Create a PowerPoint Template

To create a PowerPoint template, start by designing your presentation however you wish.

In the Slide Master tab, you can use the Insert Placeholder button to add a placeholder for items that will be edited later, like images or text. Then, save your presentation as a standard PowerPoint file.

Quick Steps to Creating a PowerPoint Template

1. Open PowerPoint.
   Double-click the PowerPoint app icon, which resembles a white “P” on an orange background. This will open the PowerPoint home page.
   

2. Click Blank Presentation.
   You can either select here or go to File > New > Blank Presentation.

   • On Mac, simply opening PowerPoint might open a new presentation depending on your settings. If it does, skip this step.
     

3. Click the Design tab.
   It’s in the editing ribbon above your PowerPoint with File and Home.
   

4. Set the Slide Size.
   Click Slide Size, then select Custom Slide Size to choose the page orientation and dimensions. This will set the overall look of the PowerPoint.
   

5. Access Slide Master.
   Click the View tab in the editing ribbon at the top of the PowerPoint window. Then select Slide Master. This opens the Slide Master tab on the left side of the PowerPoint window.
   

6. Select a Slide Format to Edit.
   Click one of the slide templates in the left-hand column of options. There will be one slide for each type of slide that you can use (e.g., a title slide, a basic content slide, etc.). You can choose a theme from the “Themes” drop-down and apply backgrounds by clicking Background styles.
   

7. Insert Placeholders.
   Click Insert Placeholder on the left side of the Slide Master tab. A drop-down menu will appear with options like Content, Text, Picture, Chart, Table, Smart Art, Media, and Online Image.
   

8. Drag and Drop a Placeholder.
   Once you’ve decided which placeholder you want, drag it from the drop-down to a slide. Adjust its position as needed and resize it by dragging the corners.
   

9. Select a Template Font.
   Click Fonts in the “Background” section, then choose a font from the drop-down menu.
   

10. Save Your Template.
    If you have an existing PowerPoint that you want to save as a template, follow these steps:

• Windows: Click File > Save As, select a location, enter a name for your template, then select PowerPoint Template from the Save as type dropdown and click Save.
• Mac: Click File > Save as Template, enter a file name, and click Save.
  

Tips

• You can upload your templates to Microsoft OneDrive if you want to store them in the cloud. You should be able to access them from the PowerPoint template menu.