Change Theme Colors in PowerPoint

6 minutes read

@ tutsplus.com

It’s simple to change theme colors in PowerPoint when you know where to look!

Understanding PowerPoint Theme Colors

PowerPoint theme colors are essentially a color scheme that you can apply to your presentations. Different themes might offer various color options (or variants) to choose from, allowing for a cohesive look across your slides. Moreover, you can reuse this color scheme in other Microsoft applications, like Word and Excel.

The components of PowerPoint theme colors include:

Background Colors: These are the defined background colors for your theme, typically two dark and two light colors.
Accent Colors: Each theme includes six accent colors that can be applied throughout your presentation. Design elements such as charts often use these set colors.
Hyperlink Colors: These colors are designated for hyperlinks, with separate options for active and visited links.

PowerPoint comes equipped with multiple default themes, making it easy to change theme colors without needing any additional downloads. Let’s walk through the process of changing them.

Changing Theme Color in PowerPoint

Ready to learn how to change theme colors in PowerPoint? Follow this step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Start with a Theme

Begin by creating a new PowerPoint presentation. Instead of choosing a blank presentation, select one of PowerPoint’s default themes; for this example, we’ll use the Madison theme. Once selected, click Create to continue.

Step 2: Access the Design Tab

Now that you have your new presentation open, navigate to the Design tab to explore your color options.

Step 3: Select a Color Variant

This theme offers four different color schemes. You can find these variants on the right-hand side. Click on one of the thumbnails to change the colors. For example, you can switch from the green variant to the blue one.

Step 4: Customizing Your Color Scheme

If you want to create a custom color scheme, click on the arrow under the variants. This will present you with three options:

Color: Customize your theme colors.
Fonts: Change the fonts used in your presentation.
Background Style: Adjust the background colors from your theme or access the Format Background panel.

Step 5: Choose Colors

Click on the Colors menu to see a range of preset colors. You can also select from the list if any of these presets appeal to you.

Step 6: Customize Colors

To create a unique color scheme, choose Customize Colors from the list.

Step 7: Adjust Color Components

Here, you can modify the four preset background colors, six accent colors, and the two hyperlink colors. For instance, to change Background Dark 2, click on the colored square to start.

Step 8: Selecting a New Color

PowerPoint will provide a variety of color pickers to choose from:

Color Wheel
Color Sliders
Color Palettes
Image Palettes
Pencils

Experiment with these options to find the color picker that you prefer. In this example, a green color has been selected.

Step 9: Save Your Custom Colors

After making your selections, close the Colors dialog box. Save your customized theme colors by naming them and clicking Save. Notice how the background color changes from dark blue to green with your new custom theme colors applied.

Creating and Using Your Own Custom Theme Colors

Now that you know how to change theme colors, let’s discuss creating your own. The default themes are nice, but sometimes you may want a distinct look for your project.

If you have a PowerPoint template lacking variant color themes, you can customize it. Let’s look at an example with a professional PowerPoint presentation design:

Step 1: Selecting a Template with Variants

This template comes with some variant color schemes pre-installed. As before, go to the Design tab, and you’ll see four color variants available.

Step 2: Customize if Needed

If these colors don’t fit your vision, click the arrow drop-down under the color variants. Then select Colors > Customize Colors.

Step 3: Preview Your Selections

In the Create Theme Colors dialog box, you can refer to the Preview on the right to guide your color choices. Here, you might notice two green colors used for a gradient throughout the theme.

Step 4: Change Specific Colors

Click on the colors listed to customize them. For instance, you could change Accent 1 to pink and Accent 2 to blue. Once satisfied with your selections, name your custom color scheme and click Save.

Step 5: Review Your Custom Theme

Now, your PowerPoint template showcases your custom theme color. You can apply these ideas to suit your presentation needs.

Selecting Effective PPT Theme Colors

With the knowledge of changing theme colors in PowerPoint, it’s essential to choose colors that align with your goals and brand. Here are some considerations:

Existing Branding: If your business has established branding, consider using those colors for consistency. For instance, if your logo is green, use that shade within your presentation.
Visual Communication: Compile a list of keywords that reflect the message you want to communicate. For example, words like “exciting” might call for vibrant colors.

Tips for Choosing Theme Colors

Color Communicates: Reflect on what your color choices convey. For professional settings, opt for colors that evoke trust and stability, while vibrant colors may suit more creative industries.
Create Atmosphere: Ensure that your theme remains consistent across multiple slides to maintain a cohesive atmosphere.
Impact of Contrast: Using varying levels of saturation can change the energy of your presentation. High contrast can be dramatic, while more muted contrasts can create a soothing effect.
Saturation and Energy: Vibrant colors can bring energy to your slides, and using gradients can enhance the modern feel of your presentation.
Hue Matters: The hue of your colors can significantly impact the mood. For example, warmer colors like orange can create a playful atmosphere compared to cooler tones.

Explore More PowerPoint Design Inspiration

For additional design inspiration, consider checking out collections from Envato Tuts+. There are various designs available to help inspire your project, with many options available for download.

Discover Unlimited PowerPoint Templates

If you’re in search of PowerPoint templates, consider Envato Elements. With one low monthly price, you gain access to thousands of PowerPoint templates, all included for one fee.

With unlimited access to thousands of design templates, you can download, use, and customize any theme without restrictions. This also includes a vast library of assets, such as fonts and stock photos.

If you’re looking to expedite your project, checking out Envato Elements could be an excellent resource.

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