Family Tree Presentation in PowerPoint

Whether for pleasure or a school activity, creating a family tree can be rewarding.

Learn, step-by-step, two ways to create a family tree PowerPoint slide.

Here’s a fun project for yourself or your child: create your family tree! If you want a visually appealing family tree, a family tree template for PowerPoint is a great place to start.

Creating a family tree can be a fulfilling activity, whether it’s for personal enjoyment or an educational assignment. In this tutorial, you will learn how to make a family tree presentation in PowerPoint, using two different methods:

1. By using a PowerPoint feature called SmartArt
2. By using shapes and lines in PowerPoint

Additionally, I’ll share some family tree templates for PowerPoint that will give you a head start on your project.

Why Use PowerPoint to Make a Family Tree?

PowerPoint stands out as an ideal tool for creating family trees due to its versatile features.

Versatility of Creation

PowerPoint allows you to create any type of family tree. You can design a text-based tree or incorporate photos and icons. Furthermore, you have the option to animate your family tree and share it with family members and friends online.

User-Friendly Interface

Even if you are new to PowerPoint, its intuitive interface makes it easy to learn basic features quickly, allowing you to start your project without unnecessary hurdles.

Access to Templates

PowerPoint offers many templates that can help you get started. This means that even if you lack graphic design skills, you can still create an impressive family tree presentation.

Find a Great PowerPoint Template in Elements

A fantastic resource for family tree PowerPoint templates is Elements. With a flat subscription fee, Elements grants you unlimited downloads of PowerPoint templates.

In addition to templates, you also gain access to a variety of creative assets such as:

• Family tree templates for PowerPoint
• Fonts
• Icons
• Stock photos
• And more

Elements also provides unlimited access to other assets you might need for different creative projects, like web page templates and soundtracks for your videos.

For one-off projects, GraphicRiver is an excellent alternative for PowerPoint templates. You pay only for each use of a template or creative asset, making it budget-friendly.

Now that you know where to find professionally designed PowerPoint templates, let’s dive into making your family tree!

How to Make a Family Tree in PowerPoint, Step by Step

If you’re wondering how to create a family tree in PowerPoint, keep reading for a detailed tutorial that will guide you through the process.

For this tutorial, I’ll be using the Bamboo PowerPoint template, which I chose because I was born in a tropical country.

Bamboo is one of the templates available from Envato Elements. It comes with five color variations and 30 unique slide layouts, totaling 150 slide templates. Additionally, it includes hand-drawn infographics, which are resizable and editable.

Feel free to use any template for your family tree, even if it’s not specifically designed for that purpose. Follow the steps below to create your own family tree presentation.

Please note that the screenshots in this tutorial are from Microsoft PowerPoint for Mac version 16.51; the interface may vary if you are using a different version of PowerPoint.

Prepare the Template

First, let’s prepare the template by downloading, copying it, and removing any unnecessary slides.

1. Download the Template

Begin by downloading your chosen template and saving it on your computer. From the template page on Elements, click Download and follow the instructions to save the template files.

It’s advisable to duplicate the template and work on the copy, ensuring you have the original files available if needed.

2. Select Your Slide Layout

Switch to Slide Sorter view to see all the slides at a glance.

Delete any slides you won’t use, along with extraneous text boxes and images.

Here’s what the original slide template looks like:

And here’s how it looks after removing the unnecessary items:

Now that we have our prepared “canvas,” we can create the family tree.

Method One: SmartArt

The first method to create a family tree involves using PowerPoint’s SmartArt feature.

1. Launch SmartArt

Go to Insert > SmartArt > Hierarchy.

By default, an Organization Chart will be inserted on the slide. You can modify this chart and change the style later.

2. Delete All but One of the SmartArt Shapes

To simplify your work, delete all but the top shape of the SmartArt. Select a shape and click the Delete button.

The remaining shape will represent you in the family tree.

3. Add Shapes and Text to Build Out Your Family Tree

To add text, double-click inside the shape and type a name.

Next, add two shapes below the first one for your parents. Right-click the first shape, then click Add Shape > Add Shape Below.

Enter the names into each shape. If double-clicking within a shape does not allow you to type, click the arrow to expand the SmartArt Text tab, where you can type your text.

You can use the arrows in the SmartArt Text tab to adjust the shapes accordingly.

Continue adding until all necessary shapes are in place, ensuring each shape contains the correct name.

4. Modify the Colors, Fonts, and Slide Objects

Once you have all your shapes and text, customize the colors and fonts. Select a shape, then go to the Home tab to change the font and fill color.

At this point, you can also edit other elements on the slide, such as the title and background graphic.

Here’s my completed family tree!

Once your family tree is finalized, you can switch the SmartArt style while retaining all the content you’ve added.

For example, you might choose a style that incorporates images:

You can learn more about using SmartArt here .

If you prefer more control over the design, there’s another method available.

Method Two: Shapes and Lines

Another way to create a family tree in PowerPoint is by inserting shapes, text, and lines. This method provides more control over each component of the family tree.

Follow the earlier steps to download and duplicate your PowerPoint template, then start building your family tree using shapes, text, and lines.

1. Add a Shape and Text

From the Home tab, click on the Shapes button and select a shape you wish to use.

Double-click inside the shape to enter a name and format the text as desired.

2. Build Out the Family Tree

Copy and paste the first shape to create the rest of the elements in your family tree. Utilize PowerPoint’s built-in guides by going to View > Guides > Guides. You can also enable Snap to Grid for alignment.

Use the Shape Format tab to modify the color and borders of the shapes.

3. Link Shapes With Lines

After completing the shapes and text, connect them using lines. Click on the Shapes button to choose a line style; for example, the Elbow Connector line type.

Repeat this process for the remaining parts of your family tree. Here’s my completed family tree using shapes, text, and lines:

Some of the Best Family-Oriented PowerPoint Templates

In this tutorial, I utilized the Bamboo PowerPoint template to create my family tree. You can use either SmartArt or shapes and lines on any template to design your family tree.

However, if you want a family-themed PowerPoint template, here are some premium options available on Envato Elements:

1. Families - PowerPoint Template

The Families PowerPoint template offers five premade color variations and 30 unique slide layouts for each. This package includes hand-crafted infographics and graphics that are resizable and editable directly in PowerPoint—no need for additional software.

2. Family Album PowerPoint Template

The Family Album template is ideal for image-rich presentations. It features 32 master slide layouts in both standard (4:3) and widescreen (16:9) formats. Editing the master slides allows you to make global changes easily.

3. Family - PowerPoint Template

The Family PowerPoint template provides versatility for various presentations. Each of its five color variations includes 30 slide layouts, totaling 150 slides, along with editable illustrations and graphics that can be easily replaced.

If you’re budget-conscious, we’ve also compiled some of the best free family tree PowerPoint templates available.

Top Tips for Making a Family Tree

Creating a family tree can be a fulfilling endeavor, but it requires effort. The research alone can be time-consuming, so it’s essential for your family tree to be both visually appealing and meaningful. Here are three tips to enhance your project:

1. Pick a Meaningful Theme

When choosing a PowerPoint template, the options can be overwhelming. Narrow your choices by selecting a theme that holds special meaning for you and your family. For instance, I chose the Bamboo template due to its significance in my upbringing in Asia.

2. Use Family Photos

Incorporating photographs adds a personal touch to the family tree. While it may take some effort to gather and format these images, the final result will be worthwhile.

To achieve your desired layout, consider learning how to work with images on PowerPoint.

3. Don’t Keep It to Yourself

Sharing your family tree with relatives can enhance the experience. PowerPoint offers many ways to share your creation, including exporting it as a digital image, sharing via email, posting online, or printing it for framing. You could even have your design printed on various physical products, adding animated effects, or exporting it as a video for online sharing.

The possibilities are endless!