When you first start PowerPoint, you are greeted with the following window,
The forth option is self-explanatory. Let's explore the three options above it for
creating a new presentation.
is
probably the best option if you want maximum help creating your presentation. The
AutoContent wizard will ask you a few questions about the presentation you are creating
and then generate the skeleton of your presentation including 8-10 slides. Your job then is to add the content for
your specific presentation. This is probably the best option if your presentation fits one
of the predefined types (Project Overview, Selling Your Idea, Business Plan, etc).
The next option gets you started without any sample slides, but with a design template defined for all new slides you
create. A design template specifies such things as format, style, and color. Here is an
example of a slide from a presentation using the design template Fireball,
The last option for creating a new presentation gives you maximum control. When you select this
option and click
PowerPoint
starts with no sample slides and no design template set. The slides you create will be
plain:
That explains your options when you first start PowerPoint, but what about when you want to create a new presentation after PowerPoint has been started?
While PowerPoint is running, selecting the toolbar button is the same as
above.
Selecting the menu option File/New... brings up the following dialog box,
Notice the icon in the upper left-hand corner for the AutoContent Wizard. Selecting
this icon is the same as selecting the option above. The other options under the Presentations tab
will create a sample presentation for the type of presentation selected.
The Presentation Designs tab lists design templates. The options on this tab are the
same options you will see when you select the option above.
The following animation shows how to create a new presentation with a specific design template set,
Notice that when you are selecting a template a thumbnail size image of a sample slide is shown in the preview window on the right.