Create a Word Cloud in PowerPoint

In the age of information, showing data has become as important as collecting it.

Those who are able to turn large amounts of data into easy-to-understand ideas are the ones pushing the game forward.

At the end of the day, plain data fails to motivate decisions as much as clear insights do. That’s where powerful visual tools such as word clouds step in. We’re here to tell you all about them.

What is a word cloud?

Word clouds are visual representations of the most frequent keywords within a text; the larger the word in the cloud, the more it appears in the text.

By feeding a specific text to a word cloud generator, you’ll receive a graphic representation of the most relevant words based on their frequency.

Some benefits of using word clouds in your slideshow

Using a word cloud in your slideshow is a smart presentation technique with numerous benefits:

• Simplify: Word clouds can break down complex data into key points that are easy to grasp at a quick glance.
• Memorability: People will retain more information when it’s presented in a visually engaging way.
• Authority: Showing real proof of the relevant topics within a text enhances credibility.

A great feature of this tool is that you can customize your word cloud to communicate your message to your audience more effectively.

What types of words can you use to create your word cloud?

When building a word cloud, remember that not all words included by the generator will be key to your presentation. For starters, common words such as “and” or “the” will likely appear frequently, so it’s better to filter them out from the outset.

Another recommendation is to keep both your audience and your topic in mind when selecting the words that will appear in your cloud. For instance, if you’re working on a marketing presentation, terms like “consumer,” “product,” and “brand” would be essential. Alternatively, for a home decor presentation, words like “wallpaper,” “beige,” and “velvet” make sense.

Finally, consider the number of words you’ll include in your word cloud. Strike a balance between the available space on your slide and the depth of your text. To create a compelling and clear impression, aim for a range of 15 to 25 words.

How to make a word cloud in PowerPoint

Now it’s time to get started on creating your word cloud in PowerPoint:

• Step 1: Open PowerPoint and create a new slide.
• Step 2: Select the “Insert” tab in the top menu.
• Step 3: Choose “Word Cloud” from the menu options.
• Step 4: Select, type, or paste the text source you want to analyze.
• Step 5: Pick the style and color palette for your word cloud.
• Step 6: Click “Insert” to finalize your word cloud.

As mentioned earlier, the word cloud generated by the tool is just the starting point. From this rough draft, you can remove irrelevant words, adjust the font size and color of each word, and even add images or shapes.

How to add colors, shapes, fonts, or animation to your word cloud

PowerPoint allows you to customize your word cloud to fit the theme and flow of your presentation. Simple modifications, such as changing the color and font, can enhance the perception and understanding of your presentation.

To adjust the color of your word cloud, click on the “Format” tab to select a color scheme, as well as a background and font color.

The “Shape Effects” tab enables you to change the shape of your word cloud by adding bevels, shadows, and reflections.

By clicking on individual words, you can adjust their font to draw special attention to them.

Finally, you can animate your word cloud to add a dynamic element to your presentation and keep your audience engaged. Just click on the “Animations” tab and choose your preferred animation effect.

Tips to consider when creating a word cloud

To create the perfect word cloud for your presentation, keep these key tips in mind:

1. Ensure that the words you include in your word cloud are relevant to your topic.
2. Be mindful of the number of words; avoid overcrowding.
3. Customize your word cloud through color, font, and shape to maximize the impact of your message.

Conclusion

Visualizing data in a compelling way has become more important than ever. A word cloud is not only easy to create but also effective for highlighting the main points of a substantial text source. With the customization tools that PowerPoint offers, you can fine-tune your word cloud to make a significant impact on your audience. Embrace the power of word clouds in your next slideshow and let the data do all the talking!