Creating Slides and Choosing Layouts

Build slides with appropriate layouts, placeholders and a logical sequence.

What you will learn

• Add duplicate delete and rearrange slides
• Choose layouts that match the content
• Use placeholders without damaging the design

Before you begin

Use a practice presentation and non-sensitive sample information. PowerPoint versions can place commands differently, so use the ribbon search box when a named command is not immediately visible. Save before making major changes.

Work with slides

Use New Slide to add a slide and select a layout that fits its purpose. Duplicate a slide when structure should stay consistent, and delete only after confirming the correct thumbnail.

Drag thumbnails to rearrange slides. Slide Sorter gives a broader view when the presentation becomes longer.

Choose useful layouts

Title Slide introduces the presentation. Title and Content works for many explanations, while comparison and picture layouts support specific structures.

Choose the layout before manually adding text boxes. Built-in placeholders keep alignment and accessibility more consistent.

Keep the sequence clear

Each slide should advance one main idea. Use section headers when the topic changes and make the conclusion answer the presentation purpose.

Review only the slide titles as an outline. If the story is unclear, rearrange or rewrite titles before polishing details.

Guided practice

1. Create a title slide and three content slides.
2. Apply a different suitable layout to one slide.
3. Duplicate a slide, move it, then remove the extra copy.

Knowledge check

1. What is the benefit of a built-in placeholder?
2. Which view helps rearrange many slides?
3. How can slide titles test the presentation sequence?

Completion standard

Continue when you can complete the guided practice and explain the knowledge-check answers in your own words.