Create and Format Maps in PowerPoint

One of the biggest challenges when making a presentation is talking about data.

To make it as less tedious as possible and easy to understand, it is preferable to use visual resources instead of text. Map infographics are representations that, at a glance, help us assimilate data better and faster.

Why Use Map Infographics?

You can use maps to add geolocation of data to your presentation. They are particularly useful for geography and history teachers, as well as for international and business presentations, explaining data about different countries, expansion plans, or even defining the size of your market.

Other contexts where you can apply maps include languages, tourism (to draw a travel route), and addressing territorial or international policies.

Infographic maps offer great advantages for your presentation, as they represent information more clearly. Being visual resources, they also make the slide easier to read and more attractive, which helps capture the attention of your audience.

If you combine maps with icons (which we will explain how to insert later), you will enhance the accessibility of your presentation, since icons are universally understood.

Pro tip: Creating your own map may not be the fastest option. At Slidesgo, we have the solution! We’ve curated a multitude of free PowerPoint map infographics that you can easily download and edit to suit your needs. These templates come in various styles and resources that will inspire you to choose the option that best fits your presentation.

Insert a Map into Your Presentation

Once you have selected the Slidesgo template that interests you, download it by clicking on the “PowerPoint” button and open it. Now you can start editing!

If you need to insert a map infographic into another PowerPoint file, select the map you want, copy it, and paste it into the desired slide. You can then move and adjust it as needed. Here’s an example:

Modify Your Map Colors

You can adapt your map infographic to your preferred color scheme. We recommend using the theme colors to maintain the style and harmony of your presentation.

Select the area of the map you wish to modify, click on the Shape Fill option, and choose your desired color. Et voilà!

You can follow this same process to change the background color of the slide by selecting the slide instead of the map.

Insert and Modify Text on the Map

While map infographics are visually appealing, sometimes they require short texts to help your audience follow the topic.

To insert text, go to the slide where you want to add it, click on the Insert tab in the toolbar, and select Text Box. Choose the area for placement and draw the desired size with your mouse. Now you can write the information and format it, adjusting size, color, font, alignment, etc. Here’s how:

Pro tip: You can also add internal and external links. Select the text you want to link, go to the Insert tab, click on Hyperlink, and paste the desired link.

If you want to create a bookmark that leads to another slide in your presentation, click on Insert - Hyperlink. Select Bookmark, and a list of slides will appear. Choose the slide you want to link to and click OK.

Add and Change Icons on the Map

Icons are another valuable graphic resource for minimizing text. You can use them to contextualize the data on your map slides.

At the end of Slidesgo templates, you will find slides with alternative icon resources. Select the most representative icons for the information you need to explain. Copy it, go to the slide where you want to insert it, and paste it.

Now you can move the icon to your desired location and change its color if needed. Select the icon, go to the Format section in the toolbar, click on Shape Fill, and choose your preferred color.

Finally, if you plan to use multiple icons, consider including a brief legend on the side of the slide to explain their meanings. Keep it concise to avoid distracting from other elements.

Now you know how to insert and edit map infographics for PowerPoint! Enjoy implementing these techniques in your presentations.

Tags

Infographics & Charts{.px-3 .h-7 .inline-flex .items-center .mr-2 .mb-2 .rounded .border .border-gray-300 .text-base .text-gray-700 .hover:text-gray-900 .hover:border-gray-900}