#Microsoft365 #Office365 #PowerPoint Everyone knows I LOVE PowerPoint, I even had a Powerpuff girl tattooed on my arm and called her PowerPoint Zoom. I’ve (incorrectly) used PowerPoint for years to design some crazy graphics that I used on my sites etc. Yes, there are programs more suited for this (the new Windows Paint 3D is amazing), but I was stubborn and refused to buy or learn how to use other software. I’m SO glad. 🙂

 

For previous posts in my #Microsoft365Challenge go to the index page.

DISCLAIMER:  I WRITE ARTICLES ABOUT OFFICE / MICROSOFT 365. CONTENT IS ACCURATE AT TIME OF PUBLICATION, HOWEVER UPDATES AND NEW ADDITIONS HAPPEN DAILY WHICH COULD CHANGE THE ACCURACY OR RELEVANCE. PLEASE KEEP THIS IN MIND WHEN USING MY BLOGS AS GUIDELINES.

I’ve written previous posts about the Designer in PowerPoint, but as you know, Office 365 brings us updates and new features on a regular basis. Sometimes the apps we use changes ‘right in front of our eyes’. It is something to get used to, but put effort in to try out new features and Microsoft / Office 365 will enable you to be the rock-star you should be.

PowerPoint Designer

PowerPoint Designer improves your slides by automatically generating design ideas that you can choose from. While you’re putting content on a slide, Designer works in the background to match that content to professionally designed layouts.

I will admit, didn’t like this much in the beginning. I’m an OCD, control freak. I’d rather spend hours doing something I know I can do on my own. Don’t want no computer making decisions for me (yup, that’s a Generation X speaking right there!!)  🙁

I was SO wrong. When I eventually tried this I was blown away by how fast it offers me different designs to pick from and HOW much time it saves me.

It’s real simple to use:

  1. Add maximum 4 images to a (standard) slide which has the banner / content parts on

  2. If it doesn’t start doing it’s magic on its own, go to Designs Tab > Design Ideas

  3. Select the design you like

  4. If the designs don’t render, take a look at the size of your images, I’ve found that images too big don’t work (might also be cause I’m stuck in South Africa and work on an ADSL slower than an old dial up at times.

See below examples that was rendered in seconds:

Design Idea Example 1:

Design Idea Example 2:

Design Idea Example 3:

Design Idea Example 4:

Design Idea Example 5:

Design Idea Example 6:

Design Idea Example 7:

Design Idea Example 8:

Other Resources:

What’s new in PowerPoint 2016 for Windows

Other PowerPoint Designer Blogs

Create professional slide layouts with PowerPoint Designer

Purpose of this blog challenge:  I will write 365 blogs in 365 days around Microsoft 365. I did a similar challenge with Office 365, blogs can be found here. I won’t just be talking about the new Microsoft 365 subscription model. I will be sharing any news, tips and tricks around Office / Office 365 / Windows / Mobility and Security. And let’s not forget all the great new Apps & services available.  A lot of what I’ll share on Office and SharePoint will also be applicable to none “Office 365” versions.