using inking tools for annotations and converting hand-drawn elements into shapes or text.

Creating Tables and SmartArt

This lesson focuses on organizing information with tables and SmartArt. You'll learn to create and edit tables, change their structure, format borders and shading, and style text. Then you'll explore SmartArt graphics, which help turn bullet points into visual diagrams. The lesson walks through how to insert, edit, and format SmartArt for maximum clarity and impact.

Creating Charts

This lesson introduces charting tools to help visualize data. You'll create bar, column, and pie charts, identify the parts of a chart, and learn to switch between chart types. The lesson also covers how to customize charts by adjusting axes, elements, and layout. You'll learn to apply chart styles and format individual elements manually to create clean, informative visuals.

Applying Transitions and Animations

This lesson covers the dynamic elements of a presentation. You'll learn how to assign slide transitions and set their options, including rehearsing timings. Then, you'll dive into animation effects for text, charts, and other content. The lesson explores creating animation sequences, adding sounds, designing motion paths, and triggering effects based on user interaction.

Incorporating Audio and Video Content

This lesson explores multimedia tools that enhance your message. You'll learn how to insert audio and video files from various sources, including screen recordings and cameo video. The lesson shows how to record narration and audio clips, attach sounds to objects, and play them across multiple slides. You'll also control playback settings, trim media, and apply formatting to videos.

Delivering a Presentation

This lesson helps you prepare for both live and recorded presentations. You'll learn how to navigate slides during a show using different tools and views, including Presenter View. The lesson explains how to configure custom shows, use pointers and subtitles, and hide slides for backup use. You'll also explore sharing methods, managing comments, and presenting to asynchronous audiences using videos or kiosk mode.

Creating Support Materials

This lesson focuses on printing and presentation effectiveness. You'll learn when and how to create handouts, choose layout options, and export them to Word. The lesson also covers printing speaker notes and outlines and adjusting their layout. It ends with a discussion of presentation best practices, including knowing your audience, choosing the right delivery method, rehearsing effectively, and keeping people engaged throughout.