Change PowerPoint Templates Quickly
8 minutes read
Discover where to find the best PowerPoint themes to improve your presentation design. Learn how to import and change PowerPoint template designs quickly.
Use your theme to engage with your audience. Discover how to change a PowerPoint template for an existing presentation as well as how to import a PowerPoint template.
Changing your PowerPoint theme (template) can help you set your presentation apart.
A PowerPoint theme is a set of backgrounds, font pairings, color schemes, and slide designs. It is also referred to as a PowerPoint template.
We will use these terms interchangeably in this article.
Best of all, there are plenty of custom PowerPoint themes available for download to enhance your presentations.
In this tutorial, I’ll teach you three key skills for working with PowerPoint templates:
- How and where to find custom PowerPoint themes
- How to install custom PowerPoint themes
- How to change PowerPoint templates
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We also have the perfect complement to use alongside a professional PowerPoint template. Download our Free eBook: The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations. It will help you write, design, and deliver the perfect presentation.
How to Change PowerPoint Templates Quickly (Watch & Learn)
In the screencast below, I’ll give you a brief overview of applying a PowerPoint template to an existing presentation. The screencast will help you transform a drab presentation into a stylish one.
In the rest of this tutorial, I’ll teach you how to download, install, and change custom PowerPoint templates.
How to Import Custom PowerPoint (PPT) Templates
After you download a custom PPT template, you’ll need to install it for use in your own PowerPoint presentations.
This section was written using macOS and PowerPoint version 16.73. If you have a different operating system or version of PowerPoint, steps may vary slightly.
Here’s how to import PowerPoint templates and install new PowerPoint themes:
1. Check the Available Files
The first step in applying a PPT template to an existing presentation is to choose a PowerPoint template. Every custom PowerPoint theme is packaged differently, so the installation may vary.
For example, the Lotus Business PowerPoint template available via Envato Elements includes several .PPTX formats in different colors and sizes.
Open the PPTX file and add your own content to build your presentation quickly.
Premium themes from Envato Elements typically include several file sizes and color variations. Before customizing the template, check your theme’s folder to see what’s available.
Custom PowerPoint themes usually come in two types of formats:
- PowerPoint files (PPTX files)
- .THMX / .POTX theme templates.
2. Work With PPTX Template Files
Many theme creators package custom PowerPoint themes as simple PPTX files, which are standard PowerPoint presentation files. Add these to PowerPoint by double-clicking them or choosing File > Open within PowerPoint.
The advantage of this approach is that the theme author can package many layout ideas inside the file, allowing you to pick and choose slides and add your content.
However, the disadvantage of this type of theme is that it doesn’t feel as reusable. Each time you work with the custom PowerPoint theme, you’ll need to open the original file, select the slides to use, and add your content.
3. Use .THMX and .POTX Theme Files
The alternatives to pre-built PPTX files are .THMX or .POTX files. These are reusable themes that you can add to PowerPoint and apply to your current presentation with just a few clicks.
The Arcama PowerPoint theme is a great example of this. It includes .THMX files that you can add to PowerPoint for reuse.
When you have .THMX files (or .POTX in earlier PowerPoint versions), create a folder to store these files. Move the .THMX files to that folder.
Next, find the folder path where your themes are stored, such as /Users/username/Themes. Right-click the folder and click on Get Info to grab this path if needed.
Now, return to PowerPoint and go to the File > Save as template menu. From there, choose the folder you’ve created to store your THMX files.
Your custom themes are now available in PowerPoint. Let’s learn how to use them.
How to Change a Design Template in PowerPoint - Quickly
Now that you’ve installed your PowerPoint themes, you’re ready to begin using them. Let’s look at how to apply a template to an existing PowerPoint presentation.
If your PowerPoint themes were PPTX files, you can start using them as soon as you open the file. Simply drop in your own content, and you’re using the custom theme.
For THMX files, you’ll see these in the Personal section when creating a new PowerPoint presentation. From the File > New menu, click on Personal to see your newly installed themes. Click on one of them to create a new presentation with the selected theme.
You might be accustomed to changing PowerPoint’s themes from the ribbon. Unfortunately, your Personal PowerPoint themes do not automatically show up on the ribbon. You’ll need to specifically add the themes to PowerPoint’s ribbon to make them accessible.
To add PowerPoint themes to the Design tab, click on the drop-down arrow on the right side of the Themes section. Choose Browse for Themes and browse to your custom .THMX files. After applying new templates to your existing PowerPoint, choose Save Current Theme.
Now, your custom PowerPoint themes will be available on PowerPoint’s ribbon. Simply click on the thumbnail to choose the new theme design you’d like to apply quickly.
Where to Get Download PowerPoint Themes
Downloading new PowerPoint templates helps set your presentation apart. Building your own themes is possible, but it’s often more efficient to focus on research and content creation.
Designing cohesive and visually engaging slides can be time-consuming. Using pre-built, custom PowerPoint templates will save you significant time and provide a professional set of designs to work with.
When time is of the essence for your upcoming presentation, the best option is to purchase a professional PowerPoint template from a marketplace like Envato Elements.
Get PowerPoint Templates
To download a PowerPoint template, set the filter for PowerPoint to see only those templates. When you find one you like, downloading it is simple.
Envato Elements is a subscription-based marketplace with a compelling offer. For a low monthly fee, you get access to thousands of PowerPoint templates for all your presentation needs.
In addition, you also gain access to thousands of other design assets to elevate your presentation. From stock photos to unique fonts, Envato Elements has it all.
Download as many design assets and PowerPoint templates as you want. Customize them to meet your needs, and use them in an unlimited number of projects. Browse through our curated selections of the best PowerPoint templates:
The Benefits of Using Premium Envato Elements Templates
While you can find free PowerPoint templates by searching online, premium templates offer distinct advantages. By purchasing PowerPoint themes from reputable marketplaces like Envato Elements, you gain:
- Quality Control: The themes are reviewed by Envato, ensuring that only high-quality files are available. Each PowerPoint template also includes detailed installation and usage instructions.
- Premium Design: These are not the standard templates included with PowerPoint. Authors devote significant time to developing slide designs that stand out, helping you present your ideas effectively.
- Professional Setup: Each set of PowerPoint themes comes with a customizable setup and advanced presentation features you’d expect in a premium asset.
In short, while built-in themes offer a great start, professional templates provide your presentation with a competitive edge.
5 Premium (Quick to Use) PowerPoint Templates From Envato Elements For 2024
You’ve just learned how to change and import PowerPoint templates into an existing presentation.
Now, let’s explore some impressive premium PowerPoint templates available on Envato Elements. These templates feature modern designs and are quick and easy to customize:
1. Kanal PowerPoint Template
The Kanal PowerPoint template boasts a modern and fresh design suitable for any presentation type. It includes both PPT and PPTX files along with 68 creatively designed slides and over 100 custom icons.
2. Aporesh Modern PowerPoint Template
The Aporesh template is ideal for finance or nature-related presentations. It features a minimal design with a green color scheme, offering 150+ slides, five color variations, and picture placeholders for easy editing. The template also includes PPT and PPTX files.
3. Grey Minimal PowerPoint Template
If you’re in search of a minimal PowerPoint template, Grey is an excellent choice. It includes five pre-made color variations and drag-and-drop image placeholders, allowing for easy customization to create stunning presentations.
4. Antivia PowerPoint Template
The Antivia template features 30 slides based on master slides, accompanied by PPTX files. With modern design elements, this template includes portfolio slides along with image placeholders and vector-based shapes.
5. Limbosan PowerPoint Template
The Limbosan template comes with a total of 30 slides based on master slides. This template features a clean design and a variety of slide layouts, including custom vector shapes and image placeholders. The file includes PPTX files.
Discover More Great PowerPoint Templates
The above selection is just a small sampling of the PowerPoint templates available on Envato Elements. If you’re looking for more inspiration or different PowerPoint styles, check out these articles: